On Arrival
New collections are initially assessed and recorded into the Accessions Register. They will then be sorted into different types of material and await processing.

Paper Collections
Paper collections include books and other types of bound material and loose papers. All the material is first described and then entered onto our database.

Books
Books have a card tag made, recording their details and location, and they are then placed in an archival box, ready to go onto the shelves.

Papers
Papers require a little more processing. Staples, pins and other fastenings that might corrode need to be removed. Loose papers are grouped together and placed within folders made from acid-free archival card. The folders then go into an archival box before being placed on the shelves.

Plans
Plans for churches and other buildings are placed in sleeves constructed onsite from acid-free card and mylar plastic. They are stored lying flat in the map drawers.

Photographs
We will usually remove photographs from the albums that they arrive in, as many modern albums are unsuitable for long-term storage. We record any information relating to the photographs and then place them into new albums.

Storage
Once photographs have been described, and the information recorded onto our photograph database, the album is boxed and placed in the Photographic Collection, which is kept in the Photo Safe.