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This guide is an introduction to basic techniques for handling and storing small collections of newspapers. Many people collect newspapers they value due to their importance as historic artifacts, family significance, or monetary value, and which they wish to preserve for the future. The most effective and economical preservation measures are preventive: proper storage, environment, and handling. If newspapers are damaged, however, there are options to treat that damage and prolong the life of a newspaper.
Newspapers, especially old and fragile newspapers, present unique preservation challenges. From the mid-19th century onwards, newspapers have been printed on inexpensive, machine-made, wood pulp paper that was not manufactured for longevity. Due to the inherent chemical instabilities of such low-quality wood pulp papers, these papers are highly acidic and prone to swift degradation. There are, however, still measures that can be taken to preserve these ephemera for future generations.
If you think you have a historic and rare American newspaper, it is worth checking to see if has been microfilmed or digitized through the Historic American Newspapers collection 1836-1922 External at the Library of Congress or look to see if it is listed in the 1690-1922 American Newspapers DirectoryExternal, available through your local library.
Consider saving the entire newspaper, even the advertisements, before taking a clipping. You never know what will prove to be helpful for researchers!
The preservation procedures described here have been used by the Library of Congress in the care of its collections and are considered suitable by the Library as described; however, the Library will not be responsible for damage to your collection should damage result from the use of these procedures. Please note that the Library does not offer digitization, preservation, or conservation services to the public.
The following terms are frequently used throughout this guide.
Acid-free: Acid-free materials have a pH of 7 or higher. Almost all newly manufactured paper and cardboard materials are acid-free but will create acids in the future through their degradation unless they are buffered (see below).
"Archival" (only as it relates to materials used to store and house collections items): Archival is not a legally defined term. Products advertised as "archival" should be acid-free, lignin-free, and buffered. Likewise, "conservation grade" also does not have a legal definition; it should also meet the above standards.
Buffered: Materials that are buffered are treated with an alkaline substance, typically calcium carbonate, with a high pH value in order to lower the pH to below 7. This neutralizes any acids present in the materials, and buffers against any future acids that may be created through the natural aging process or through interactions with the surrounding environment.
Conservation: A practice that is concerned with the preservation of the physical artifact itself, as opposed to solely the information contained within it. This involves corrective action to treat damage as well as working to prevent it.
Lignin-free: Lignin is a component of wood, which is usually present in paper made from wood. As lignin ages, it produces a high level of acid. Paper or cardboard made from wood pulp that will be in contact with important books for the long term should have had the lignin removed for that reason.
Preservation: A holistic set of activities which preserves the information and physical condition of books and other cultural artifacts by minimizing and mitigating chemical and physical deterioration.
Preservation, conservation, and restoration are three terms which are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they refer to three interrelated but distinct approaches to handling and treating these materials.
Relative humidity: Relative humidity (abbreviated rH) is the percentage of the maximum amount of water that can be in the air at a given temperature. Most books are best stored at a stable, non-fluctuating relative humidity of no higher than 55%. Relative humidity levels above 60% risk causing warping as well as mold growth on books, and relative humidity below approximately 30% can also cause warping due to contraction. Rapidly changing humidity is also a cause for concern.
