Preserving an Old, Worn Scrapbook

I have a scrapbook that I would like to preserve. It contains mostly newspaper clippings, and several pages of clipped images from greeting cards. I plan on scanning it, however, I wonder what to do with the original. The book is about 100 years old, about 600 pages, and is approximately 11x11x6. The binding is also severely compromised. Thanks, Terry

This is a very large scrapbook that looks like it is difficult to handle. It does look like the binding is starting to fall apart because of the stress of all of the "scraps." I think at this stage, the best thing you can do if you want to preserve the contents is to number each page (for those that have lost their numbers or had them covered up) and then put each page (or up to 5 pages) in a folder and label the folders with the page numbers. These folders can then go into boxes. You can either use flip-top document boxes or gallery boxes. Folders and boxes can be purchased from our sponsor Hollinger Metal Edge. 

It may seem a shame to take the book apart, but if you want to preserve the contents and reduce the piles of paper each time you look at it, this is the best way.