How Can You Prevent Paper Degradation in Archives?
- Westbow Systems
- Jan 15
- 3 min read
Preserving paper-based collections is no longer just about climate control and careful handling. Archives, museums, and libraries across Western Canada are facing a growing need for more advanced, tailored solutions that address not only environmental risks but also the physical challenges of managing fragile collections.
At Westbow Systems, we work directly with institutions to design and implement custom archival storage systems that actively prevent degradation, improve workflows, and future-proof collections. In this article, we’ll walk through the critical ways specialized storage contributes to long-term paper preservation.
Understanding Why Paper Degrades Over Time
Paper is inherently fragile. The cellulose fibers in paper break down through chemical reactions like hydrolysis and oxidation, especially when exposed to:
Acidic materials
High or fluctuating humidity
Temperature swings
UV light
Pollutants
Mechanical stress or poor handling
Traditional climate control is important, but it's only part of the solution. How your materials are stored, accessed, and organized can either contribute to degradation, or help stop it.
If you’re not sure whether your current storage setup is protecting your collection, reach out to Westbow Systems for a complimentary assessment.
Enclosed Storage Creates Microclimates That Protect Collections
The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) confirms that enclosed shelving and cabinets help maintain stable microclimates, buffering collections against harmful fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity.
Westbow Systems provides a full line of museum-grade cabinets, archival enclosures, and display cases that reduce exposure to:
Airborne pollutants
Light and UV radiation
Dust and pest intrusion
These sealed environments are especially critical for rare books, manuscripts, and paper artifacts with historical or monetary value.
Interested in enclosed solutions? Contact Westbow Systems for tailored cabinet designs that match your collection needs.
Efficient Storage Prevents Overcrowding and Physical Damage
Crowded storage leads to warped folders, torn documents, and overhandled materials.
That’s why systems like:
are so effective. They maximize space without stacking or compression, ensuring each item has the support and breathing room it needs.
Our 4-Post L&T shelving, cantilever library systems, and flat-file storage options are engineered to accommodate everything from oversized blueprints to delicate paper ephemera.
If your materials are being crushed, bent, or stacked too tightly, let Westbow Systems help you reimagine your space with custom shelving tailored to each item’s dimensions and fragility.
Improved Accessibility Reduces Handling Risks
Archives often face a tricky balance: keeping materials safe while still allowing researchers and staff to access them. But every time a fragile item is handled, it’s at risk.
Westbow Systems shelving systems are designed for smooth, ergonomic access, minimizing the need to lift, bend, or unstack materials. We also offer high-density mobile systems and art racks that consolidate storage without compromising access.
Reducing handling also reduces damage. Our clients often report fewer preservation concerns and smoother workflows after implementing Westbow-designed systems.
Ready to upgrade your accessibility without compromising preservation? Let’s talk.
Secure Storage Protects Against Unauthorized Access and Mishandling
Not all damage comes from the environment. Unauthorized access, theft, and mishandling can cause irreversible harm to paper collections.
Westbow Systems offers:
Security cages for high-value items
Lockable archival cabinets
Restricted-access shelving systems
These solutions align with ALCTS recommendations for secured storage, allowing only trained personnel to handle sensitive materials.
Customization Supports Every Type of Collection
No two archives are the same. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when you’re dealing with rare maps, fragile manuscripts, oversized ledgers, and bound volumes, all in one room.
Westbow Systems works with clients to design customized, scalable storage systems that grow with your collection and support:
Flat vs. vertical storage
Format-specific shelving
Expandable infrastructure
From adjustable cantilever shelves to modular mobile systems, every component is selected to meet your collection’s exact preservation and access needs.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a free consultation with a Westbow Systems specialist today.
A Proven, Proactive Approach
The National Archives’ best practices stress the importance of continuous improvement in storage infrastructure. That’s why Westbow Systems uses a three-step model:
Complimentary onsite or virtual assessment
Custom-designed solution aligned with preservation goals
Professional installation and support
This is about preserving cultural memory, organizational history, and high-value documentation, the right way.
Storage Is Preservation
Paper collections will always be at risk from environmental and mechanical stress. But with the right infrastructure, that risk can be significantly reduced.
Westbow Systems provides the archival-grade storage solutions that institutions across Western Canada rely on to protect their collections. From creating protective microclimates to improving security and workflow, our systems are more than shelves, they are preservation tools.
Preserving your collection starts with the space it lives in. Contact Westbow Systems today and take the first step toward a stronger preservation strategy.
