Caring for your collections
A handy set of fact sheets with information about preserving, storing and protecting your collections.
Collection Care can help with information about preserving, storing and protecting your collections. Send your questions through Ask a Librarian.
If you are looking to have conservation work performed on your own collections we recommend that you contact the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM).
If you are looking to have conservation work performed on your own collections, we recommend you contact the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM). The AICCM is a national organisation for conservators and people interested in the preservation of cultural material, and provides an online directory of conservators in private practice and guidelines for commissioning conservation treatment.
Fact sheets
![Woman carefully repairing old map](/sites/default/files/styles/max_width_280/public/H_110504_MapRepair061.jpg?itok=ApxDjauO)
Care of paper-based materials
General advice on caring for paper-based materials like books, photos, documents and more.
![Conservator Lang Ngo cleaning 1870s photographic glass plate negatives from the Holtermann collection. Woman carefully repairing glass portrait](/sites/default/files/styles/max_width_280/public/DSC07474_RETOUCH.jpg?itok=HGukjp0i)
Caring for photographs
Photographs are vital visual memories that need to be protected. Here are some suggestions on how to best care for them.
![Woman removing mould from silk banner](/sites/default/files/styles/max_width_280/public/images/naigation-tiles/PRES_091023_29.jpg?itok=ydui1o1u)
Dealing with mould
Mould can not only damage paper based materials but is a significant health risk.
![Newspapers from the Library’s collection before treatment. Newpapers folded up ontop of each other](/sites/default/files/styles/max_width_280/public/images/naigation-tiles/newspapers.jpg?itok=GWPcgOhy)
Storage of newspapers
Newspapers are generally not made to last. In order to prolong their life a number of steps may be taken, the most vital of these being adequate storage.
![A conservator handling collection material. Gloved hands handling objects wrapped in brown paper and string](/sites/default/files/styles/max_width_280/public/basicpages/images/IS_140902_036_1.jpg?itok=61oZhFRf)
Smoke and odour removal
How to rescue paper based materials that have been affected by smoke or odours.