NLS Handling Guidelines

Guidelines for Handling NLS Material

General Guidelines

• Ensure you have a clear, clean workspace before fetching material.

• Always make sure your hands are clean and dry. Wash hands frequently while working with material. Gloves are not necessary unless you are handling photographic material.

• Remove bulky and sharp jewellery. Do not use hand cream while handling material.

• Do not eat or drink while handling material.

• Only use pencil, never pens or markers.

• Do not use Post-it Notes, paperclips, or Blu-tack on material.

Books

• Always remove books from shelves by grasping sides of spine, never by the headcap. If necessary, push the two adjacent books back slightly to get a good grip.

• Use a book pillow or a foam book rest if possible. A snake weight will hold the book open in place.

Loose Sheets/flat sheet items

• If possible, carry the entire archive box to your work area. Remove folders from box one at a time. Keep folders flat as you move them.

• Do not carry single loose sheets. If you must move a single sheet, place it on a piece of stiff paper or card and hold two corners.

• Always keep loose sheets in order.

Large Folders/Outsized Material

• Ensure your work area is clear enough to accommodate the open folder. Do not open folders on top of other material.

• Lift large folders by holding opposite corners, allowing the folder to droop in a gentle arc between your arms.