Removing Paper Clips Basic Remedial Treatment or Repair of Collections

Paper clips should be removed by prying up the fronts, backs, and leading edges before pulling them away. In some cases, rubber bands have been used to hold groups of paper records, and these should be removed even in good condition. If the rubber bands have deteriorated badly, freezing them will embrittle the rubber so that fragments can be gently broken off. Separated leaves can be reattached with special stainless steel paper clips over small strips of alkaline paper If there are only a few loose leaves, they may be left loose in a folder. Stainless steel staples may be used if the paper is sound, and the staples are pushed through strips of alkaline paper to protect the original sheets. This also has the effect of signaling that the staple or paper clip is stable.