Thinking Inside the Box: Custom Box Making for the World...Literally!

After working in Preservation for over a year, I realized that I never learned how to make a custom box. When an old globe in need of protection came my way, it was finally time to learn! Luckily, I didn't have to do it alone...

In collaboration with the University Archivist, a Library Graduate Assistant (GA) and an Intern in Preservation, we began to make plans to create a custom box for a valuable globe from the early 1800s!

All we had was this oversize tray...

 Once we began our planning, we decided to build the top of a box which would slide on top of the tray that was already being used to carry the globe. Here's what we did:
1. Cut out 4 pieces of Davey board (70 pt) to fit together inside the tray in which the globe was sitting in. Choose which piece would be the front and cut out a "viewing" window to allow for the globe to be exhibited without having to take off the protective pieces.

Our GA and Intern working hard! 

2. Score and glue the pieces of Davey board together. To reinforce the Davey Board we used strips of scored 10 pt folder stock paper and PVA glue on the inside corners of the box-to-be.

After gluing the Davey Board, we put strips along the inside corners from top to bottom

3. Size and glue in polyethylene foam pieces to act as base mounts on the bottom (tray) piece for the globe to sit on. This helps to minimize sliding or the globe falling over during transportation.

The foam pieces fit for each leg of the globe

4.  Score and brace the bottom of the box using 70 pt Davey board pieces (2 inches on each side) in each of the bottom corners. This prevents damage as the box is lifted from the tray.
5. Measure, cut, glue the top of the box which is currently open. We measured it to be 3/4 in smaller along the edges.
6. Line the outside edges of the box with strips of scored medium weight, paper-backed bookcloth (black) for a smoother appearance and added structure.
7. Adhere Mylar on the inside of the box to cover the "viewing" area for added protection. Use 3M double sided tape for this.
8. Step back and admire. Be sure to allow ample drying time in between the steps before getting ahead of yourself. This is not something you want to redo!

They did a great job! 

9. Have a little fun with it.
 

For other uses, why not try "Librarian in a Box"

10. Label, catalog, and place on shelf, exhibition area, etc. You can find this boxed globe on first floor in the Maps area!

Comment below if you have any questions on how this process worked or how you would have done it!  

All photos are courtesy of J.Dalbey at Memorial Library.

Jamie Dalbey is a Preservation and Government Documents Technician at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Learn more about Preservation here.

Updates to the South Central Minnesota Veterans History Project

A few South Central Minnesota Veterans History Project oral histories that have VHS videocassette recordings have been transferred to DVD and added to their respective collections. Copies of these DVDs are also being sent to the Veteran’s History Project to be added to their collections.

Collections transferred onto DVD include:

• Strohfus, Elizabeth, 1919-. Oral History Interview and Collection, undated-2004. SMHC Manuscript Collection 1722.
• Huhn, Allen, 1921-2011. Oral History Interview, 2004 SMHC Manuscript Collection 1725.
• Lee, Royal, 1916-2014. Oral History Interview and Collection, undated-2004. SMHC Manuscript Collection 1726.
• Schuster, Paul, 1924-2005. Oral History Interview, 2004. SMHC Manuscript Collection 1727.
• Young, Loy, 1923-2015. Oral History Interview, 2004. SMHC Manuscript Collection 1728. 

The Southern Minnesota Historical Center conducted an oral history project to document experiences of Americans during World War I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf Wars. Veterans of all branches of the military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine, were invited to participate. The SCMVHP was open to those who have some association, whether past or present to any of the following counties: Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Freeborn, LeSueur, Martin, Nicollet, Rice, Sibley, Steele, Waseca, and Watonwan.

Learn more about the South Central Minnesota Veterans History Project here.

As always, never hesitate to contact the University Archives with any questions you may have.



Mee Xiong is an Archives Technician at Minnesota State University, Mankato.