The word “rehousing” is used here t

The word “rehousing” is used here to mean the process of
putting library and archive materials into new enclosures
or storage furniture. The term does not imply that the
materials are moved to a different building (although re-
housing is often carried out in conjunction with moving
collections). It is a somewhat confusing term, but it has
been in use since the 1990s and seems to be established
usage, at least in North America and Australia. We have
heard the term used either when old boxes and folders are
being replaced or when books and documents are being
put into enclosures for the first time.
Rehousing can be a big undertaking, requiring addi-
tional supplies and labor and, often, extra shelving or
storage space. The project should be included when plan-
ning upcoming budgets or grant proposals.
Determining What Materials
Need Rehousing
When a general preservation assessment is carried out,
an institution is often advised to rehouse a collection.
The following factors, among others, should be consid-
ered when making decisions.
A. What sort of use does the collection receive? Mate-
rials of permanent value that get a lot of use need to be
placed into sturdy, individual enclosures that are easy to
open and close. The enclosure must indicate the title of
the book or contents of the folder and the inventory or
call number. At the other end of the spectrum are limited-
retention archives that may never be looked at again.
These documents are generally placed into large storage
boxes that are often taped shut.Other materials fall some-
where in between, for instance, older editions of books or
municipal maps. Items that may be consulted sporadi-
cally can be wrapped in acid-free paper, labeled, and tied.
Some materials may no longer be appropriate or per-
tinent; consider whether these should be replaced or
withdrawn.
B. What is the physical condition of the materials? Two
categories are generally put into enclosures: fragile,
incomplete, or otherwise damaged materials, to prevent
further losses; and valuable or rare items in good condi-
tion, to keep them that way.
When deciding whether a book should be boxed, take
the following characteristics into account:
• Is it very old, fragile, misshapen, unbound, or much
smaller than its neighbors on the shelf?
• Does it have leather rot, suspected dormant mold,
sharp metal clasps, or any other condition that
makes it dangerous to its neighbors on the shelf?
• Is the book in pristine condition, or does it have
association value through inscriptions, enclosures,
or other means? The value of such books is very
much tied to their condition.
Similar questions can be asked when it comes to rehous-
ing flat paper items.
If in doubt about whether to put something into an
envelope or box, remember that nothing is ever harmed
by being put into an acid-free enclosure of the correct
size and type. It is a completely reversible step.
C.How appropriate is the storage furniture? If the ma-
terials are going into state-of-the-art cabinets profession-