Frequently Asked Questions: Preservation

The Library of Congress does not endorse any specific vendor, however, a list of common suppliers is listed below:

• Boxes (Northern States Conservation Center)

• Selected Vendors of Preservation Supplies 

Additionally, the Preservation Directorate at the Library of Congress has developed specifications for the supplies and materials used to house the Library's collections: Preservation Supply Specifications.

General Recommendations

• Supplies labeled "archival" are not necessarily appropriate for collection storage. There is no standard definition for "archival", therefore it should not be the determining factor when purchasing collection supplies 
• For paper supplies (boxes, folders, mat board, etc.) make sure that products are labeled acid-free, lignin-free, or 100% rag.
• Storage supplies that will be in close proximity to photographs should be labeled "P.A.T." which indicates that it has passed the photographic activity test
• Plastic storage materials should only be made of polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, or acrylic without any additives.