Safekeeping and Preservation of the ITS Archives

The ITS collections in Bad Arolsen are of unique cultural value. To ensure the conservation of the archives for the use of future generations it is essential to restore and preserve the records for long-term storage after digitisation.

In addition to the principle task of processing a steady flow of tracing requests from survivors and their family members, the ITS is responsible for the restoration and conservation of its archives. Apart from the sheer volume of material to be processed, the varying grades and condition of the paper documents place great demands on the archivists. An accurate evaluation of the damage is essential in order to determine the appropriate method of restoration.

Even after years of continuous restoration and conservation work, the archives in Bad Arolsen still contain millions of documents that are in a critical condition. As a result, mass processing methods are now used.

Following an in-depth evaluation of existing damage, the documents are restored. Acidic paper is neutralized, all forms of lamination removed, the typeface is fixed, and torn or missing pieces are repaired.

The earlier step of digitizing the documents serves to further protect the records, since the originals need not be handled. Therefore the administration of the digital archives is of paramount importance.

The aim of all of these measures is protect this unique collection of documents in its original paper form, and to provide the content of the archives in digital form for ongoing work.