But Drewes notes memorabilia often is stored in basements. A flood — or even dampness — can warp paper and photos, and break books apart. Dampness also can breed mold and mildew, which can be dangerous to inhale. Suddenly, reminiscing over old pictures can become a biohazard event.
Drewes said too many people give up and throw out paper or photos before trying to preserve damaged items. She recommends putting wet materials in a frost-free freezer.
"What that does is it buys you time — it stops the water absorption. Frost-free pulls moisture out of the content, so it will dry it and stop the mold growth. You want to save it, but you need to treat it and make sure it's safe. The best thing to do is buy yourself time to make the right decision. So many people just throw stuff out thinking nothing can be done, and that's the saddest thing."
For specific advice on preservation, see www.lib.msu.edu/apd/ under "care and handling notes."
Contact: Jeanne Drewes, assistant director for access and preservation at the MSU library, 517-432-6123, drewes@mail.lib.msu.edu; or Sue Nichols, University Relations, 517-353-8942, nichols@msu.edu
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Contact: Sue Nichols
nichols@msu.edu
517-353-8942
Michigan State University
27-May-2004