Transcript Caring for the collection        Proper handling Storage environment Object packing Collection inventories Collection security Care of objects/collections when in transport Disaster preparedness.

Caring for the collection
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Proper handling
Storage environment
Object packing
Collection inventories
Collection security
Care of objects/collections when in transport
Disaster preparedness
Storage
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Stable, clean and pest-free environment
enhances long term preservation of collections
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Easy access to objects with minimal handling
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Secure with restricted access
Environment
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Environment
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Stable and clean
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Monitoring the environment
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Humidity and temperature
Light
Dust and air pollution
Pest free
Physical environment
Presence of pests
Good housekeeping – regular cleaning
Material specific environmental requirements
Pests and insects
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Insects
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Block insect routes
Keep storage clean
Maintain good air circulation
No food in building, bins outside
Check new acquisitions
Place traps and check activity
Infested material
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Bag and seal to contain infestations
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Check neighbouring material – clean the area
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Apply pesticides only if necessary – do not apply on objects
Consult a conservator
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Rodents and birds
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Rats and mice tear up and soil materials
Bird droppings can damage materials and
nests can harbour insects
Seal entry points
Remove food sources
Clean areas around building of debris and
weeds
Use traps – no baits
Ultrasound rodent control ?
Enclosures
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Protect from dust and environmental
fluctuations
Support objects
Chemically inert materials such as:
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acid-free/archival paper and card
unbleached calico (washed)
Tyvek (polyethylene)
Dacron (polyester fibre)
mylar (polypropylene)
good plastics : polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester
do not use PVC
Practical storage suggestions
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Keep objects off the floor – flood
Keep away from heaters, water pipes
Prepare for an earthquake – ledge on shelves
Cover to protect from dust
Label well – if boxed include an image
Have plastic sheeting available in case of leaks
Proper materials are expensive – set priorities for
replacing materials
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Materials touching the object first
Helping hands grant –Te Papa National Services
Before and after
Before and after
Examples of types of storage
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vertical
flat
boxed
hanging
rolled
3-D objects sometimes need
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internal supports
mounts
containers or crates
embedded in foam
Object movement control
Collection inventory
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Inventory provides:
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Record of what the museum holds
Verify object locations
Means to monitor condition and storage
requirements
Check consistency between accession numbers
and objects
Overview of the collection cataloguing status
Inventory is useful when you have
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Lots of uncatalogued material
Material that has been catalogued but has lost
the link to documentation
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No accession numbers on objects
Your location information is out of date
Carry out inventory
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Assign a unique name or number for each display or
storage location
Format of inventory –spreadsheet or paper forms
Work systematically through the stores and displays
Inventory should record
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Accession number or temporary number
Object name
Brief description
Location and date
Notes
Name of recorder and date
Reconcile the inventory with existing documentation
Security of collections
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Storage areas
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Restricted access to storage areas
Sign in on entry
Supervised access for researchers, trades people
doing maintenance etc.
Display areas
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Locked display cases
Staff presence
Camera surveillance
Care of objects on transit
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Loans and touring exhibitions
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Careful packing and crating
Clear address labeling
Reliable transport company
Allow objects to acclimatise
Relocation of collections
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Careful planning
Packing, transport, environment, security
Disaster preparedness
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Identify and assess risks to collections
Identify objects of greatest significance
Priorities in salvage
Assign roles to staff and train staff
Risk to collections from poor
building maintenance
Freeze drying
Recommended Reading
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The New Museum Registration Methods
Edited by Rebecca A Buck and Jean Allman Gilmore
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Artcare. The care of art and artefacts in New
Zealand Published by Auckland Art Gallery
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www.tepapa.govt.nz Te Papa National Services Te Paerangi
www.collectionslink.org.uk Collectionslink
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www.natlib.govt.nz
www.aiccm.org.au
National Preservation Office
Australian Institute for Conservation of Cultural material
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www.conservators.org.nz
New Zealand Conservators of Cultural Material
General discussion and questions