Never use pressure sensitive tape to mend anything of historical value. Tape can cause permanent damage to the material. One of the guiding principles of conservation is that no procedure or treatment should be undertaken that cannot be undone if necessary. It is important to realize the fact that in some instances it may be best to do nothing at all to restore an item. It is the responsibility of the church to maintain its records in a safe and secure environment.
Materials ought to be stored in archival quality containers.
These two actions are fundamental to the preservation of materials. Additional tasks of flattening, cleaning, and mending can add further to the life of our church's historical records. Archival Suppliers Several companies provide archival quality storage containers. Ritzenthaler's book lists several suppliers with their addresses. Three companies are listed below.