When we talk about archive storage, most people will understand this as a way of keeping items that aren't currently being used, but need to be kept for the future. This can apply to the home, schools, offices, libraries, museums, art galleries or industrial premises. The items could be documents, photographs, books, paintings, statues or other objects. They could be items collected by the police at a crime scene and needed as possible evidence in court. Items selected for archive storage are not meant to be on view or close to hand, but have a future use and need to be put away somewhere safe. Accessibility is important. You need to be able to get hold of a particular item efficiently. Sometimes someone else will get it for you and you have to put in a request for what you need, and some time later the item will be delivered to you from the archive storage system by a colleague. Other times you yourself will go and get the item.



The environmental conditions are important and must be right for the items being stored. Correct light levels, temperature and humidity are sometimes crucial for old documents, paintings and scientific samples.

There are a number of physical objects that are almost always involved in archive storage. A shelving system of some kind is invariably used. Shelves make it easy to store many items efficiently. Boxes are often used as an efficient way of keeping bundles of documents clean, dry, and away from damaging sunlight. The same applies to other items which can be stored in boxes. archive storage boxes come in standard sizes, which helps when placing them on shelves in an orderly way, and when stacking one box on top of another. These boxes are specially made items. They are made from a type of cardboard that is tough, waterproof and non-absorbent. They have lids, and they have a place on the front where you can insert a label describing their contents. Labels have an obvious importance. You need to know what's in the box, and other people may need to know too, so the label should be clearly presented.

Associated with the physical archive storage there may be an information system for the items being stored. This could take the form of a list mounted on the end of a shelving unit with the contents of that unit. Or it could be held on a computer for people to search. Whatever you do and however you do it, it is important to have an information system that is effective. When people add items to the archive storage system they need to follow the system to enable the items to be found again. As previously mentioned, in some situations there will be custodians of the archive storage system. These people will act as librarians, placing new items in the store in an organised way, retrieving items for people, and keeping proper records. After all, if you go to the trouble of creating an archive storage system, it is important that items are looked after properly and not removed without appropriate clearance. In some situations, people may want to remove items or files for personal gain. So some kind of security system needs to be considered when setting up an archive storage system.