Penn State University Libraries - Preservation Treatment for Newspapers

Preservation Treatment for Newspapers

Crease and Fold Release Treatment for Newspapers

Supplies and Tools

• Solution of 50% ethyl alcohol (95% proof) and 50% distilled water
• Artist's brush or cotton swab
• Blotting paper cut into wide strips

Instructions

• Dip the brush or swab into the solution.
• Remove excess solution from the brush or swab.
• Brush the solution along a crease.
• Unfold just far enough to brush along the inner fold.
• Place unfolded crease between two strips of blotting paper.
• Press out remaining solution.

Humidification Chamber for Newspapers

Supplies

• Plastic storage tub with tight-fitting lid
  • Large enough to accommodate an unfolded newspaper without it touching the sides of the tub
  • Deep enough to accommodate the paper, the grid, and the reservoirs.
    

• Plastic grid
  • Use a light diffuser panel used to cover fluorescent lights in drop-ceilings.
  • Cut to fit the size of the tub.
• 4 reservoirs
  • Use plastic food storage containers.
  • Fill with room temperature water to reduce condensation inside the the chanber.
• Blotting paper
  • Cut slightly larger than the unfolded newspaper.
    

Instructions

• Assemble the humidification chamber
  
  • Set reservoirs in four corners of tub bottom.
  • Lay plastic grid on top of reservoirs.
  • Lay newspaper on top of grid.
  • Put the lid on the tub.
• Check the progress periodically
  • Humidifying tiem will vary
  • Do not leave the lid off for long, or the humid air will escape, and this will prolong the humidification process.
  • When the newspaper is ready to remove, it will tay unfolded or unrolled on its own, and it may feel cool and slightly damp.
• Once the newspaper has relaxed, dry it between two sheets of blotting paper.

Surface Cleaning of Newspapers

Tools

• Soft brush (cosmetic or artist)
• Plastic eraser (white, non-abrasive vinyl)
• Sand paper
• Kneaded rubber eraser

Instructions

• Do not attempt to clean very brittle, fragile papers.
• Use gentle techniques and the least amount of pressure.
• Test a small area to be sure it will nto smudge or be removed by the cleaning process.
• Work on a clean flat surface.
• Use brush to remove loose dirt by sweeping brush slowly and gently over surface.
• Start at the middle and work toward the edges, brushing in one direction and in a straight line.
• Gently rub the soiled paper with the plastic eraser in a small, circular motion.
• To clean around tears, rub the eraser parallel to the tear, in one direction.
• To clean along edges, rub the eraser in a single direction, moving from the paper onto the work surface.
• As dirt is picked up by the eraser, clean the eraser by rubbing it across a sheet of sand paper.
• Use the kneaded rubber eraser to press and lift the dirt from the paper, and then knead the soiled part back into the rest of the rubber material.
• Use brush to remove bits of eraser from the paper and to keep work area under and around the paper clean.
• Clean and dry the brush completely before re-use.
• Do not over clean a document.

Archival Tape Repairs

Archival Tape Characteristics

• Non-aging
• Non-yellowing
• Permanant
• Elastic
• pH-neutral adhesive
• Extremely thin
• Transparent

Instructions

• Use small pieces of tape 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide.
• Strategically tack the tear by placing small pieces in blank spaces between columns or in ads.
• Do not use long continuous strips of tape.

For more information:

http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/localrecs/conservation/notes/surfacecleaning.asp

http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/iocalrecs/conservation/notes/humidification.asp