Archival Formats
This section contains expert yet practical advice on preserving a variety of materials: photographs, negatives, and film; paper and parchment; books and scrapbooks, digital and electronic media; and audio and video tapes and motion pictures.
You can contact preservation@nara.gov with general questions on preventive care. If you need the services of a professional conservator, the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) offers a Find a Conservator tool as well as a helpful guide, How to Choose a Conservator.
Photographic Materials
Photographs
- Handling Family Papers and Photographs
- Storing Family Papers and Photographs
- Displaying Family Papers and Photographs
- Digitizing Family Papers and Photographs
- Repairing Damage to Family Papers and Photographs
- What to Do About Moldy or Insect-infested Family Papers and Photographs
- More About Caring for Family Papers and Photographs
Negatives
- What is the Best Way to Store Negatives and Transparencies?
- Technical Requirements for the Duplication of Black and White Negatives
- Glass Plate Negatives
Microfilm & Microfiche
Paper & Parchment
Books and Scrapbooks
Digital Media
- Guidelines for Digitizing Archival Materials for Electronic Access
- Digitizing Photo Collections
- Digital File Types
- Digital Preservation Resources
Audio, Video & Motion Picture Film