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Appendix 2: Developing a Preservation Strategy for Cellulose Acetate

When developing a strategy for preserving collections on cellulose acetate, an institution will need to consider the condition of the material, its value or significance (which has a bearing on whether or not an item is to be retained and preserved indefinitely), as well as its use. The order in which these are done is not important.

It is desirable to segregate deteriorated cellulose acetate to avoid contamination of other material.

The following table illustrates one method that might be used to categorise collection material and identify appropriate preservation strategies for each category. (In this example, material has been divided into only two categories in terms of value or significance. If required, this table could easily be modified to include extra categories, such as a 'medium value' option.)

Identify Material Cellulose Acetate
Assessment of
Value/Significance
High Value Low Value
Condition
Assessment
AD>2
deteriorated
AD<2
not yet
deteriorated
AD>2
deteriorated
AD<2
not yet
deteriorated
Access
Requirements
high low high low high low high low
Formulate strategy A B C D E F G H

A:

Material in this category is of high value or significance, has passed the autocatalytic point, and is frequently accessed. One strategy for preserving this material might be to copy it as fast as possible (it should probably be placed into freezer storage with no access allowed until it can be copied). After the material has been copied, users may access the copy. The original could then be frozen to arrest further deterioration.

B:

Material in this category is of high significance, has passed the autocatalytic point, but is infrequently accessed. To arrest further decay in deteriorated material, it might be frozen at -18ºC. As this will make access difficult, institutions may choose to deny access altogether, to make a copy only when the material is requested by a user, or to copy prior to placing the material into freezer storage. The total volume of material in this category may be important in determining the strategy adopted.

C:

Material in this category is of high value, is not yet severely deteriorated, but is frequently accessed. Institutions may choose to copy this material before deterioration becomes more serious, and to refer users to the copy. The originals might then be cold stored, or placed in freezer storage.

D:

The material is of high value, has not yet passed the autocatalytic point and is infrequently accessed. For example, this material might be placed in cold storage with low relative humidity.

E:

This material has been categorised as being of low value, has deteriorated beyond the autocatalytic point, and is frequently accessed. Institutions might decide to copy the material, and to either discard originals (following quality control procedures), or to segregate them from other material.

F:

For low value, deteriorated and infrequently accessed material, institutions may decide to use cold storage (taking care to segregate deteriorated material to avoid contamination), copy and discard, or simply discard, depending on how significant and how deteriorated the material is.

G:

Low value, not yet deteriorated, high access: Institutions might choose any of a range of strategies depending on available funds.

H:

Low value, not yet deteriorated, and low access needs: this category should be the last to be dealt with, as funds permit.


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