Archives Care & Handling Rules
All readers are required to:
- Handle all original items with care at all times
- Not remove documents from bundles
- Not disturb the order of records in which they were issued
- Wear gloves when requested by reading room staff
- Ensure that hands are clean, dry and free from lotions that may stain and add to the deterioration of the records; staff may request that you wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling the records
- Not place objects on the records
- Not mark any record (do not trace, highlight or underline archival material)
- Turn folios carefully one at a time, ideally from the top right-hand corner
- Ensure that volumes are fully supported at all times; ask staff for assistance if necessary
- Do not lean on archival records when writing
- Do not use items such as “post-it” notes, cardboard, pens, pencils or memo pads to mark places in archival records; ask staff for paper flags
- Report any concern to staff
- Report any damage such as loose or torn folios, so that they can be referred for preservation treatment