Supersized

The HLATC has hundreds of oversized rolled textiles meaning either the length or the diameter of the rolled piece is too large to fit onto the rods within our textile storage cabinets. It also means there is no chance they will fit into boxes, leaving us with the conundrum of how do we pack an oversized rolled piece? Tyvek to the rescue! We are creating custom sleeves out of tyvek that we slip over each rolled textile to protect it while in transport and during short term storage. Tyvek is water resistant but has "micropores" which allow for breathability, making it a better option than polyethylene sheeting.

The length and diameter of all of the rolled pieces was measured and entered into a working spreadsheet. Grouping the pieces by length gives us the largest scraps of tyvek which we then use to create sleeves for smaller pieces. A note on tyvek, it really does come in different forms. If you are looking for a soft, almost fabric-like tyvek, I would highly recommend the product from Gaylord Archival Products. When they say it drapes, they mean it. I first tried a different supplier and the tyvek was much more rigid, like a paper. I'm sure it's great for other uses, but didn't really do what we needed it to.

We have a tiny staff and sewing these sleeves would not have been possible without our dear volunteers. They have truly been an invaluable resource. Judy Sidran and Barb Tensfeldt, two members of the HLATC development committee, are photographed here in action.


Judy Sidran and Maggie Ordon (manning the spreadsheet and calculator)


Barb Tensfeldt

After cutting the tyvek out here at HLATC, Judy and Barb are able to take the tyvek pieces home and sew them up whenever is convenient for them. They drop off their latest batch of sewn sleeves when they come to cut out new ones.



A giant thank you goes out to Judy and Barb for all of their help!

Purge

In addition to moving the collection itself, we also will need to move all of our equipment, supplies and documents. Which means this is the perfect time to do some purging. Why move what we no longer need? Not only move it once, but twice...once to our temporary quarters and then again into our new building. No, thanks!

Like many offices and other workspaces, we had over time acquired extra copies of this and that as well as our share of outdated office products. Out they went! No more boxes of typewriter ribbons for us, thanks. In keeping with the environmentally green theme of our new building, we reused and recycled as much as possible. Publications were donated to faculty and students, old furniture went to the UW SWAP where it will be available to other departments within the university. When all other options for reuse were exhausted, things like excess office supplies were sent to the designated "Giveaways" table in our building. You'd be amazed by how many uses creative students can find for random things.

Our building's relocation committee is holding a "I Can't Believe I Kept This" contest for the treasures people may unearth while packing. Luckily, the HLATC hasn't uncovered any good contenders yet. This is one contest we would like NOT to win.

Teamwork

It seems fitting for my first post to introduce some of the major players in our big packing project. It really takes a lot of teamwork to get something this big accomplished and we've been really lucky to work with some great people.

We owe a huge thank you to Leah and Natalie, who were here with us to kick off the packing project. They worked tirelessly throughout the spring semester, dutifully completing any task assigned to them, even the meticulous vacuuming. And with a smile.

Natalie


Leah

And best of luck to Leah, who graduated this May, as she moves on to bigger and better things!

Our packing team this summer includes two new faces, Aurelia and Laura, who will be working alongside two HLATC veterans, Tara and Maggie. Stop back in to see how our summer progresses!



Aurelia


Laura


Tara


Maggie


Diana