Whether you’ve created one to capture a special holiday or to remember the first few months of a child’s life, scrapbooks can offer a precious insight into life in the past, and our collections are full of them.  

We’ve got scrapbooks on everything, from local sports clubs to theatre productions and even hospitals. But one thing these scrapbooks all tend to have in common is the terrible state in which they arrive. From adhesive tape stains to rusty old staples and loose papers, these kinds of things can quickly make a scrapbook, an archivist’s, and a conservator’s, worst nightmare! 

So, here’s a short guide to the dos and don’ts of compiling a scrapbook that an archivist will approve of. 

Step 1: Picking the perfect scrapbook 

So, first things first, what type of scrapbook should you actually choose? Ideally pick a book which uses acid-free paper. Acid free paper, unlike ordinary paper, is far less likely to yellow, become brittle or deteriorate over time, helping preserve your treasured memories for years to come.  

It’s also worth paying attention to how your scrapbook is bound. Ideally, choose one with a sewn binding rather than plastic comb binding, staples or ring binders. Metal components can rust, which may damage pages. 

Step 2: Deciding what to include 

When creating a scrapbook, it's easy to get carried away with all the memories you want to include. However, some items are better suited to scrapbooks than others. 

Things to include:  

• Photographs  
• Newspaper and magazine cuttings  
• Cards and postcards
• Letters 
• Invitations 
• Tickets  
• Drawings  
• Certificates 

In general, any paper-based items are ideal for scrapbooks.  

Non-paper-based items are often better left out. When recently cataloguing the scrapbooks of the Maidenhead Motor Cycle and Light Car Club, we found lots of examples of items not to include, such as a half-melted candle from a birthday cake and several dried plants and leaves. Items like these can cause damage to the page and aren't really suited for long-term preservation.  

You should also avoid including anything that is dirty or damp to avoid further damage.  

It’s also important to consider the weight of items you plan to include. Programmes from events attended can be a valuable keepsake but are often bulky, stapled together, and heavy. As mentioned already, staples can rust over time, and in addition to this the weight of the programme can put strain on the pages it is attached to. Instead of fixing these items into a scrapbook, consider storing these separately or placing them loose in a pocket at the back, where they can be preserved more safely.  

Step 3: Sticking it all together 

Now that you’ve gathered everything you want to include, it’s time to start assembling your scrapbook. But what’s the best way to attach your favorite photographs and keepsakes to the page?  

There are a few materials that are best to avoid using, these include:  

• Adhesive tape, which often degrades paper over time, leaving it discolored and stained. It can also be pretty difficult to remove, read our blog Sellotape! for more on this.   

• Staples, pins and paper clips may seem convenient but will rust over time, staining and damaging the paper around them. You can still use these sorts of fasteners if you wish but opt for a brass version instead which won’t rust and is what archivists use when cataloguing material.

Ideally, you’ll want to pick a good glue to use. Preferably use an archival quality adhesive such as wheat starch glue which is used in conservation work because it provides a strong bond without causing long-term damage to paper and other archival materials. 
This will ensure that your favorite memories stay exactly where you want them, and a future archivist won’t be stuck with the unenviable task of trying to work out where dozens of loose photographs, tickets and scraps of paper belong after glue has dried out and lost its stickiness 50 years down the line.  
 
A few other things to include: 

By now, your scrapbook is almost complete, but there are a few final details worth including. 

Captions are always helpful as they can provide important context for the photographs and items you’ve included. Recording names, locations and dates may feel unnecessary to you when memories are so fresh, but these details could be invaluable to future archivists, and researchers, trying to figure out the story behind your scrapbook.  
 
So now you’ve got everything you need to create the perfect archive-friendly scrapbook, happy scrapbooking!