I would seriously consider if it's possible to scan the photographs before anything else. By digitizing the images, she'll have a workable copy of the photographs no matter what happens to the originals. My guess is that since the photos are hung near an entryway, they are probably faded and she can also digitally restore the photos if this is the case.
Alan P. Van Dyke, MA
Conservation Liaison> -----Original Message-----
> From: Becky Damptz <
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> To: MUSEUM-L <
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> Sent: Mon, Jul 8, 2013 6:18 pm
> Subject: [MUSEUM-L] photographs glued to paper in a frame
>
> Good evening,
>
> The Director of one of the surrounding libraries asked for my advice
> last week on local history items she has displayed in the library. The
> Director is mainly concerned about the condition of a collection of
> photographs that are framed and hanging in the entry way. Each display
> consists of several photographs glued (a lot of glue was used) to a paper
> backing (basically the back of the frame manufacturer's insert). She seems
> to believe that the frames were put together sometime in the 1980s, and
> would like to know if there is any way to remove the paper from the back of
> the photos. My immediate answer to her was "not without damaging the
> photograph", but I thought I would ask the listerv to make sure.
>
> Is there a safe way to separate the paper backing from the photo without
> damaging the photograph? Or should she just leave it alone?
>
> There are also paper labels attached with glue to the front of each
> photo.
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
> Becky
>
> Rebecca Damptz, MLIS
> Local History Librarian/Archivist
> Decatur Public Library
> Decatur, IL