Newspaper clipping storage - is a storage building ok?

[lecach]

My DH is a newspaper reporter. He has about 7 storage bins filled with clippings. We need to purge our house to get it ready to sell. I suggested a rental storage unit - you know the kind, with garage type doors at a large storage center. He's afraid that since its not climate controlled that his newspapers will not be properly preserved. I say that cool and dry is good - and we have about 4 or 5 months before it gets warm here in NC. Our house should sell by then. So what do you all think? I figure on the DIS there is always someone that knows something about every topic under the sun

 

[jennyl772003]

Some of the storage places offer climate controlled storage. maybe you could price out those?

 

[lecach]

Climate controlled is a LOT more expensive. We're looking at a 5x10 non-climate controlled unit for $55 a month. The climate controlled is $90 and we just dont want to spend that unless necessary.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Paper can break down so easily. I don't think I would put his clippings in non-climate controlled storage. Here's an idea..waht about scanning the clippings and putting them on a CD or DVD. If he doesn't want to spend the time doing that, I am sure there is some place out there that would do it for a fee.

 

[cardaway]

Your husband is right about non-climate controlled units. His collection wouldn't be safe.

If the collection is the only issue, there are also places that specialize in storing documents. Might be worth looking into if he values his collection.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Something climate controlled would be the best way to go. Is this a permanent storage solution or something temporary until you get settled in the new house? If temporary, they might be fine in a non-climate controlled unit for a few months.

You said the clippings are in 7 storage bins. Are they in there loose? If so, I would definitely get them into some sort of non-acidic storage to preserve them better.

Cool and dry is definite the best next to climate controlled. The big thing, though, is to keep the conditions constant. A few years ago I asked the owner of one of the local comic book stores if the attic would be better than the basement for storing them, and he suggested the basement. He thought the conditions in the attic would vary too much (from really hot in the summer to cold in the winter) compared to the basement (fairly constant cool, somewhat damp but we have a dehumidifier going).

 

[CEDmom]

Is there a reason your DH wants to keep the actually clippings rather than just scanning them? No matter what you do with newsprint it doesn't last that long.

 

[lecach]

My DH is a packrat. And the clippings I refer to arent actually clippings. They are the entire section of the paper that his story has appeared in (sports). So if he actually clipped the articles we'd have about 2/3 less paper. But its become so out of control that it would take FOREVER to do this. And in some cases the articles are continued on the page behind so if he cut out the article he would not get the whole thing. Also, as far as scanning, when applying for jobs or awards they usually want the actual newsprint. So thats why they havent been scanned.