Preserving your flood damaged treasures and heirlooms

Once again Queensland and Queenslanders are under threat from rising floodwaters. For those affected it can be a devastating experience, with the destruction of homes and belongings; when our most treasured possessions and family heirlooms can be lost forever.  These family treasures often give our lives meaning or remind us of our history.  Water damaged items can be salvaged with quick intervention.

In our role as custodians of Queensland's documented history, the State Library of Queensland has an experienced and committed team of preservation staff who use specialised techniques to maintain and preserve our historic collections for future generations. The preservation team also offers expert advice to anyone who has salvaged water damaged possessions, such as books, ephemera, art works, documents, sheet music, films, audiovisual materials and photographs.

There are a number of useful preservation guides available if your treasures have been water damaged:

• Caring for your collections: Recovery of water damaged collections
• Salvaging water damaged collections
• Caring for your collections: Mould — how to salvage and prevent it
• Caring for your collections: Freezing water damaged and insect infested collections

You can also contact our experienced Conservation Unit directly with your enquiries.

Our hearts go out to all Queenslanders affected by the floods.

Myles Sinnamon - Project Coordinator, State Library of Queensland