Taking Care of Newspapers

Sue Bove, paper conservator at the New York State Archives, discusses the preservation of newspapers.

Video Key Points

• Newspapers were not created to last a long time. Newsprint is made of inexpensive wood pulp paper. It contains lignin, which deteriorates quickly in paper. Newspaper is also acidic.
• If at all possible, store newspapers unfolded, in alkaline folders that are slightly larger than the paper is. A newspaper that is stored this way, and not exposed to light, will last longer than one that is often exposed to light. However it will not last permanently.
• Create a facsimile in order to preserve the information that is of most interest to you.
• Store the facsimile separated from the original newspaper. Otherwise the acidic newspaper may damage to the facsimile.