TBI Archive

THE TEMPLE BETH ISRAEL (TBI) ARCHIVE
Because TBI supports contributing to its own future and preventing the irretrievable loss of an important asset, the TBI Archive Committee has been established to take steps now and in the years ahead to appraise, catalog, organize, digitize, and process historical and current records and/or artifacts. This will arrest, where possible, the physical deterioration that threatens the integrity of these records.
The scope of archival activities consists of collecting, preserving, digitizing, exhibiting and making available records for research and education. We accept additional material that will enhance our holdings. Through our collections, educational programs, oral histories, and media we become a link with the total educational resources of TBI, e.g., library, lifetime learning, etc. Additionally, the Archives may collect, preserve, exhibit and makes available to researchers and educators the materials related to the establishment and growth of the Pomona Valley Jewish community, such as Jewish businesses, institutions and organizations. Although we serve primarily the TBI congregation, we may serve as mentor and guide to other synagogues, both locally and nationally, in the creation, preservation and protection of congregational archives.’

TBI ARCHIVE
TIPS FOR PRESERVING YOUR OWN MEMORIES
Many people hold on to mementos throughout their lives, but few of them keep the records in conditions that ensure survival. The TBI Archive can help preserve your documents, photographs, and media. If you have questions or want to make donations, please call (909) 626-1277 or email, volunteercomputertbip@gmail.com.

To protect your personal archive:

1. Store documents in cool and dry place with stable temperature and humidity. Ideal temperature is 68 F and humidity is 40% (give or take couple degrees and percentages). Light is damaging to photographs, paper, and disks, so limit light exposure.
2. Keep like items together. Chemicals from one type of paper can be absorbed by other types and cause deterioration. Newsprint is acidic and unstable. It is better to photocopy clippings onto acid-free paper, or bring the documents into the TBI Archive and have us scan them.
3. Handle with care.
a. Make sure the enclosure you choose can support what you are storing.
b. Do not use conventional cardboard; it contains chemicals harmful to materials. Acid-free boxes and folders are available from many different sources on the Internet. They are not inexpensive but they will save documents for future generations.
c. Boxes should be sized according to what you want to store.
d. When you handle photographic prints, wear lint-free cotton gloves. If gloves are not available, eliminate oils and grime from your hands by washing thoroughly before touching photographic objects
4. Digital information requires more ongoing attention than paper documents or photographs. Removable media (such as floppy disks, USB drives, CDs, and DVDs) are fragile, and they tend to fail (including CDs and DVDs labeled “archival quality”). Make duplicate copies on disk, back it up on a hard drive, or use a service that backs up files in “the Cloud.”

Remember to enjoy your memories! Just because an object or document is old, does not mean you can’t look at it or handle it. Take time to share the memories with your family members, or consider donating to the TBI Archive.