Guide to Collections Care: Archival Storage of Photographic Materials

Photographs found in museums, libraries, and homes are fragile and susceptible to deterioration from fading, staining, and material instability, particularly in formats like nitrate negatives and color slides.
While this guide provides basic preservation advice for personal collectors, professionals such as photographers and archivists should seek additional resources. Consulting professional photographic conservators is essential for extensive or valuable collections; the American Institute for Conservation can help locate experts in your area.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Selecting Storage Materials

3. Standards & Testing

4. Preparing Collections

5. Storage Environment

6. Case Studies