Caring For Collections

Caring for Collections  explores multiple dimensions of collections care ranging from physical preservation to cataloguing. This module asks the following questions: 

  1. What does it mean to care for collections? 
  2. Should preservation of physical integrity always be the highest priority aspect of collections care? 
  3. Why is collections care so resource intensive? 

Downloads:

The documents for this module include a powerpoint presentation, accompanying moderator notes, and an optional handout. The moderator notes include a slide-by-slide script, guidelines for facilitating the integrated discussions, ideas for customizing the presentation, and suggested supporting activities. The presentation may be delivered as written, but you are also encouraged to adapt or excerpt it for use in different contexts.

Caring For Collections (All)

Download Individual Module Items:

Suggested Readings:

Short Reading: 
Kenny, Nancy. “‘A resting time for the art’: with museums shut, US conservators seize on strategies to safeguard their collections.” The Art Newspaper, May 25, 2020.

  • Did closing museums during the pandemic make it easier or more difficult to care for the artwork? 
  • What are some ways that less interaction with people made it easier to preserve artwork? Are there ways that interaction was helpful for preservation? 

Academic Article:
“Collections Care.” In Concern at the Core: Managing Smithsonian Collections, Smithsonian Institution, 2005, pp. 109–138.

  • Why is it important for museums to maintain an accurate, detailed inventory?  
  • What are some of the common dangers to stored collections? How can museums work to mitigate these concerns?  
  • Why does the article suggest that museums categorize their collections into priority groups when considering care needs? What are some of the benefits and drawbacks of different methods of prioritization?  

Academic Article:
Schaffner, Jennifer. “The Metadata IS the Interface: Better Description for Better Discovery of Archives and Special Collections.” OCLC Research, 2009.

  • In this article, Schaffner focuses on findability for users. Why is this an important element of collections care? 
  • Throughout this piece, Schaffner discusses “known” and “unknown” items. Why is it important for users to be able to find “unknown” items?  

Professional Resource:
Shelley, Marjorie (editor). The Care and Handling of Art Objects: Practices in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019.

  • What types of challenges do the different needs of different types of objects pose for museums and special collections?  
  • What types of resources are required for collections care?