Historical Photographs bring the past into the present in a manner that words are unable to do and make the past believable as they support the study and interpretation of history. The photograph collection of the National Library of Jamaica is mainly an historical collection of Jamaica which needs to be used and handled with care in order to preserve the life of this collection.
Caring for your photograph collection at Home
- Store photographs in albums or in acid-free boxes away from direct light, pest or dust
- Store negatives separately
- Do not use ink on the photographs
- Wash you hands before handling photographs
- Do not touch the surface of the photographs
- Label photographs giving information on personalities and the setting /scene
- Try to maintain a constant temperature for the photographs
The National Library employs the following steps in the preservation of our photograph collection:
- Photographs are kept in an air-conditioned environment;
- Negatives are stored separately in individual envelopes;
- Photographs are kept in acid-free envelopes in enamel steel cabinets or in acid-free boxes;
- Restoration work on photographs is done by professionals in the Conservation Department;
- Photograph storage area is free of materials that give off harmful fumes e.g. Oil base paints, cleaning supplies and other chemicals and solvents;
- We ensure that the storage area is free of pest, dust and exposure to direct light;
- Cotton or rubber gloves are used when handling photographs;
- No pens are used on photographs;
- Digitization of older photographs is used to preserve the life of the original images.
© 2008 National Library of Jamaica
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