Photocopy paper

Jeffrey Barr <jefbarr [at] ufl__edu> writes

>We have stopped purchasing acid-free paper here because of the low
>acidity of our photocopy paper. I feel uncomfortable with this
>because acid-free paper is guaranteed, while the photocopy paper has
>no such guarantee and could fluctuate.  Also, our paper supplier
>could change at any time. Am I being unduly concerned?

I cannot speak for your photocopy paper, but let me mention what has
occurred here in Massachusetts.  When we obtained an executive order
mandating the use of permanent paper (based on the ANSI standard)
for all documents of "enduring value" in the early 1990's, I was
told specifically that, at that point, about 70% of the photocopy
paper on the market was already acid-free.  I would guess that the
smart thing to do is just to test each batch that you receive and to
make sure that your supplier and supply orderer know that you need
acid-free paper.

Gregor Trinkaus-Randall, M.L.S., C.A.
Preservation Specialist
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
648 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02215-2070
617-267-9400 x 236 or in-state 800-952-7403 x 236
Fax: 617-421-9833


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 17:5
                  Distributed: Tuesday, June 24, 2003
                        Message Id: cdl-17-5-006
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