Personal Collections

Many artifacts from our own personal histories are slowly disintegrating, under attack from the elements of everyday life. What can you do to save your treasures?

Collections Care Resources
The Library of Congress. Preservation. Advice on the care of books, photos, videos, and other media that may be in your personal collection.

Caring for Your Treasures
American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works. A collection of two-page guides on the proper care of your family heirlooms and works of art.

Preservation for Children
Tools to help children understand the importance of preservation.

Preserving Your Memories
Organized by material type, these web sites, books, and other sources give useful information on caring for any kind of collection.

Resources for Protecting and Saving Family Treasures and Historic Properties
How families can prepare for disasters, salvage their belongings, and restore their historic property. Includes video clips from Heritage Preservation.

Your Old Books
Rare Books and Manuscripts Section. Association of College and Research Libraries. A guide to frequently asked questions about rare books and their value.