When Barack Obama is sworn in Tuesday as the country’s first African-American president, it may be more than just a historic moment. For some, it may be a souvenir moment.

Helen Krische, an archivist at Lawrence’s Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Mass., said she expects there will be lots of folks tucking away newspapers, magazines, posters and video recordings to remind them of the day.

But Krische is reminding people that getting a souvenir is easy. Storing it so it will last generations takes a bit of work.

“Everybody knows that a newspaper left in a car will start deteriorating in a couple of days,” Krische said.

But there are ways to stop your memento from fading away.

Krische said if people want to save a newspaper, they should insert acid-free tissue paper in between the pages, and then put the paper in an acid-free box. Such supplies usually can be bought where picture framing or scrapbooking products are sold.

Krische said people should be wary of placing paper products in plastic boxes because many types of plastic give off gases that will increase deterioration.

Throwing a newspaper, magazine or book into a dresser drawer to preserve also isn’t a good idea.

“Most dressers are wood, and wood is very acidic,” Krische said.

People who are really serious about saving a memento should place the item in the freezer.

“The coldest place in the house is a pretty good rule,” Krische said of locations that artifacts can be stored.

Krische, though, said to be careful of storing items where temperatures vary significantly. Generally, paper artifacts should be stored at 68 to 72 degrees. That makes attics and garages among the worst locations.

In anticipation of the day, the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services also sent out tips for preserving inauguration items. Among the basics:

• Keep printed material away from light.

• Inspect your items regularly to deal with problems as they arise.

• Store items in areas where humidity will be near 50 percent.

The Journal-World on Tuesday will wrap its editions of the newspaper with a special poster commemorating Obama’s inauguration.