Preserving Heritage Archives Workshop In-Person
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Spots are limited. We will have a waitlist, so if you are unable to attend, please contact the library so we can offer your spot to someone who is waiting for an opportunity to attend.
THIS EVENT IS OFF-SITE: We will meet in the Hydrangea Room at the Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Avenue.
Join us as we welcome visiting Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Rasha Shaheen, of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, for a workshop on preserving heritage and archival collections.
This workshop offers a hands-on introduction to preserving heritage archives, focusing on paper-based materials, photographs, manuscripts, and institutional records.
Participants will explore the principles of archival preservation, learn to identify deterioration, and practice preventive conservation techniques. The session emphasizes accessible, low-cost interventions appropriate for small archives and community collections.
- Date:
- Saturday, May 31, 2025
- Time:
- 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Off Site
- Audience:
- Adults Teens
- Categories:
- Adult Programs & Events Teen Programs & Events
Workshop Objectives
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
• Understand the value and vulnerability of heritage archives
• Identify the causes of archival material deterioration
• Apply safe handling and storage practices
• Perform basic cleaning and stabilization
• Develop a preservation-first-aid kit
• Create a basic environmental management plan for archive storage
Topics Covered
• Introduction to archival preservation
• Types of archival materials (paper, photographs, bindings)
• Environmental threats (light, humidity, pests, acidity)
• Handling, cleaning, and flattening fragile documents
• Packaging and storage (acid-free folders, enclosures, boxes)
• Emergency preparedness for archives
• Creating a personal preservation toolkit