• Conbooks are the black box of our community—primary sources for future historians.
• They record who we were, what we built, and what mattered to us.
• Most are rare, fragile, and easily lost to time or neglect.
• The majority of leftover copies are usually thrown out instead of given away, making surviving originals even rarer.

Every copy matters. Every year matters. Every page is history.

• Store in a cool, dry place: Avoid attics, basements, and direct sunlight.
• Keep flat and supported: Store books upright or flat, not slanted or bent.
• Handle with clean hands: Oils and dirt can damage pages and covers.
• Watch for rust: Staples can rust and stain paper—consider archival sleeves or polyester strips.
• Digitize when possible: Scan or photograph rare or damaged books to preserve their content.

• Have a rare or old conbook? Consider donating or lending it to the archive for digitization.
• Even a single copy can fill a gap in fandom history.
• Contact us for safe donation, scanning, or return options.

• Run a staffed archive intake table with clear signage, such as "Archive Your Conbook Here."
• Use a simple intake log (event, year, condition, donor) so materials keep their context.
• Coordinate post-event pickup with venue or hotel staff so abandoned books are recovered quickly.
• Offer low-friction incentives like raffle entries or donor recognition to boost participation.
• Review your own collection annually and digitize or sleeve any at-risk books.