Conservation Services
Treatment of Paper Records
The Local Records Preservation Program has Missouri’s only publicly-funded conservation laboratory. The laboratory was opened in 1991 for the treatment of paper-based records. Conservators provide treatment services for local government records in Missouri, as well as for holdings of the Missouri State Archives. The typical course of treatment includes examination, surface cleaning, removal of adhesive tape, and mending; for some documents, washing and other processes may be included. The conservation of the Dred Scott papers illustrates many of the procedures the conservators employ.
Outreach
Conservation staff provide outreach services to local government offices on all aspects of records preservation, including shelving and storage, environmental control, display, pest management, and disaster preparedness. Conservators provide workshops, train local staff members, and answer questions by phone. On occasion, the conservators make onsite assessments to help local officials identify and prioritize areas of need. Call 573-526-3866 for further information on these services.
Information Resource
The Local Records Preservation Program publishes a collection of fact sheets called Conservation Notes
- Care of Scrapbooks
- Conservation Terms
- Guidelines for Selecting Plastic Enclosures for Collections Storage
- Humidification and Flattening of Documents
- Integrated Pest Management
- Sources for Archival Supplies
- Sources for Preservation Information
- Storage and Housing of Archival Collections
- Surface-Cleaning of Paper
Printed copies are available upon request.
Local government agencies considering or planning the creation of a record center should consult the LR guidelines Preservation Concerns in Planning a Records Center for recommendations about environmental control, disaster preparedness, storage fixtures, and other preservation guidelines.
A wealth of preservation information is available on the Web, including the outstanding site at Conservation OnLine, a compilation of many organizations' publications designed for the non-specialist. The Canadian Conservation Institute's Preserving My Heritage website is full of practical guidance on preserving specific types of materials (not just documents and books, but even textiles, metals, and teddy bears).
The staff has identified many firms that provide preservation supplies and services focusing on those serving Missouri. A broader listing is available through Conservation OnLine.
Disaster Preparedness & Response
Conservators provide guidance to local officials regarding disaster preparedness and offer guidance and referrals in the event of a disaster. The Local Records Preservation Program's Disaster Planning for Vital Records includes the basis information necessary for disaster planning. Please call (573) 526-3866 for further information regarding planning and response.