HANDLING GUIDELINES – Help us to preserve Cumbria’s archives!
On your visit to Cumbria’s Record Offices you will have access to a wide range of unique and irreplaceable archives that illuminates our county’s history. You can play your part in helping to secure their survival for future researchers.
What we are doing!
Repeated handling of the unique records in CAS’s care gradually reduces their natural life. The most commonly used materials for old documents, such as paper, parchment and wax seals, inevitably and progressively deteriorate over time. We can, however, slow down this process very significantly by taking suitable precautions.
• We can copy fragile items onto microfilm
• We provide modern transcripts whenever possible
• We protect the documents by using special acid-free packaging and by keeping our strongrooms at the most favourable temperature and humidity
What you can do!
In the interests of preventive care you will, therefore, be asked to use microfilm copies or transcriptions whenever these are available.
Staff are here to assist and guide you when handling physically awkward items – please ask for help! Old bound volumes are caused strain when opened flat, it is essential to make use of the book cushions, book wedges and book ‘snake’ weights even when it seems ‘too late’.
We realise you may want photocopies of documents. Please bear in mind that although we will supply photocopies whenever possible, where the type and condition of the original record could result in further damage we will not be able to offer this service.
Our handling guidelines
Please help to protect the archives by following these guidelines:
• Hands should be clean and rewashed as necessary to avoid dirtying other items
• Please avoid touching the text of documents. Ask the staff for a protective sheet of transparent material (“Melinex”) to lay across documents and pages
• Always use the wedges and supports for bound volumes
• Keep items safely and securely on the table or desk
• Ask the staff for clean gloves when consulting photographic materials
• Please don’t lean on items, even when they are covered with the transparent sheets
• Ask the staff for guidance if a map tracing is required
• Ask staff for acid-free paper slips if you need to mark your place
• Please don’t place of your own belongings on or inside any of the records
• Please use a pencil to make your notes
Thank you for your effort in helping to preserve Cumbria’s archives.