These questions were compiled from the virtual reference transcripts. These were the most requested topics of discussion.
Check out our Vendor page for a listing of suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I recognize a pest problem in our collections? What can I do to get rid of such a problem and prevent it from recurring?
Conservation Online (CoOL) provides this list of links to pest management resources.
Conserve-O-Grams from the National Park Service are another good resource. Look under section three for pest management.
An Insect Pest Control Procedure: The Freezing Process
Monitoring Insect Pests with Sticky Traps
Controlling Insect Pests: Alternatives to Pesticides
Anoxic Microenvironments: A Treatment for Pest Control
2. Where can I find the materials I’ll need to re-house/store our collections?
Choosing a Vacuum Cleaner for Use in Museum Collections
Museum Storage Cabinets
Buffered and Unbuffered Storage Materials
Determining Museum Storage Equipment Needs
Determining Museum Storage Space RequirementsDust Covers for Open Steel Shelving
Modifying Museum Storage Cabinets
Safe Plastics and Fabrics for Exhibit and Storage
A. Furniture
Caring for Furniture
Cleaning Wood Furniture
Waxing Furniture and Wooden Objects
Protecting Wood with Preservatives and Water Repellants
Upholstered Furniture: Agents of DeteriorationSilicone in Furniture Waxes and Polishes
B. BooksCaring for Your Books
What makes a Book Rare?
Care and Security of Rare Books
Use and Handling of Rare BooksHow to Care for Bound Archival Materials
A Phase Box for the Protection of Books
C. ManuscriptsStoring Archival Paper-Based Materials
Housing Archival Paper-Based MaterialsArchives: Preservation Through Photocopying
Removing Original Fasteners from Historic Documents
Attachments for Multi-Page Historic Documents
Archives: Reference PhotocopyingReformatting for Preservation and Access: Prioritizing Materials for Duplication
Storing Archival Paper-Based Materials
Housing Archival Paper-Based Materials
Handling Archival Documents and ManuscriptsHow to Preserve Acidic Wood Pulp Paper
D. Objects
Caring For Your Ceramics & Glass Objects
Removing Dust from Ceramic and Glass Objects
Storing and Handling Plaster ObjectsCaring for Historic Longarms: Storage and Handling Requirements
Caring for Silver and Copper Alloy ObjectsStorage Concerns for Geological Collections
Dusting Guidelines for Stone Objects and Interior Architectural Features
E. Paintings
The Care and Preservation of Oil Paintings
Caring for Your Paintings
F. Art on paper
Window Mats for Paper Objects
How to Flatten Folded or Rolled Paper Documents
Exhibit Mounting Variations for Objects on Paper
The Care and Preservation of Documents and Works of Art on Paper
Caring for Your Documents and Works of Art on Paper
G. Photographs
Caring for Your Photographic Materialsstorage enclosures for negatives and prints
H. Textiles
Antique Textiles and Costumes
Caring for Your Textiles
Storage Techniques for Hanging Garments: Padded HangersStorage Techniques for Hanging Garments: Dust Covers
A Simple Storage Mat for Textile Fragments
Synthetic Fibers in Costume Collections
3. How do I find a conservator to work on items in my collection?
For information on the process of selecting and working with a conservator, visit these two web pages: Jan Paris’ article “Choosing and Working with a Conservator” .The American Institute for Conservation’s “Guidelines for Selecting a Conservator”
To find the name and contact information of a conservator in a particular field.
4. What are some collection environment guidelines?
The American Institute for Conservation Caring for Your Treasures series covers many types of collections and includes tips on proper environment.
The Conserve-O-Grams series also has some information on collection environment issues in section three.
A. Environmental monitoring and control
Conservation Online: Environmental monitoring and control
Choosing UV-Filtering Window Films
B. Temperature and Relative Humidity Guidelines
Conservation Online: Temperature and Relative Humidity
Using a Psychrometer to Measure Relative Humidity
Calibration of Hygrometers and Hygrothermographs
Datalogger Applications in Monitoring the Museum Environment, Part I:Comparison of Temperature Relative Humidity Dataloggers (Revised)Mold and Mildew: Prevention of Microorganism Growth in Museum Collections
C. Microclimates, Exhibit Cases
Conservation Online: Microclimates
Using Silica Gel in Microenvironments
Fabricating Secure Hangers for Framed Works of Art
Tamper-Resistant Fasteners for Museum Exhibit Cases
Fabricating Secure Hangers for Framed Works of Art
Tamper-Resistant Fasteners for Museum Exhibit Cases
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This page updated April 17, 2004
by the University Libraries Webmaster,
Copyright © 2004, the University of South Carolina.
URL http://www.sc.edu/library/preservation/announce.htmlPreservation Services
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Phone: 803-896-0780
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