Webinar 1: Agents of deterioration

Trainer: Lorraine Finch ACR

Friday 13th September 2024 - Online event

10:00 – 11:00am

This is the first of a series of three webinars which forms part of ARA’s new Collections Care Toolkit. The webinars are funded by The National Archive and free to attend.

This webinar will end with a 5 minutes Q&A with Lorraine Finch ACR.

Please note: this webinar will be recorded, but the question and answer session at the end will not be recorded.

Webinar 1: Agents of deterioration

Have you ever wondered why your paper based archive material falls apart and what you can do to reduce this? Then this is the webinar for you. This collections care webinar will cover the 10 agents of deterioration in paper archives and is created specifically for archivists and those working in archives without in-house conservation support.

In the session, led by accredited conservator Lorraine Finch, we will examine the 10 agents of deterioration, how they impact paper based archive material, going through simple steps that you can take to reduce their effects. Illustrated throughout with case studies and examples of the damage caused by those dastardly agents. Bring your questions about your collections because your interaction is positively encouraged.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the session, you will be able to:

●        Name the ten agents of deterioration.

●        Understand how the ten agents of deterioration cause your paper based archive materials to fall apart.

●        Outline the simple steps you can take to reduce the rate of deterioration that they cause.

About our trainer:

Lorraine is an accredited conservator with 30 years experience in the conservation of archives and photographic material. After working in archives in the UK, she set up LFCP to provide conservation and preservation services, and bespoke training to institutions. LFCP now works to accelerate sustainability action in the sector through knowledge sharing, resource creation and research.

Lorraine was a Trustee of the Institute of Conservation where she worked to produce the Icon Ethical Guidance, develop Professional Standards and conservation apprenticeships. She is Chair of the Icon Sustainability Group. For many years, Lorraine was part of the committee of the ARA Preservation and Conservation Group and was Chair of the ARA Film, Sound and Photography Group.

The event is free for ARA members and non-members.

Please book your place on Eventbrite here.

Information on how to join the session will be sent to attendees a couple of days ahead of the event.

If you have any further questions about this event, please get in touch with Chris Sheridan at: chris.sheridan@archives.org.uk