Photographs are complex structures with an image layer, supported on a base layer that can be made of glass (daguerreotype), metal (ferrotype), or paper.  A number of varying chemical processes allow the image to develop.  Thus, photographs are fragile, easily damaged by poor handling, and they deteriorate when exposed to light and pollution.

Store photographs in a cool dry place, away from sources of light and extreme temperature changes.  Basements and attics are the worst places to store photos!  Don’t write on the backs of photographs with regular ink pens, but use a soft pencil or acid-free ink pen.  Even then, only write along edges on the backs of photos.  Don’t use tape, rubber bands, or paper clips to hold photographs together–placing them in an acid free envelope is ideal.  Store envelopes in a file cabinet or closet, but not in a tightly sealed container.

Some photographs are part of a larger artifact, such as a scrapbook or photo album, which complicates preservation efforts.  Albums with pages made of PVC plastic were popular in the 1960s-1980s.  PVC is very destructive to photographs–remove these pictures, using gentle heat from a hair dryer to help dislodge them from the album.  In general, though, it’s best to keep intact your scrapbooks and albums.  Just be sure to store them carefully.

Below are some of the kinds of pictures that a family might own.  For more information on preserving family treasures, see Preservation Home, on the Library of Congress web site.

Milo Price, ferrotype in "Gem" album, 1890s

Photograph in scrapbook, Granville, Ohio,1920s

Color print, outdoor class, 1970s

Black & white print, Burpee's Seedy with Steve Carell, 1980s

Encased daguerreotype, mid-1800s

FBIS’s daily reports, which currently cover 1956-1996, provide important perspectives on historical events, and can provide useful context and background for current events. For example, two Libyan rebel leaders in the news recently were the subject of several FBIS reports in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

FBIS can be accessed here.

Erase your library fines and contribute to the community at the same time. In celebration of National Library Week, we are offering an exchange of Food for Fines.

Entries will be judged in the following categories: Most Creative, Best Presentation, Most Bookish, Best of Show and Most Hilarious. Entries must be completely edible; plan to bring disposable serving utensils for your entry. Entries will be accepted starting at 2 p.m. After the judging, all attendees are invited to join in a high tea and to help eat the displays.

To learn more about the International Edible Book Festival, visit http://www.books2eat.com.

Spring is the perfect time to start a garden.  For inspiration, see Memories of Gardens, by Catherine Lee, a one-of-a-kind book filled with collaged images.  Ode to Anna Atkins contains cyanotype prints of flowers, and is by Ginger Burrell.  Catherine Michaelis’ May Basket is another colorful limited edition work with a floral motif.

You may want to enjoy some feathered and four-legged friends this spring.  Loraine Klinger’s Humm evokes the flight of hummingbirds.  Badge Mount Set is Mare Blocker’s card game featuring linoleum cuts of birds. In Poodle Parlour, photographer Nancy Honey invites us to spruce up a canine BFF for some warm-weather walks.

Batter up!  Travel to Fenway Park, courtesy of Laura Davidson’s tunnel book, for early season baseball.  Or maybe fishing is your sport?  Catch Clock Work Fish by Guy Himber, a Leggo enthusiast.  Finish with a bit of quiet reading in the sun:  in Everyday Readers, Mary Marsh uses old library cards to create prints of folks reading.  Carol Schwartzott’s Haiku Poems makes for a relaxing read, as well.   For more, see the current exhibition of artists’ books on the library’s main level.

Memories of Gardens

Ode to Anna Atkins

May Basket

Humm

Badge Mount Set

Fenway Park

Clock Work Fish

Everyday Readers

2nd Annual Franklin Student Service Award

Know a library student worker that displays an understanding of the library mission and their work assignments? Displays creative or innovative thinking? Is helpful with a user-oriented attitude?

Consider nominating her or him for the 2011 Dr. Carl M. & Carolyn Craig Franklin Student Service Award.

Nominations are due by April 14th.  Please submit nominations by email to Josh Finnell at finnellj@dension.edu or in paper to Josh Finnell at Doane Library.

*Nominee must be employed by the library during the current academic year

Nomination forms can be downloaded here or found in print at the library circulation desk.

The Dr. Carl M. & Carolyn Craig Franklin Student Service Award is presented annually to two outstanding student workers of any class and may be received more than once. Nominations are accepted by faculty, staff, or students. The announcement is made and the $100 prize is presented at the library’s annual spring student party.

Whether you access the databases through the catalog or the online resources page, all  you need to do is authenticate by providing your name and all the numbers on the back of your ID card.