When we did 27,000 (de-acidified) Serial Set maps at U-Md. 6+ years ago, they were sealed on all four sides. The work was done by Etherington Conservation (now HFGroup), and if I recall they either suggested we do it that way or didn't say we shouldn't. For the reasons already mentioned--esp. Kathleen's point about what people are tempted to do when one side's left open--I wouldn't do it any other way if I had the choice. I want encapsulated maps to *stay* encapsulated. mf On Mon, Jan 5, 2015 at 4:31 PM, Gamm, Margaret H <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > 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 > > Web <http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/>|Twitter <http://twitter.com/uispeccoll> > |Tumblr <http://uimapcoll.tumblr.com/> > > > > *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. > > > https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/preservation-leaflets/4.-storage-and-handling/4.9-storage-solutions-for-oversized-paper-artifacts > > > > > > 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] > <[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 > > [image: Description: Folio Statehood Logo] > > 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] > <[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] > > Web: http://www.lib.umn.edu/borchert <https://www.lib.umn.edu/borchert> > -- Michael Fry Senior Map Librarian National Geographic Society 1145 17th St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 202.857.7098 | [log in to unmask]