Housing and handling address the physical forces agent directly - the shocks, abrasion, crushing and mishandling that account for a large share of everyday, avoidable damage. Good enclosures provide a stable micro-environment, buffer against pollutants and RH swings, distribute mechanical load and keep the object-to-information link intact. Handling protocols protect items during the moments they are most at risk: when a human touches them.

Enclosures and materials

Use enclosures that meet recognised quality tests, chiefly the ISO 18916 Photographic Activity Test (PAT) for materials in contact with photographs, and the Oddy test for off-gassing in display and storage. Choose acid-free, lignin-free board and papers; use buffered stock for most paper and unbuffered/near-neutral for protein-based materials (photographs, parchment, wool, silk) that can be harmed by alkaline reserve.

  • Box and fold items to fit; overfilling crushes, underfilling lets contents slump.
  • Support fragile items with folders, sink mats or custom supports - never rely on the item's own strength.
  • Interleave only where needed, with tested tissue; avoid rubber bands, paper clips, pressure-sensitive tape and PVC sleeves.
  • Store large flat items horizontally in map cases; roll oversized items on wide-diameter, inert cores.

Shelving and placement

Shelve on inert, powder-coated steel, not wood (which off-gasses acids). Keep the bottom shelf clear of the floor as a flood margin, and the top shelf clear of sprinklers and pipe runs. Shelve books upright and fully supported, or flat if oversized; store rolled and folded architectural drawings appropriately rather than cramming them into standard boxes.

Handling discipline

Handling is a trained procedure. Clean, dry hands - nitrile gloves for photographs, metals and film, but bare clean hands often give better control on paper and books. Support fully, move one item at a time, use book cradles and snakes in the reading room, and use trolleys for transport. Crucially, capture location and identifiers at every move so nothing is dissociated.

In practice. Specify PAT- and Oddy-tested materials in your procurement standard so quality is not left to individual buyers. A cheap, untested enclosure can off-gas and damage its contents for decades - the false economy that undoes good climate control.

Key takeaways

  • Use tested, chemically appropriate enclosures (PAT/Oddy; buffered vs unbuffered by material).
  • Shelve on inert metal, support items fully, and keep flood/sprinkler margins clear.
  • Treat handling as a trained procedure and record every location change to prevent dissociation.

Check your understanding

Last modified: Saturday, 1 August 2026, 10:37 AM