User Manual

Basics in archives and libraries

Building Technologies 049_Archives_and_Libraries_A6

V10271399_a_en.doc

Fire Safety & Security Products 03.2009

of the stock nearby and further afield through flue gas and extinguishing agents, as

well as keeping further damages to a minimum.

2.6 Object groups in archives and libraries

Most archives and libraries are connected with files and books, i.e. mainly with writ-

ten material on paper. The object groups that can be found are much more diverse

and they can be split up into four main groups: 1. papers with printing or writing, 2.

photo-chemical information storage media, 3. media that is not paper, with printing

or writing on it as well as 4. electronic data storage media. In certain areas, such

as graphic arts, artist books, paintings etc., stock in archives and libraries overlaps

with that in museums, private collection.

The four main groups can further be separated into sub-groups. Main as well as

sub-groups can to some extent have different requirements regarding climate, type

of storage (storage technology), protection from pests or security (value protec-

tion). Furthermore, dangers can also come from the objects themselves and under

some circumstances compromise other objects or people (e.g. self-igniting mate-

rial, objects contaminated by previous pest fighting measures or objects giving off

harmful substances).

1. Papers with printing or writing

1. Books (bound)

– printed books

– manuscripts

2. magazines and newspapers

3. files, manuscripts (often loose or in file boxes)

4. works of art on paper (e.g. graphic arts, artist books)

5. large formats such as plans, maps, city views, posters

2. Photo-chemical information storage media on paper, card, plastic, glass

1. positives

2. negatives, x-ray films

3. slides, film, micro-film

3. Media that is not paper, with writing or printing

1. animal media (e.g. parchment)

2. plant material (e.g. papyrus, palm leaves)

3. synthetic material (e.g. plastic sheets)

4. Electronic data storage media (for IT systems see separate information)

1. Analogue data storage media

– records, wax rolls

– magnetic tapes (audio tape, video)

2. Digital data storage media

– CD, DVD, floppy disk, MO-Disk

– Hard disks

– Solid State Memory and Flash Memory