Collection Storage

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.

I. 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.

II. Assessment and Planning

Functional Planning for Collection Storage - Michael Lundholm

III. Creating and Renovating Storage Facilities Chapter 9: Design of Storage Facilities Walt Crimm Chapter 10: Environmental Management and Related Systems Michael C. Henry Chapter 11: Illumination for Collection Storage Paul Himmelstein, Scott Rosenfeld, and Steven Weintraub Chapter 12: Fire Protection for Collection Spaces Jeffrey LaSalle and Bryan L. Stemen Chapter 13: Securing Your Collections Steven R. Keller Chapter 14: Managing a Collection Move: Planning, Packing, and Logistics Heather Thorwald, Gretchen Anderson, Lori Benson, Jude Southward, Annette L. Van Aken, and Russell D. White IV. Facility Management Chapter 15: Facility Management: The Partnership with Collection Preservation Jeff Joplin Chapter 16: Emergency Management Rebecca Fifield Chapter 17: Safety and Health Issues within Storage Spaces Kathryn A. Makos, David Hinkamp, and James R. Smith Jr. Chapter 18: Integrated Pest Management for Museum Collections Thomas Strang, Jeremy Jacobs, and Rika Kigawa Chapter 19: Environmental Monitoring Konstantinos Ntanos and W. (Bill) Wei Chapter 20: Air Quality, Monitoring, and Management Peter Brimblecombe V. Specialized Collection Environments & Care Chapter 21: Specialized Macroclimates and Microclimates: Options for the Control of Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Pollutants Steven Weintraub Chapter 22: Low Temperature Storage Frank P. Simione Chapter 23: Storage in Fluid Preservatives John E. Simmons Chapter 24: Visible Storage Linda Edquist and Claire F. Larkin Chapter 25: Off-Site Storage Doris A. Hamburg Chapter 26: Outdoor Storage Situations George Prytulak Chapter 27: Storage of Human Remains Nancy Odegaard and Vicki Cassman VI. Storage Equipment and Materials Chapter 28: Storage Furniture Barbara P. Moore, Jeffrey C. Weatherston, Russell D. White, and Stephen L. Williams Chapter 29: Support and Rehousing for Collection Storage Rachael Perkins Arenstein, Lisa Goldberg, and Eugenie Milroy viii Contents Chapter 30: Evaluating Materials Used for Collection Storage Pamela Hatchfield Chapter 31: Wood and Related Products Pamela Hatchfield Chapter 32: Paper-Based Storage Materials Fenella G. France Chapter 33: Plastic Storage Products R. Scott Williams Chapter 34: Marking Collections Nora Sharon Lockshin VII. Storage of Digital Collections Chapter 35: An Introduction to Digital Preservation Sarah Slade, David Pearson, and Steve Knight Chapter 36: 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