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
  • How Do I House Glass Plate Negatives?
  • How do I Move Glass Plate Negatives?

Microfilm & Microfiche

• Recovery of film
• Why does NARA continue to microfilm records?

Paper & Parchment

• Paper and Parchment
• Emergency Salvage of Flood Damaged Family Papers

Books and Scrapbooks

• Scrapbooks and Albums
• Bound Volumes

Digital Media

• Guidelines for Digitizing Archival Materials for Electronic Access
• Digitizing Photo Collections
• Digital File Types
• Digital Preservation Resources

Audio, Video & Motion Picture Film

• Audio
• Video
• Motion Picture Film