RFID tags on documents

Daniel Fennessy <dfennessy [at] gmssa__com__ar> writes

>A number of questions come to mind: would even a pH-neutral adhesive
>damage the paper? Is it advisable to put any type of adhesive on
>manuscripts dating back to the 17th century? Have other archives
>implemented anything similar?

I was recently asked to perform Oddy tests on samples of File Trail
RFID tags proposed for use in the Minnesota Historical Society
library and reference collections. One sample was a tag already
attached to a coated paper brochure, and the other was a UPM
Raflactac DogBone 248_1 tag sent from the distributor. Both passed
the Oddy test without causing any reactions on the metal coupons.
The test report is available upon request.

Based on that data, the risk of casuing chemical damage to the
documents is low or negligible.  Putting any pressure sensitive
adhesive on a paper object will leave some residue that can never be
completely removed. The ultimate decision is up to the curators and
archivists knowing the level of risk.
Hope that helps,

Paul S. Storch
Senior Objects Conservator
Daniels Objects Conservation Laboratory (DOCL)
Minnesota Historical Society
345 Kellogg Blvd. West
St. Paul, MN  55102-1906
651-259-3381
Fax: 651-297-2967


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 22:68
                   Distributed: Monday, May 18, 2009
                       Message Id: cdl-22-68-003
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