Archive and library collections sit at the heart of genealogical research—but they are also among our most vulnerable cultural assets. From environmental damage and handling wear to space pressures and ageing buildings, the risks facing collection items are growing. How can institutions protect irreplaceable material while continuing to make it accessible to researchers?  

This talk explores how heritage storage is helping collecting institutions meet that challenge—and why it has become an increasingly popular option across the sector.  

Drawing on the work of the National Conservation Service (NCS), the session will outline the most common risks to archive and library collections, explaining how temperature, humidity, light, pests, and handling can all affect long-term preservation. It will then introduce the heritage storage service: what it is, how it works, and how it supports both conservation best practice and sustainable access.

For Society of Genealogists members, the talk will place particular focus on a model familiar to many: off-site heritage storage with items ordered in for library visits. You’ll learn how this approach balances the highest standards of care with continued access for research, ensuring that collections remain usable not just today, but for generations to come.  

The talk will cover:

• Key risks facing archive and special collections today
• The role and expertise of the National Conservation Service
• What heritage storage offers—and how it differs from traditional storage
• Why more and more collecting institutions are choosing heritage storage
• How ordering items for visits supports both preservation and access
• What this means for researchers, members, and the future of collections  

Whether you are interested in collection care, long-term sustainability, or the behind-the-scenes work that keeps genealogical resources safe, this talk offers valuable insight into how heritage collections are being protected in a changing world. Join us to discover how thoughtful storage choices help safeguard the records that underpin our shared history. 

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