Blog

When priceless collections face environmental risk, swift, expert action matters. That’s exactly what the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) needed for its 650,000 books exposed to excessive moisture conditions. In late 2025, CPL embarked on a major initiative at its Lakeshore facility to clean and transport part of their collection to a new, more well-equipped facility. As part of this effort, Polygon was brought in to clean the books and prepare them for transportation.

Arguably, the cornerstone of safeguarding archives and collections lies in prevention, which makes understanding potential threats crucial. This is why The Canadian Museum of Nature and the Canadian Conservation Institute have compiled a list of the top 10 agents of deterioration, identifying the primary hazards to historical objects. This compilation aims to assist in preventing and protecting valuable collections, whether housed in museums or homes.

As the chill of winter sets in, businesses and organizations face unique challenges in protecting their valuable documents and archives. Learn about winter's risks to your documents and how to apply practical tips for safeguarding them.

Safeguarding your documents, collection, and archives requires planning and partnerships beyond simply having a number to call after a disaster. Businesses and organizations are taking a multi-pronged approach to ensure they minimize potential damage and protect the materials they depend on and care about. Consider these 4 strategies to strengthen your program.

A recent article in the New York Times “Floods, Fires and Humidity: How Climate Change Affects Book Preservation” discusses the affects of climate change on book preservation with the overall increase in natural disasters. Between flood, fires, and humidity, the possibilities for damage are constantly growing. Below, our subject matter expert, Matt DeCirce, discusses his point of view on how climate change affects he’s seeing and what Polygon is doing to help our clients prepare for the unexpected.