| When we talk about archive storage, most people will | | | | shelves in an orderly way, and when stacking one box |
| understand this as a way of keeping items that aren't | | | | on top of another. These boxes are specially made |
| currently being used, but need to be kept for the | | | | items. They are made from a type of cardboard that |
| future. This can apply to the home, schools, offices, | | | | is tough, waterproof and non-absorbent. They have |
| libraries, museums, art galleries or industrial premises. | | | | lids, and they have a place on the front where you can |
| The items could be documents, photographs, books, | | | | insert a label describing their contents. Labels have an |
| paintings, statues or other objects. They could be items | | | | obvious importance. You need to know what's in the |
| collected by the police at a crime scene and needed | | | | box, and other people may need to know too, so the |
| as possible evidence in court. Items selected for | | | | label should be clearly presented. |
| archive storage are not meant to be on view or close | | | | Associated with the physical archive storage there |
| to hand, but have a future use and need to be put | | | | may be an information system for the items being |
| away somewhere safe. Accessibility is important. You | | | | stored. This could take the form of a list mounted on |
| need to be able to get hold of a particular item | | | | the end of a shelving unit with the contents of that unit. |
| efficiently. Sometimes someone else will get it for you | | | | Or it could be held on a computer for people to |
| and you have to put in a request for what you need, | | | | search. Whatever you do and however you do it, it is |
| and some time later the item will be delivered to you | | | | important to have an information system that is |
| from the archive storage system by a colleague. | | | | effective. When people add items to the archive |
| Other times you yourself will go and get the item. | | | | storage system they need to follow the system to |
| The environmental conditions are important and must | | | | enable the items to be found again. As previously |
| be right for the items being stored. Correct light levels, | | | | mentioned, in some situations there will be custodians |
| temperature and humidity are sometimes crucial for old | | | | of the archive storage system. These people will act |
| documents, paintings and scientific samples. | | | | as librarians, placing new items in the store in an |
| There are a number of physical objects that are | | | | organised way, retrieving items for people, and keeping |
| almost always involved in archive storage. A shelving | | | | proper records. After all, if you go to the trouble of |
| system of some kind is invariably used. Shelves make | | | | creating an archive storage system, it is important that |
| it easy to store many items efficiently. Boxes are | | | | items are looked after properly and not removed |
| often used as an efficient way of keeping bundles of | | | | without appropriate clearance. In some situations, |
| documents clean, dry, and away from damaging | | | | people may want to remove items or files for personal |
| sunlight. The same applies to other items which can be | | | | gain. So some kind of security system needs to be |
| stored in boxes. archive storage boxes come in | | | | considered when setting up an archive storage |
| standard sizes, which helps when placing them on | | | | system. |