We seal all sides. In addition to Kathleen’s concerns, partial encapsulation can result in other papers sliding into the mylar pocket, which can cause damage.
It’s also more for other maps to catch on (three edges instead of one).
From what I could tell while doing my research on scanners, most rolling scanners can safely handle encapsulated maps, so if you’re using one of those, there
may not be any problem with scanning. Overhead scanners are obviously a different story.
On another note, we don’t fold mylar, we just seal all four edges.
-Margaret
Margaret Gamm
Special Collections Librarian, Acquisitions
University of Iowa Libraries
(319) 335-6247
From: Maps-L: Map Librarians etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Weessies, Kathleen
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2015 2:53 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Map Encapsulating -- Best Practices?
If you leave one side open, you have to wrestle with the map to get it out (which endangers it). It isn’t that easy to get out with the static electricity holding
it in place. And patrons may be tempted to try to pull it out. When I recently had something pulled for scanning, our conservator cut open the encapsulation, then had it redone afterward. It is so easy with the welder that it wasn’t that big a deal. They
should/must be deacidified first.
The gaps at the corners idea used to be a recommended practice (we did it here too) but it was later debunked. See the Northeast Document Center Preservation
Pamphlet 4.9.
Kathleen Weessies
Geosciences Librarian; Head, Map Library
Coordinator; Collaborative Technology Labs
Michigan State University
Main Library
366 W. Circle Drive, W308
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-884-0849
From: Maps-L: Map Librarians etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Tamsen Leigh Hert
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2015 3:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Map Encapsulating -- Best Practices?
Ryan,
Here at the University of Wyoming, we generally encapsulate the maps in special collections.
Like you, we used to tape all 3 sides but with the new ultrasonic welder that we have, and the
potential need to scan the original, we are now only sealing 3 sides.
Tamsen Hert
Tamsen Emerson Hert, MLS, MA
Head, Emmett D. Chisum Special Collections
University of Wyoming Libraries
Dept. 3334
1000 East University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
phone: 307-766-6245; cell: 307-760-7416
email:
[log in to unmask]
From: Maps-L: Map Librarians etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Ryan Mattke
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2015 12:31 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Map Encapsulating -- Best Practices?
Hello All,
We were recently fortunate enough to fund the purchase of a polyester sealer for use in encapsulating maps.
Previously we would encapsulate the maps and use double-sided tape to seal the edges, leaving some gaps in the sealed edges.
I'm wondering if there are best practices out there for using the polyester sealing machine -- for example, using a folded piece of mylar polyester, do you seal all three open edges or just two? Any other best practices thoughts would be
useful as well...
Best Regards,
Ryan Mattke
--
Ryan Mattke
Head, John R. Borchert Map Library
University of Minnesota
S-76 Wilson Library
309 19th Ave South
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Phone: 612.624.5757
Email: [log in to unmask]