<p>So babyfrog is happily getting quite a bit of work published in the campus newspaper these days. I think it would be fun to make her a scrapbook of sorts to look back on. Her U puts the daily paper online, and I do save a .pdf of pages with any of her work, but I also recently subscribed by mail (somehow, her byline looks more “real” on paper) and am looking for ideas on the best way to preserve her work. Low cost options are important, too. I remember when we used to have scrapbooks and would paste/tape those prom programs and newspaper articles, etc in them…what’s the best way to archive newsprint?</p>
<p>This is so funny that you posted this question… today, because we just went to Target today with the same mission. S1 has been working the video camera at all home sporting events but has recently been taking still photos and getting many published in the school newspaper, both online and in print. Wife wanted us to get a scrapbook type photo album with large pages, (would have been $15 for the album + $5 for extra pages) but instead I got a black 3 ring binder on sale for $1.29 (looks more professional) and a set of 50 pages, that have 3 holes to fit in a 3 ring binder and are clear plastic, closed on 3 sides but an open top that lets you slide a piece of newspaper into it. The set of 50 pages was on sale for $3.50 something, less than half the price of 100.</p>
<p>I do some archival work as part of my job. We have many, many old newsprint clippings in our archive. Also old photos–some of which are ~100 years old. </p>
<p>The first thing you need to find storage/organizational materials that are acid-free. Modern paper is made using acidified wood pulp. The acid is not completed removed during the paper-making process and the residual acid will cause the paper to turn yellow and brittle eventually. Newsprint is especially likely to have issues since the quality of paper itself is not good to start with. So you will want to avoid placing acidified paper in direct contact with more acidified paper as it will accelerate the deterioration process. [NOTE: constuction paper is especially bad to use, although it looks nice. High acid plus unstable dyes.]</p>
<p>We store our photos, documents and newspaper clippings in polyester sleeves that fit into a 3 ring binder. Binders come in variety of sizes. I usually back archival news clipping with acid-free paper inside the sleeves, but do not “mount” them using tape or glue–both of which will accelerate the deterioration process. (The adhesives from tape and glue will soak through the paper and discolor it fairly quickly–usually in under 3-10 years. Both also make it nearly impossible to remove the original from the backing without damaging the original.)</p>
<p>We buy our archival storage materials from Gaylord, but you can get storage sleeves (also called page protectors) and binders in many places: Amazon, Staples, Office Depot, most camera stores. Sleeves are pretty inexpensive. 50 for ~$12 at Staples.</p>
<p>Though I haven’t used this (yet), I think newspaper clippings and other papers that aren’t acid free will last longer and in better shape if you spray them with something like this: [Make</a> It Acid-Free Aerosol Spray : paper : scrapbooking : Shop | Joann.com](<a href=“http://www.joann.com/make-it-acid-free-aerosol-spray/prd22967/]Make”>http://www.joann.com/make-it-acid-free-aerosol-spray/prd22967/)</p>
<p>Gosh, I feel like a bad mom. My D has had articles printed in the school newspaper and in the environmental schools glossy magazine & it never occurred to me to make a scrapbook.
I am just not a scrapbook kind of girl.
:o</p>
<p>I agreee with WOWM - if you’re just starting out be sure to start by using the right materials. As the family scrapbooker/archivist, I have spent hours going back and trying to salvage photos, newspaper clippings, etc that were not properly stores/preserved.</p>
<p>Similar to what Fred’s Mom suggested, I use a product called Archival Mist. It should be available at good scrapbooking stores like Achivers. Archivers, and other good stores, also has a variety of archival-safe adhesives, papers (cardstock) and pens.</p>
<p>This may totally not be a good idea, but I love laminating. You could mount the article on a piece of scrapbook paper (acid free) - maybe even just black. Take each one to your local office supply store that does laminating. Then you can store these in a binder, folder - whatever you choose and the lamination will make them more durable and long lasting - forever lasting? I’m not sure, but we have some laminated things from 20 years ago and they are still fine.</p>
<p>Though this may go without saying, don’t use staples on any thing you need to clip together. It’s best not to attach paper together; but if you have to, use treated paper clips that are don’t have exposed metal. They’ll rust over time and the paper will have rust marks you can’t get out.</p>
<p>I know this is obvious, but also make a digital scan of everything, and make sure there’s an off-site backup.</p>
<p>abasket beat me to it. I actually have a fairly cheap laminator and use it all the time. It appears to keep newspaper (notorious for yellowing) quite well–though mine are only 10 years old.</p>
<p>I have newspaper articles written about my daughter that are over 15 years old. I used Archival Mist and mounted on acid free cardstock and they look good as new!</p>
<p>I’m another laminator!</p>
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<p>emeraldkity4—DD is making her own scrapbook :D. Don’t feel bad, I’m not a crafty person either.</p>
<p>I agree with laminating the pages too. Most places like Kinkos will laminate them for you at a reasonable cost. We have some pages from when Reagan was shot that were laminated and they still look brand new. Since there most likely won’t be any monetary value to the pages, I say laminate. If, however, your DD may become a famous author some day, best not to laminate so you can sell them down the road to fund your retirement :D.</p>
<p>RE: digital scans.</p>
<p>Archivally speaking, be sure to get your scans in .pdf format. It’s the most stable and best supported. But even with .pdfs you will need to rollover/update the format every 5 years so they will continue to be readable.</p>
<p>I cannot tell you how many archival digital files I have which are in obsolete formats or use obsolete storage media. Many only 10-15 years old. Some are less than that.</p>
<p>And remember LOCKSS (Lots Of Copies Keeps Stuff Safe)</p>