This is an introduction to the strategic preservation of the collection against agents of deterioration, especially those environmental ones, such as light, relative humidity and atmospheric pollutants. The module will be in the form of a traditional presentation, group exercise, visit to a storage facility and/or exhibit and exercises using computerized equipment.
Upon completion of this module, participants will be able to:
Preservation principles and assessment Background and examination of the notion of standards versus guidelines. Preservation parameters such as object integrity, its current access (visibility) and its future access (preservation).Notion of preservation target and assessment of the degree of preservation of collections by using risk management concepts.
Light Sensitivity of objects to light and UV rays. Notion of dose. Preservation assessment of objects against radiation. Guidelines on lighting levels. Reflection and glare problems.
Relative humidity and temperature Sensitivity of objects to humidity and temperature fluctuations. Preservation assessment of objects against humidity. Guidelines. Control strategies.
Pollutants Sensitivity of objects to various airborne pollutants in buildings. Preservation assessment of objects against pollutants. Guidelines. Control strategies. Preservation assessment of a collection Preservation assessment using a simple computer program. Introduction to preservation indexes.
Improved preservation through a costs and benefits analysis. Set action priorities based on preservation assessment results. Select strategic options based on a costs and benefits analysis. Prepare a preservation plan.
Visits to a collection storage room and/or an exhibit gallery Application of concepts learned in class. Assessment of a site’s basic environment.
Staff and volunteers involved in collection management including its storage and access.
Jean Tétreault, Cliff Cook
English and French
Minimum 10; maximum 20
