Message-Id: <mailto:199502081846.MAA13033@library.wustl.edu> Date: Wed, 8 Feb 1995 13:38:27 -0500 From: Misha Schutt <mailto:MishaGMCLA@AOL.COM> Subject: Re: stickers on slides To: Multiple recipients of list IMAGELIB
mailto:robinja@HALCYON.COM (Robin James) writes: >Where is a good place to get acid-free stickers to put on transparency
holders?I think the acidity of the labels is not of so much concern as the durability of the adhesive. I haven't yet found (though some people do claim to sell) peel-and-stick adhesive that doesn't either bleed around the edges or simply dry up and fall off, with or without leaving a grease stain not unlike the remnants of old-style cellophane tape adhesive.
It's probably worse here in Los Angeles air (you should see what happens to rubber bands in a year), but I had observed the problem before moving here.
You mentioned that some of the slides are plastic--if they're vinyl, don't put peel-and-stick labels anywhere near them. Vinyls contain a plasticizer which gradually evaporates from the surface, creating the characteristic vinyl smell, dissolving and adhering photocopier toner (never put a photocopy in the pocket of a vinyl binder!), and turning peel-and-stick adhesive into a slimy mess within weeks.
Actually, this question might get more responses on the LIBPRESV list mailto:(mailto:LISTSERV@edu-suu-lifac.li.suu.edu), which deals with nitty-gritty preservation questions like this. It's a quiet list, so your emailbox wouldn't get much fatter by subscribing, assuming you deal with this type of question from time to time.
Misha Schutt ONE Institute/International Gay & Lesbian Archives (Los Angeles, CA) (day job: Burbank Public Library)