Northern States Conservation Center
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Providing collection care, preservation and conservation treatment services to collectors and collecting institutions.

Collections Caretaker

Collections Caretaker (July 9, 2010)
                                                                                             July 2010
Northern States Conservation CenterNorthern States
Conservation Center
The Collections Caretaker Newsletter


In This Issue
New StEPs Program
Museum Cleaning
Museum Security
Mission Statement
Quick Links
Museum Classes
Join Our Mailing List
Northern States Conservation Center provides training, collection care, preservation and conservation treatment services.
AASLH Collections Management Workshop
New StEPs program changes workshop offerings

Standards and Excellence Program
Annually the AASLH collections management workshop is hosted by a different U.S. museum.  June 24-25, the Connecticut Humanities Council hosted the workshop at the Wethersfield Historical Society for 24 participants.

Using board games and the newly launched StEPs (Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations) program guidelines, Vicki Berger and Helen Alten emphasized the basic procedures and policy documents needed for a museum to manage collections professionally.  Participants received the CCI's Framework for Preservation wall chart, cotton gloves, sample materials, supplier catalogs and a valuable networking opportunity. Winners of "Get a Clue: Agents of Deterioration Board Game" received emergency flashlights.
Museum Cleaning Basics online class
Starting July 19, 2010
Cleaning a triceratops
Cobwebs in the gallery, dust on the dinosaur skeleton, mice in storage - a dirty museum results in poor visitor experience and poor collections preservation. In a museum, cleanliness really is next to godliness.

Museum Cleaning Basics explores everything you need to know about cleaning your collections and collections areas. Participants learn when to clean - and when not to clean. They also learn how to make those decisions. Topics range from basic housekeeping to specific techniques for specific objects. You will learn why cleaning is important and how to prevent damage when cleaning. We will look at specific techniques that minimize damage while getting the work done. And we will discuss when to call in a specialist, such as a conservator. Students will create a housekeeping manual for their institution.
Introduction to Museum Security
Starting July 19, 2010

Electronic or manual logs keep tabs on who enters collection areas.
security keypad
World events continually remind us just how important security is. The FBI and Interpol databases record thefts from small rural museums and world renowned art collections. The prevalence of collections lost to theft is brought home to us with regular sensational newspaper stories. And then there are the internal thefts, fires, and collection vandalism that also result in loss. Security must be a priority for every museum, regardless of size. Introduction to Security teaches basic, practical approaches to protecting against threats such as theft, vandalism, violent acts, natural disasters, fire and environmental hazards. Topics include selecting security systems, determining security needs and how to build affordable security systems. Screening, hiring, firing, workplace violence, policies and procedures and emergency management planning are covered as well.
The Mission Statement: Is it really that important?
Starting July 12, 2010

We hope you enjoyed this issue of Collections Caretaker.  Please let us know if there are topics you would like covered in the future.



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Updated 11 May 2002