Preservation Essentials

Evaluating Scrapbooks for Preservation and Access: Information or Artifact?

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Abstract

When I open my archivist's anxiety closet, I see . . . scrapbooks. I find them scary, but not as scary as I once did. We tend to ignore them because they are among the most physically complex and context-sensitive materials archivists deal with, and they can take daunting amounts of time and money to preserve and make accessible. But they can also be highly valuable because they are such excellent and organic "snapshots" of the lives and activities of individuals, families, associations, and institutions. Regardless of their value, we must also recognize that scrapbooks are, by their nature, among our most ephemeral holdings, and they will not last long without duplication or extensive conservation. The purpose of this article is to help us confront our scrapbooks and motivate us to begin formulating plans to preserve and make accessible these unique but ephemeral holdings.

How to Cite:

Childs-Helton, S., (2009) “Evaluating Scrapbooks for Preservation and Access: Information or Artifact?”, MAC Newsletter 37(1), 30-31,35.