Handling collection items

General handling guidelines

The Alexander Turnbull Library collections available in the Katherine Mansfield Reading Room contain unique and rare items as well as legal deposit material to be kept in perpetuity for the nation. Your careful handling will directly contribute to their long-term preservation. Always seek advice from staff if you aren't sure about proper handling of collection items.

Please observe and adhere to the following guidelines when using the Library’s collections:

• Wash and dry your hands before handling collection items.

• No food or drink in the reading rooms (including chewing gum or cough lozenges).

• Gloves will be required for handling certain items such as photographs, metal objects or prints — staff will advise when necessary, further details are below.

• Illuminations and hand-coloured illustrations should not be touched.

• Please use pencils for your notes.

• Keep your workspace clean and tidy as this prevents any risk of accidental damage or volumes falling to the floor.

• Only carry one collection item at a time, make several trips if necessary.

• Do not lean on documents or place anything on top of them.

• Most bound items should not be opened flat as this damages the spine, please use cushioned lecterns or foam wedges that are provided (ask staff about how to set these up correctly or consult handling guides available in Reading Room).

• Use the acid-free paper markers provided to follow text or mark your place.

• Ask for help if you need to move large or heavy items.

Handling photographs

The photographic image is vulnerable to fading, staining and abrasion unless specific handling guidelines are followed. Please help preserve the collection's photographs and safely access them by using this handling information.

In addition to the general handling advice above, please also:

• Wear gloves to prevent fingerprints harming photographs.

• Replace dirty gloves before handling another item.

• Ensure there is enough clear space on your desk for handling and using the photographs.

• Be careful of jewellery or other objects that could scratch or cause other damage to photographs.

• Hold each print or negative by its edges where possible, if the edges are fragile then hold undamaged areas or support the photograph from beneath.

• If a photograph is curled or rolled seek help from the desk staff — attempting to force open the item or lay it flat may cause damage.

• Sometimes gloves make it hard to pick up an individual photograph, 'paper fingers' are an easy and safe way to handle fragile photographs (available at the desk).

• If you wish to see the back of a print that is not visible request help from staff, never attempt to remove photographs from enclosures or albums.

• Put items back into their housings to transport them.

• If you are concerned an item is too damaged to be handled safely please ask for assistance.

Handling audio-visual material

Only handle media in 'safe zones' around the edges, never touch the surface where the information is recorded, such as the grooved area of a vinyl disc, either surface of a CD or DVD or any piece of exposed magnetic tape in a cassette or video tape.

If it is difficult to handle the media as described above, use clean cotton gloves to prevent fingerprints. Avoid placing media directly beside devices containing magnets (such as headphones or speakers). Return media to their protective containers when not in use.

Playback of audio-visual media relies on precise physical interactions with playback equipment. Subtle imperfections in the media or equipment can result in poor playback and damage to the media. Please be mindful of this and follow the guidelines below.

Stop and ask for help immediately if you:

• suspect the media is unfit to play for any reason (loose labels, dirt, damage)

• are not confident operating playback equipment

• suspect the playback equipment is malfunctioning or could damage the media, or

• hear unusual sounds in the recording or from the playback equipment.

Use of gloves

The Turnbull Library provides cotton and nitrile gloves and encourages their use when accessing the collections. The natural oils and salt from our skin can cause permanent damage or staining to some materials. However, readers are not required to wear gloves in all situations as they impair manual dexterity and can catch on page edges, causing physical damage. When photographs are stored in polysester sleeves, gloves are not required.

Clean, dry hands, free from lotion, are sometimes best to handle fragile documents. Staff are always available to help you determine the best method for handling collections.

Some specific formats or materials should always be handled with gloves, including: works of art, photographic materials, some curios/artefacts, metal objects or parts (e.g. clasps on books), or dirty collection items. If you are concerned about the amount of dirt on collection items, or that items may be mouldy, please seek advice from staff.

Curios / artefact collection

Cotton or nitrile (synthetic rubber) gloves should be worn when handling materials such as metals or textiles. Wax seals and metal clasps also need to be handled with gloves.

Dirty or contaminated collections

Disposable nitrile gloves should be worn when handling dusty and dirty items. Leather dust, and other debris frequently contaminate library collections. Gloves protect the wearer and make it easier to handle dirty material. Remember to change gloves regularly.