Difference between revisions of "Collection Storage"

Revision as of 21:28, 3 September 2019

The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, The American Institute for Conservation, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Museum Studies Program of George Washington University collaborated on a new book entitled Preventive Conservation: Collection Storage edited by Lisa Elkin and Christopher A. Norris. The volume discusses all aspects of collection storage, from planning and assessment, through building design and facilities management, to storage furniture and specimen housing. The book is now available at https://store.culturalheritage.org. Details: Trim size 7 x 10; 944 pages; full color. ISBN 978-0-9978679-2-3. $95 hardcover.

Fundamentals

Preventive conservation is a collaborative endeavor that can only succeed when all stakeholders—whether within the institution or beyond its walls—are actively engaged with collections. It has evolved from being the domain of conservators and collection care staff, often working in relative isolation, to a discipline that requires a more dynamic, interdisciplinary approach. In order to be truly successful, preventive conservation must include increased engagement with a variety of people, some of whom may not even work at the museum. Knowledge gathered through consultations and crowdsourcing can help museums better organize storage and broaden interpretation, making collections more relevant and accessible. Interdisciplinary partnerships within the museum itself are also vital; identifying partners at all levels of the institution and getting them engaged will ultimately benefi t the collections. Finally, preventive conservation must also address physical and chemical deterioration. A comprehensive conservation program that includes preventive care, treatment, research, and documentation will increase access, use, and preservation of collections. In combination, the chapters in this section demonstrate that preventive conservation cannot be conducted in isolation but instead requires a holistic, inclusive approach. It is fundamental that collection storage aid in preserving collections for the future while increasing accessibility and engagement today.

Respectful and Responsible Stewardship: Maintaining and Renewing the Cultural Relevance of Museum Collections - Sanchita Balachandran and Kelly McHugh

Building Internal Partnerships for Collection Care - Dieter Fenkart-Fröschl and Christopher A. Norris

A Preventive Conservation Approach to the Storage of Collections - Carolyn L. Rose, Catharine A. Hawks, and Robert Waller

Assessment and Planning

Collection Risk Assessment - Robert Waller

Collection-Care Surveys for Preventive Conservation - Joel Taylor

Balancing Collection Storage with Historic Buildings - Nancy McCoy

Building Project Process - Walt Crimm

Functional Planning for Collection Storage - Michael Lundholm

Creating and Renovating Storage Facilities

Design of Storage Facilities - Walt Crimm

Environmental Management and Related Systems - Walter Henry

Illumination for Collection Storage - Paul Himmelstein, Scott Rosenfeld, and Steven Weintraub

Fire Protection for Collection Spaces - Jeffrey LaSalle and Bryan L. Stemen

Securing Your Collections - Steven R. Keller

Managing a Collection Move: Planning, Packing, and Logistics - Heather Thorwald, Gretchen Anderson, Lori Benson, Jude Southward, Annette L. Van Aken, and Russell D. White

Facility Management

Facility Management: The Partnership with Collection Preservation - Jeff Joplin

Emergency Management - Rebecca Fifield

Safety and Health Issues within Storage Spaces - Kathryn A. Makos, David Hinkamp, and James R. Smith Jr.

Integrated Pest Management for Museum Collections - Thomas Strang, Jeremy Jacobs, and Rika Kigawa

Environmental Monitoring - Konstantinos Ntanos and W. (Bill) Wei

Air Quality, Monitoring, and Management - Peter Brimblecombe

Specialized Collection Environments & Care

Specialized Macroclimates and Microclimates: Options for the Control of Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Pollutants - Steven Weintraub

Low Temperature Storage - Frank P. Simione

Storage in Fluid Preservatives - John E. Simmons

Visible Storage - Linda Edquist and Claire F. Larkin

Off-Site Storage - Doris A. Hamburg

Outdoor Storage Situations - George Prytulak

Storage of Human Remains - Nancy Odegaard and Vicki Cassman

Storage Equipment and Materials

Storage Furniture - Barbara P. Moore, Jeffrey C. Weatherston, Russell D. White, and Stephen L. Williams

Support and Rehousing for Collection Storage - Rachael Perkins Arenstein, Lisa Goldberg, and Eugenie Milroy

Evaluating Materials Used for Collection Storage - Pamela Hatchfield

Wood and Related Products - Pamela Hatchfield

Paper-Based Storage Materials - Fenella G. France

Plastic Storage Products - R. Scott Williams

Marking Collections - Nora Sharon Lockshin

Storage of Digital Collections

An Introduction to Digital Preservation - Sarah Slade, David Pearson, and Steve Knight Care of Born-Digital Objects - Riccardo Ferrante

VIII. Storage at a Glance Introduction Lisa Elkin and Robert Waller Bone, Antler, Ivory, and Teeth Christopher A. Norris and Robert Waller Books Alice Cannon, Jean Holland, and Belinda Gourley Ceramics Victoria Oakley and Fi Jordan Chitin Suzanne Ryder Electronic Media Sarah Stauderman Film and Film Negatives Andrew Robb Fossils Matthew Brown Glass Stephen Koob Keratin Julia Sybalsky and Lisa Elkin Metals Ian D. MacLeod and Shelley Sturman Minerals, Gems, and Meteorites Robert Waller Paintings: Traditional Sarah Spafford-Ricci and Emily Min Paintings: Nontraditional Sarah Spafford-Ricci and Emily Min Paper Alice Cannon, Elizabeth Melzer, and Belinda Gourley Photographs: Positive Prints and Plates Paul Messier Plant Material Victoria Purewal Plastics Mary Coughlin Shells and Corals Paul Callomon Skin, Leather, and Parchment Catharine A. Hawks and Robert Waller Textiles Patricia Wood Emily Williams Glossary Index