The term 'volume' is used in the field of archival records to describe an item in the form of a bound book. Volumes may be bound in a variety of styles to protect the pages inside:

• case bindings – paperbacks and hardbacks as found in bookshops today, where the cover is made separately and wrapped around the text block.
• comb or spiral bindings – one of a number of simple do-it-yourself binding techniques that have recently become available for business and government reports, diaries and one-off documents
• fine bindings and limited editions – books that are hand bound by a craftsperson, where the binding should be considered as an integral part of the volume – there are only a few such volumes within the holdings of the National Archives of Australia and they are often part of personal archives
• ledgers and registers – big leather or suede bound books of the 19th century, designed to open flat and be written in daily – they were required to be very durable and were made out of strong materials
• logbooks and diaries – usually, these volumes have structurally simple bindings, which can vary in size and quality – they are often hand-written manuscripts
• loose-leaf binders and folders – any binding that allows individual leaves to be added or exchanged regularly and easily
• photograph albums and post bindings – any binding that uses a number of metal posts or screws to hold the binding and the text block together. The post may or may not be designed to open easily to add pages

The binding of a volume may incorporate the following materials:

• adhesives
• cardboard
• cloth
• leather
• metal
• paper 
• plastic 
• parchment
• suede
• thread 

All the materials listed above are prone to deterioration over time. For example:

• some papers become brittle over time
• parchment is very moisture sensitive – cockling and growing mould when damp, cracking when dry
• textiles and leather are susceptible to mould growth in humid conditions
• metals corrode
• adhesives age and become brittle, losing their tack

Furthermore, the handling and use of a volume can also cause damage. For example:

• spines can be broken by opening the volume too far
• spines and covers can be torn away
• pages can be torn or pulled out

All this deterioration can be minimised through practical measures in the areas of handling, photocopying, protective packaging, storage environment, pest control and labelling.

As with any archival item, correct handling of volumes will aid in preserving them for as long as they are required.

• Handle with care.
• Take care not to drag the volume across surfaces as this will scratch the cover.
• When removing a volume from a shelf, gently push the items either side of the volume into the shelf so that the required volume protrudes. Remove the volume from the shelf by holding the centre of the spine.
• Do not pull the volume from the shelf by placing a finger at the top of the spine and pulling it off the shelf – this will lead to the spine being torn from the book.
• Trolleys should be used when moving heavy volumes or more than one volume at a time.
• It is acceptable to carefully carry single items.
• When opening a volume, lay it on a clean flat surface. Open the volume gently, without forcing the spine down flat.
• Fragile volumes should be supported in a 'V' shape when open, by placing a block of wood or a bundle of cloth on the table under each cover. Such action helps reduce the stress put on the binding when the volume is open.
• Do not use adhesive tape to repair pages or spines. If the covers are falling off simply tie the volume (like a present) with cotton tape until a more permanent repair can be made.
• Volumes should not be cleaned with anything. The leather, in most cases, does not need dressing. If loose dust or dirt is present, a very soft, wide brush (such as the haké-type brushes available at art supply shops) may be used to gently brush it away.
• You may notice some old ledgers leaving a red dust on your fingers whenever you touch them. This is known as 'red rot' and is caused by a combination of air pollutants and poor leather manufacturing processes during the late 19th century. The volume may be placed in a plastic bag to stop the dust getting everywhere.

Photocopying volumes should be avoided if possible, as this can be very damaging. If copying cannot be avoided, consider the following points.

• Take your time.
• Carefully place the volume down on the platen without forcing the spine down flat.
• If the volume is thick, cover it with a piece of card while on the copier instead of closing the lid and squashing the volume.
• Don't leave the volume lying face down for a long time; make sure it is closed as soon as the copying is finished.

Volumes can usually be considered to be already in their protective packaging since, except in special cases, this is the function of the binding. Because of this, volumes can be placed on shelves without boxes.

Some volumes have decorative bindings that form an intrinsic part of the item and so must be protected from dust and dirt by being boxed or wrapped in some way.

Boxes may also be used if the volume is fragile or damaged, if they need to be grouped together, or if boxes would make retrieval easier.

Before placing a volume on a shelf or in protective packaging, it is important to ensure that it is free of dust and unaffected by mould, insects or active corrosion. Affected volumes should be isolated and advice on how to deal with them sought through the Agency Service Centre.