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The article studies the application of the freeze-drying process to water-damaged archival and library materials. By soaking samples for 18 hours and draining for 5 hours, reproducible soaked samples were obtained; the amount of absorbed water was 121 ± 1 % in relation to the initial dry weight. The method was reproducible, simple and economic. The freeze-drying and evaporative-drying of soaked samples resulted in the complete drying of the paper in 18 hours, without excessive damage. With regard to antique documents, especially those containing miniatures or paintings, re-conditioning of dried, brittle paper is recommended, before handling.