Priority: Prolonged storage in water causes leaching of chemicals from the support. If a back-up copy is available, it is better to discard the water-soaked original.
Handling Store diskettes upright without crowding, in cool distilled water until you are
Precautions: ready to attempt data recovery. Exposure to water should not extend beyond 72 hrs. If discs cannot be dried and copied within three days, the discs should be placed wet in plastic bags and frozen until drying and data recovery is possible.
Supplies Needed
blotter paper bubble pack brushes (soft bristle) cheese cloth clothes line dehumidifier
distilled water Falcon squeegee drying racks for RC prints fans plastic bags Kodak Photo Flo solution plastic trays rust-proof clips Salthill dryer
scissors sponges
Preparation 5¼" disks - remove the disk by cutting with scissors along the edge of jacket. Carefully
For Drying: remove the diskette and agitate the exposed disks in multiple baths of cool deionized water from the Objects Conservation Lab or distilled water to remove all visible dirt.
3½" disks - pack wet disks in plastic bags and ship overnight to a computer media recovery service vendor for data recovery (Appendix 4). Do not dry discs first: dried impurities can etch magnetic coating.
Drying 5¼" disks - dry with lint-free toweling or cheese cloth. 3½" disks - Send disks
Methods: to a professional data recovery vendor. Do not attempt to copy. Damage to your hardware could result.
Data In order to ensure the preservation of data on disks that have been wet, it is prudent to
Recovery: copy it to a new disk. Insert the disk which has been dried into an empty jacket made by removing a new disk. The water damaged disk which has been placed in the new jacket is inserted into a disk drive. Copy and verify that the information has transferred, then discard the damaged disk. You need only prepare one new jacket for each five to ten disks since the same jacket can be reused several times. Most diskettes can be salvaged unless the diskette itself is magnetically damaged or warped. If copying is not successful, consult computer recovery services in Appendix 4.
CONSERVATOR TO CALL: Sherelyn Ogden backup: Bob Herskovitz Conservation Manager Outreach Conservator W: 651-259-3380 W: 651-259-3465
H: H:
SALVAGE OF WATER DAMAGED COLLECTIONS
MAGNETIC MEDIA: REEL TO REEL TAPES
Priority: Air dry within 72 hours.Handling Pack vertically into plastic crates or cardboard cartons. Don't put heavy weight Precautions: or pressure on the sides of the reels.
Supplies Needed
blotter paper bubble pack brushes (soft bristle) cheese cloth clothes line dehumidifier
distilled water Falcon squeegee drying racks for RC prints fans plastic bags Kodak Photo Flo solution plastic trays rust-proof clips Salthill dryer
scissors sponges
Preparation Often contamination by water and other substances is mainly confined to the outermost
For Drying: layers of tape. Do not unwind tapes or remove from the reel. In these cases, wash the exposed edges with deionized water from the Objects Conservation or Photo Labs or with distilled water.
Drying Air dry by supporting the reels vertically or by laying the reels on sheets of clean
Methods: blotter. Leave the tapes to dry next to their original boxes. Use fans to keep air moving without blowing directly on the items.
Use portable dehumidifiers to slowly remove moisture from the area/objects. Bring relative humidity down to 50%.
Additional Once dry, the tapes can be assessed for further cleaning and duplication. This
Steps: procedure is done by specialized professional vendors; consult Appendix 4 for names and numbers. CONSERVATOR TO CALL: Sherelyn Ogden backup: Bob Herskovitz
Conservation Manager Outreach Conservator W: 651-259-3380 W: 651-259-3465
H: H:
backup: Steve Cunat
Microfilm Project Director
W:651-259-3395
SALVAGE OF WATER DAMAGED COLLECTIONS
MICROFICHE
Priority: Freeze or dry within 72 hours
Handling Do not move items until a place has been prepared to receive them and you have
Precautions: been instructed to do so. If the fiche cannot be air dried immediately keep them wet inside a container lined with garbage bags until they can be frozen.
Supplies Needed
blotter paper bubble pack brushes (soft bristle) cheese cloth clothes line dehumidifier
distilled water Falcon squeegee drying racks for RC prints fans plastic bags Kodak Photo Flo solution plastic trays rust-proof clips Salthill dryer
scissors sponges
Drying Freeze if arrangements cannot be made to air dry the fiche quickly. Fiche should
Methods: be removed from the paper jackets to dry. Jackets should be retained to preserve any information printed on them, but this information should be transferred to new jackets once the fiche is dry and ready to be stored again. The best air drying method is to clip the fiche to clothes lines with rust-proof clips.
Fiche has been successfully vacuum freeze dried, though freeze-drying of photographic materials is not widely recommended. If dealing with large quantities of fiche this option should be investigated. CONSERVATOR TO CALL: Sherelyn Ogden backup: Bob Herskovitz
Conservation Manager Outreach Conservator W: 651-259-3380 W: 651-259-3465
H: H:
backup: Steve Cunat
Microfilm Project Director
W: 651-259-3395
SALVAGE OF WATER DAMAGED COLLECTIONS
MICROFILM AND MOTION PICTURE FILM
Priority: Rewash and dry within 72 hours. Wet film must be kept wet until it can be reprocessed. Handling Wipe outside of film cans or boxes before opening. Cans that are wet on the
Precautions: outside may contain dry film that should be separated from wet material. Do not remove wet microfilm from boxes; hold cartons together with rubber bands. Dry film in damp or wet boxes should be removed and kept together with the box. Do not move items until a place has been prepared to receive them.
Packing Wet microfilm in plastic trays in the microfilm vault should be filled with water
Methods: until reprocessed. Pack wet motion picture film in a container lined with plastic garbage bags.
Supplies Needed
blotter paper bubble pack brushes (soft bristle) cheese cloth clothes line dehumidifier
distilled water Falcon squeegee drying racks for RC prints fans plastic bags Kodak Photo Flo solution plastic trays rust-proof clips Salthill dryer
scissors sponges
Preparation Microfilm Lab or film processor to rewash film prior to drying. For Drying:
Drying MHS Microfilm Lab to rewash and dry microfilm. A professional processor should be Methods: contacted to rewash and dry motion picture film.
CONTACTS:
Microfilm Sherelyn Ogden backup: Bob Herskovitz
Conservation Manager W:651-259-3465
W: 651-259-3380 H:
H:
backup: Steve Cunat
Microfilm Project Director
W: 651-259-3395
H:
Motion Sherelyn Ogden backup: Bob Herskovitz Picture Film Conservation Manager W: 651-259-3465
W: 651-259-3380 H:
H:
backup: Jennifer Jones
W: 651-259-3246
SALVAGE OF WATER DAMAGED COLLECTIONS
ORGANICS: BONE, HAIR, HORN, IVORY, SHELL
Priority: Begin drying within 48 hours to prevent mold growth.Handling Move items only after a place has been prepared to receive them. Precautions:
Packing Individually wrap or plastic bag objects since these materials tend to split and Method: fragment into small pieces when wet or damp.
Supplies Needed
plastic sheeting or bags clear water sponges, clean towels, paper towels, portable dehumidifier fans or unused newsprint
pallets or lumber
Preparation Rinse or sponge with clear water to remove mud or dirt before drying. For Drying:
Drying Sponges, clean towels, paper towels, or unused newsprint may be used to absorb Procedure: excess moisture.
Air dry slowly, using fans to keep air moving without blowing directly on the pieces. Raise items off the floor on trestles, pallets, or lumber to allow air to circulate underneath the items.
Use portable dehumidifiers to slowly remove moisture from the area/objects. Bring relative humidity down to 50%.
CONSERVATOR TO CALL: Paul Storch backup: Tom Braun
Objects Conservator Objects Conservator W: 651-259-3381 W: 651-259-3382
SALVAGE OF WATER DAMAGED COLLECTIONS
PAINTINGS: ON CANVAS
Priority: Begin drying within 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
Handling Move items only after a place has been prepared to receive them. If the frame
Precautions: is unstable, remove from painting, pad corners with corrugated cardboard, bubble wrap, or unused newsprint and transport to area dealing with wood objects.
Packing Pad corners of frame or painting with corrugated cardboard, bubble wrap, or
Method: newsprint. Transport paintings vertically; stand upright with corrugated cardboard between paintings so that painted surfaces do not touch a rough surface.
Supplies Needed
blotter paper fans corrugated cardboard, bubble wrap, stretch/strainer portable dehumidifier or unused newsprint
Preparation Remove painting from frame: See PAPER: FRAMED OR MATTED, For Drying: PREPARATION FOR DRYING.
Drying Prepare a horizontal bed of blotter paper and unused newsprint, equal in thickness
Procedure: to the paint layer, with top-most layer of strong clean tissue. Lay painting, still on stretcher/strainer, face down on this surface. Remove any remaining backing or labels from the painting, to expose wet canvas. Retain and tag all associated labels, parts and/or components that are removed or detached from the painting or frame.
Place cut-to-fit blotters or unused newsprint against this back, and apply a slight amount of pressure so that the blotter makes good contact with the entire exposed canvas surface. Repeatedly change backing blotter, being careful not to create impressions in the canvas. DO NOT CHANGE FACING MATERIALS.
When dry to the touch, remove backing blotter and pick up painting. If front facing tissue is still attached to painting front, do not attempt to remove it, since it will hold the painting surface together until it can be consolidated by a conservator.
Consult with an MHS conservator for any questions or problems and all circumstances not adequately covered by the above instructions.
Use fans to keep air moving in the room without blowing directly on the paintings. Use portable dehumidifiers to slowly remove moisture from the area/objects. Bring relative humidity down to 50%. CONSERVATOR TO CALL: Paul Storch backup: Sherelyn Ogden
Objects Conservator Conservation Manager W: 651-259-3381 W: 651-259-3380
H: H:
backup: Tom Braun
Objects Conservator
W: 651-259-3382
SALVAGE OF WATER DAMAGED COLLECTIONS
PAPER: COATED
(page 1 of 2)[Including linen drawings (drafting cloth) and paper with sensitized coatings such as thermo fax and FAX copies.] Priority: Coated paper must not be allowed to air dry in a clump or it will permanently block together. If
saturated, freeze within six hours for subsequent vacuum freeze-drying. If damp, separate and air dry before items have an opportunity to dry.
Handling Physical manipulation should be kept to a minimum to avoid disruption of the Precautions: water soluble coating and media which can result in loss of information.
Preparation Air Drying - Secure a clean, dry environment where the temperature and humidity are as
For Drying: low as possible. Equipment needed: flat surfaces for drying; fans and extension cords; dehumidifier; moisture meter; sheets of polyester film, non-stick interleaving material such as freezer, waxed or silicone release paper or polyester non-woven fabric.
Freezing - Equipment needed: milk crates; cardboard boxes for large items; large flat supports such as bread trays or pieces of plywood; freezer, waxed or silicone release paper or polyester non-woven fabric.
Remove drawers from flat files; ship and freeze stacked with 1" x 2" strips of wood between each drawer. Framed or matted items must be removed from frames and mats prior to drying. See PAPER: FRAMED OR MATTED, PREPARATION FOR DRYING.
Supplies Needed
bread trays blotter paper bookends/bricks dehumidifier extension cords freezer or waxed paper
fans masking tape Hollytex (polyester spunbond fabric) plywood sheets scissors newsprint (sheets or rolls)
polyethylene film plexiglass sheets pliers, screw driver, tin snips sponges polyester film milk crates or Rescubes
silicon release paper
Drying Air Drying - This technique is most suitable for small numbers of records which
Methods: are damp or water-damaged around the edges. Coated Paper requires that each and every page be interleaved with a non-stick material such as silicone release paper, Hollytex or wax paper.
Damp material - Lay single sheets or small groups of interleaved records on paper covered flat surfaces. If small clumps of records are fanned out to dry, they should be turned at regular intervals to encourage evaporation from both sides.
If an item exhibits water-soluble media, allow it to dry face up. Do not attempt to blot the item since blotting may result in offsetting water-soluble components. Wet blotter or uninked newsprint should be changed and removed from the drying area.
PAPER: COATED
(page 2 of 2)Wet material - When separating saturated paper, use extra caution to support large sheets. If sheets are contained in flat files, standing water should be sponged out first. If items are in L-sleeves the polyester must be removed to allow drying. Cut the two sealed edges of the film between the item and the seal. Roll back the top piece of polyester in a diagonal direction. If there are any apparent problems with the paper support or media, stop and seek the assistance of a Conservator. Support can be given to single sheets by placing a piece of polyester film on the top of the document. Rub the film gently and then slowly lift the film while at the same time peeling off the top sheet in a diagonal direction. Lay the sheet flat; as it dries, it will separate from the surface of the film.
Keep the air moving at all times using fans. Direct fans into the air and away from the drying records. Use dehumidifiers as needed to maintain humidity at or below 50% RH.
Freezing - Freezing is best if there are large quantities of damp materials or if the water damage is extensive. Place manuscript boxes in milk crates or cardboard boxes. If time permits, interleave each manuscript box with freezer or waxed paper. If the boxes have been discarded, interleave every two inches of foldered material with freezer or waxed paper.
Specify vacuum freeze drying for coated paper and linen drawings; do not use vacuum thermal drying.
Pack flat sheets in bread trays, flat boxes, or on plywood sheets covered with polyethylene. Bundle rolled items loosely and place horizontally in boxes lined with a release layer.
Do not freeze framed items. Remove frame assemblage before freezing. See PAPER: FRAMED OR MATTER, PREPARATION FOR DRYING.
CONSERVATOR TO CALL: Sherelyn Ogden backup: Bob Herskovitz Conservation Manager Outreach Conservator W: 651-259-3380 W: 651-259-3465
H: H:
backup: Tim Herstein
Paper Assistant
W: 651-259-3384
SALVAGE OF WATER DAMAGED COLLECTIONS