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Preserving historic newspapers

Why Newspapers Deteriorate

Modern newsprint contains lignin and wood pulp. It’s inherently acidic and doomed to become brittle and discolor over time when left unprotected and exposed to heat, humidity, light or pests. Careful storage and a few commonsense precautions can dramatically slow deterioration.
image showing shelved historic newspapers

Displaying Newspapers

1948 Chicago Tribune2008 New York Times

1948 Chicago Tribune (left) and 2008 New York Times (right)

Original newspapers will yellow and become brittle over time when displayed. Color copies, printed from digital files, display beautifully and can be difficult to distinguish from originals. If you do display the original paper, protect it from direct sunlight and illuminate with incandescent rather than fluorescent light. If framing or mounting your paper, use acid-free mat board as backing and avoid letting the newspaper contact the glass.

 

Preserving Originals

image of newspapers laid flat
First open papers so they're flat.
Place the papers in acid-free paper folders or inert, transparent Mylar or Melinex (polyester) folders. Alternatively interleave newspapers with acid-free paper, which should be periodically replaced.
image of conservators placing newspaper in acid-free paper folderimage of conservator placing newspaper in transparent polyester folder
Store flat newspaper storage box or stabilize between acid-free boards.
image of conservator placing newspaper in a flat storage boximage of conservator placing newspaper in a flat storage box

If you are storing more than one paper, place each in a separate folder. Folders should be the size of the box—not the size of the newspaper.

Store in a cool, dry, and dark location.

To learn more, see "Preserving Newspapers" created by the Library of Congress Preservation Directorate: paper.

Supply sources:

In Lawrence:

Archival supply catalogs (search under “newspaper”):


Location

Stannard Conservation Laboratory
135 Watson Library
1425 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045-7544

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