February 15, 2016       
Northern States Conservation Center Northern States
Conservation Center

The Collections Caretaker e-Newsletter


Museum Security Issues 

In This Issue
American Association for State and Location History's Small Museum Pro!
Regional Workshops
Conferences and Meetings
Submissions and Comments
Lessons from a Fire in a Natural History Museum
Small Museums: Physical Security
Entry Screening
March 2016 courses
April 2016 Courses

Early Bird Discounts Available for Full Length Courses

 

An Early Bird Discount will be available for anyone who signs up for a full length course from museumclasses.org 30 days prior to the start of that course.  

 

Sign up for a full length course up to 30 days prior to its start and pay only $399.00!

 

For our course list or to sign up: http://www.collectioncare.org/course-list  

 

To take advantage of this discount, you must enter coupon code EARLYBIRD at checkout at collectioncare.org 

   

The Early Bird Discount deadline for April courses is March 5, 2016.

Upcoming Classes
American Association for State and Local History's Small Museum Pro!
Upcoming Courses
 
Collections Management
March 21, 2016 - May 6, 2016
Instructor: Dyani Feige
Description: 
This eight week course will introduce participants to the professional principles and practices in the management of museum collections. Topics will include collections development, registration and record keeping with an emphasis on the development of Collection Policies and Procedures and what it means to be intellectually and physically responsible for museum objects.
Care of Archaeological Artifacts from the Field to the Lab
Archaeological finds come out of the ground fragile - and they often stay that way. Yet archaeologists and museum professionals have few clear guidelines for handling, moving, storing and displaying such materials. Participants in Care of Archaeological Artifacts From the Field to the Lab learn techniques for safely lifting and packing artifacts, safe transportation and temporary and permanent storage. The course also covers a broad range of excavation environments, including the Arctic, wet sites, tropical and temperate. Though Care of Archaeological Artifacts is not intended to train archaeological conservators, it is designed to help participants understand what can and can't be done to save the artifacts they unearth.
Join Diana Komejan for this interesting and informative course: MS215 Care of Archaeological Artifacts from the Field to the Lab beginning March 7, 2016
Collections Management Policies for Museums and Related Institutions
Acquiring and holding collections impose specific legal, ethical and professional obligations. Museums must ensure proper management, preservation and use of their collections. A well-crafted collections management policy is key to collections stewardship. Collections Management Policies for Museums and Related Institutions helps participants develop policies that meet professional and legal standards for collections management. Collections Management Policies for Museums and Related Institutions teaches the practical skills and knowledge needed to write and implement such a policy. The course covers the essential components and issues a policy should address. It also highlights the role of the policy in carrying out a museum's mission and guiding stewardship decisions. Participants are expected to draft collections management policies.
Attic pottery in the Nicholson
Courtesy of www.dayofarchaeology.com
Join our new instructor, Kim Kenney, for this interesting and informative course: MS209 Collections Management Policies for Museums and Related Institutions beginning April 4, 2016
Formative Evaluations for Exhibits and Public Programs
Have you done some evaluation but did not get helpful information? Do you wish you could do evaluations, but think it is too hard or too expensive? Do you wonder how to get people to use an offered program more? Evaluations are feasible and easy. This course will help you determine what you really want to know, choose the right process to gather the information, develop meaningful questions, and figure out what the results tell you. Please have a program or text in mind (real or imagined) to work with during the course. Note: this course will not be looking at statistical analysis.
Picture of the Toi Maori exhibit; Hallie Ford Museum of Art
Join Karen Hostetter for this informative course on evaluation: MS237 Formative Evaluations for Exhibits and Public Programs beginning April 4, 2016
Regional Workshops

Where you can find some of our instructors in 2015:

Stevan P. Layne

  • American Alliance of Museums 2016 Annual Meeting, May 28, 2016
Certified Institutional Protection Manager Class
  • American Alliance of Museums 2016 Annual Meeting, May 29, 2016
Conferences and Meetings

Small Museum Association Annual Conference
Ocean City, Maryland
February 14-16, 2016

California Association of Museums
Riverside, California
March 2-4, 2016

Texas Association of Museums
Corpus Christi, TX
April 6-8, 2016 
 
Museum Store Association
Atlanta, GA
April 15-18, 2016
 
Museums Association New York
Museums - Core to Communities
The Wild Center & Lake Placid, NY
April 17-19, 2016
 
Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museums
Casper, WY
April 28 -30, 2016

Association of Academic Museums and Galleries
Washington DC
May 24-25, 2016
 
American Alliance of Museums
Washington, DC
May 26-29, 2016   

Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections
Berlin, Germany
June 20-25, 2016

Society of American Archivists
Joint Annual Meeting of the Council of State Archivists and Society of American Archivists
Atlanta, GA
July 31, 2016 - August 6, 2016

American Association of State and Local History
Detroit, Michigan
September 14-17, 2016

Alberta Museums Association
Calgary, Alberta
September 15 - 17, 2016

Western Museums Association
Phoenix, AZ
September 25-28, 2016.  
 
Southeastern Museums Conference
Charlotte, NC
October 10-12, 2016
 
 
Mountain-Plains Museums Association
Oklahoma City
October 23-27, 2016

National Association for Interpretation
Corpus Christi, Texas 
November 8-12, 2016
 
New England Museum Association
2016 Annual Conference
Mystic, CT
November 9-11, 2016

2017 
Society of American Archivists
2017 Annual Meeting
Portland, OR
July 23 - 29, 2017

Southeastern Museums Conference
2017 Annual Meeting
New Orleans, LA 
September 11-13, 2017

New England Museum Association
2017 Annual Conference
North Falmouth, MA
October 25-27, 2017
 
National Association for Interpretation
Spokane, Washington
November 14-18, 2017

  2018
Society of American Archivists
2018 Annual Meeting
Washington, DC
August 12- 18, 2018
 
Southeastern Museums Conference
2018 Annual Meeting
Jackson, MS
October 8-10, 2018
 
National Association for Interpretation
Dates and location TBD
November 2018
 
2019  
National Association for Interpretation
Denver, Colorado
November 12-16, 2019

Submissions and Comments

 

How to submit an article or upcoming workshops for inclusion in the Newsletter:  

If you would like to submit an article, notice of an organizational meeting or upcoming workshop for an upcoming Collections Caretaker Newsletter, send your submission to peggy@collectioncare.org.  

 

We are always looking for contributions to this newsletter. Submission deadline is the 10th of each month. 

 

Have a comment or suggestion?   

 

Send it to peggy@collectioncare.org

Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links
Welcome to the Collections Caretaker e-Newsletter from Northern States Conservation Center. The newsletter is designed to bring you timely and helpful content that is pertinent to situations we all encounter in our museum and archives work. Feel free to let us know what topics you would like to see featured in Collections Caretaker or even contribute an article.
Lessons from a Fire in a Natural History Museum
By Fiona Graham, Conservator, Canadian Museum of Nature; Sarah Spafford-Ricci, Royal Saskatchewan Museum and Lisa Kronthal, National Sciences Foundation
Courtesy of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum 
 
Lesson No. 1
  • It helps when the firefighters know and love your museum
  • Invite firefighters to tour your museum
  • Host a party for families of firefighters and police officers
Lesson No.2
  • Construction brings extra hazards
  • Watch what your contractors are doing
  • Develop guidelines for contractors working in museums
  • Know what equipment and materials they will be using
Lesson No. 3
  • Construction increases the fire risk
  • Insist on a fire watch
  • Make sure your fire detection and suppression systems are not compromised
Lesson No. 4
  • Fire is bad - sprinklers are good
  • OR
  • A little water is better than too much or none at all
Lesson No. 5
  • Consider the fire risk when designing exhibitions and storage layouts
  • Don't block sprinklers
  • Don't overheat fluid-preserved specimens
  • Think twice before designing a labyrinth
Lesson No. 6
  • Leaky cases mean dirty specimens
  • If an air-tight case is not a good idea, include filtered holes or use positive pressure from a clean air source
Lesson No. 7
  • Always clean with dry methods before using wet methods
Lesson No. 8
  • Soot is insoluble
  • Don't try to "solubilize" soot
  • Try to lift it instead
  • Oily components will come with the carbon particles
Executive Summary: Planning can make a big difference

Fiona Graham is a professional conservator specializing in preventive conservation. She holds a Masters degree in Art Conservation from Queen's University, Canada, and is accredited through the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators and the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals. Fiona offers consulting services to the museum and heritage field and teaches at Queen's University, Athabasca University, and the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts as well as for Museum Classes Online. Her areas of expertise include preventive conservation in facility design and operations, specifications and project management for conservation projects, metals conservation, facility assessments, and storage planning. 
Small Museums: Physical Security
By Peggy Schaller
 
People
The number one priority for any institution is life safety. Museums are no exception and, as public institutions, must make sure we provide a safe place for our staff and volunteers to work and for our visitors to enjoy themselves.
 
The staff interacts with the visitors and patrons on a daily basis. They also are charged with maintaining the building, making sure it is clean and presentable each day for those who come to visit the museum, and with making sure the building and grounds are safe. Staff members are also responsible for the Museum's collections--they document each artifact; prepare and maintain a safe place with proper storage materials for those items in storage; create safe and secure exhibit environments for those items being displayed in the Museum's galleries and public spaces; and maintain a current and accurate inventory of where each item in the collection is located.
 
Volunteers generally work directly with visitors and patrons alongside the paid staff. They may be charged with similar duties or may be assigned to man/woman the galleries and answer questions about the Museum and the exhibition(s). Volunteers may also be enlisted to assist staff with collections care and documentation.
 
As public institutions, Museums are charged with maintaining a safe environment for those who visit or use the resources provided by them. Therefore, the safety of our visitors and patrons is an important part of our jobs as museum staff or volunteers. A large percentage of museum visitors are the most vulnerable sector of our society--our children and our elders. Museums must be safe places for children to learn and have fun; and they must be safe places for elders to enjoy and move through without worries or hazards.
 
Finally, museums, like other businesses, must sometimes rely on outside contractors or workmen to perform maintenance or other tasks within the museum. The safety of these individuals must also be a concern for museum staff.
 
Museum Building
The Museum's building is the core of the institution--without it there would be no institution. The building must be protected from fire, vandalism, weather, water, and natural disasters. Routine maintenance is a must and repairs must be made timely to prevent leaks in roofs or skylights; rodent and insect pest problems; and/or unauthorized entry. Regular checks need to be made to the fire detection and suppression systems to ensure they are in working order; if alarms are used, these, too, need to be checked for any problems. Lighting needs to be checked and night security lights must be in working order.
 
The Museum grounds are the first line of defense for the institution. Be sure that they are well lit and that all exterior lighting is working. Keep plantings away from the building's walls--not only are these plants a great place to hide, they encourage small animals to make themselves at home in and around the building's foundation. If you have external exhibits or historic buildings, make sure these are secured against damage or theft both day and night. During open hours one of the best ways to insure the security of historic outbuildings is to utilize volunteer docents to give tours, talks and/or answer visitor's questions about each structure.
 
The Museum's collections--without collections most museums would cease to exist. There are, of course, non-collecting museums, but most small museums have very large collections.   Industry analysts state that in most museums 80% of their collections are in storage at any one time and only 20% are out on display. Therefore, the museum needs to have strategies to protect the collections in storage and the ones on display. There are some small museums that have everything on display, and this makes for a very crowded facility that may be difficult to adequately protect--small items could disappear without anyone even noticing, particularly if much of the display is open and not inside secured cases.
 
Storage facilities need to be secured and have access restricted to only those who are charged with the care of the collection--not everyone needs keys to the store. Displays need to be monitored periodically during the day and checked at closing and again during the opening of the museum.
 
Property of others including items on loan from other institutions for display; items on loan from individuals for display, evaluation or potential donation; and employee and visitor property need to also be protected.
 
Response
Policies and Procedures
Policies and Procedures MUST be written down and given to every staff member--paid or volunteer--and the Museum administration must not only read, understand and follow the policies themselves, they must make sure all the staff understand and follow them.
 
What policies and procedures?
  • Collections Management Policies and Procedures
  • Hiring Procedures that include background checks for everyone
  • Access Procedures for non-public areas of the museum
 
Excerpt from Security for the Small Museum Workshop available through Collections Research for Museums and presented by Peggy Schaller regionally to small (tiny) museums wanting to learn low and no cost security options. For more information on this workshop visit the  Collections Research for Museums website.
 
Peggy Schaller founded Collections Research for Museums in 1991 to provide cataloging, collection-management training and services. She has worked with a large variety of museums and collections for more than 23 years. Peggy, who lives in Denver, Colorado, has a bachelor's degree in anthropology with minors in art history and geology from the University of Arizona in Tucson. She has a master's degree in anthropology with a minor in museum studies from the University of Colorado in Boulder and is a Certified Institutional Protection Manager II. She provides workshops and project services to museums and historical societies all across the country. The Mission of Collections Research for Museums is to inspire museums to improve their professional standards, collections stewardship and service to their constituency through training in, and assistance with, documenting, preserving, protecting and managing their collections. For more information visit her web site  Collections Research for Museums. Peggy is also the Publications Manager, Certificate Program Coordinator, and Course Monitor for Northern States Conservation Center and museumclasses.org.
Entry Screening
By Stevan Layne

As we have been advising for some time, entry screening at all public (and staff) entries is a viable prevention tool in deterring armed intrusion. Recent terror-related events, in a variety of environments, have initiated placement of metal detection procedures in such iconic locations as Disney Parks, Sea World, and Universal Studios. Some of our larger institutions have also introduced metal detection at their public entries. Ball parks and stadiums ramped up their screening some time ago. The screening process is labor intensive, and not inexpensive. Enhancing life safety is a necessary expense. Many businesses and public institutions have given casual attention to entry screening, by simply observing entry points. It's not enough.

Some organizations cannot afford expensive equipment for scanning people and containers.   Those with limited budgets and/or limited staff should not ignore the need to screen every person, and every container entering your institution. We recognize the fact that in some locations the process is nearly impossible, especially those with an open perimeter, "open campus" environment.   Wherever possible, where entry points may be controlled, screening should be initiated.
Any level of package screening/personal screening needs to be introduced in a professional, "visitor friendly" manner.   No one likes being subjected to scrutiny by a stranger, or a person of authority. There is no reason why screening cannot be conducted while maintaining a high level of customer service. It's all in the attitude, and how the search is conducted. Screening personnel do not necessarily need to be security officers. There must be more than one person assigned to each screening point, or at least have the close proximity of a supervisor to respond.   The entire screening process needs to be formally documented, published, and distributed to assigned personnel.   Hands-on training, covering every step of the process, must be conducted so that every person assigned is prepared to handle a variety of scenarios which may occur during entry screening.

Do not forget the affect your screening process may have on persons entering the property. The public needs to be informed of what is required of them, treated with respect and courtesy, and kept moving forward at a reasonable pace.   IFCPP will offer a complete training package in the process of introducing and conducting proper entry screening. The next time you enter a location utilizing entry screening, take the time to observe how others do it, and the effectiveness of the process.

Stevan P. Layne is the principal consultant and chief executive of Layne Consultants International, a leading provider of cultural property protection advice. Steve is a former police chief, public safety director and museum security director. He is the author of Safeguarding Cultural Properties: Security for Museums, Libraries, Parks and Zoos, and the Business Survival Guide. Steve regularly presents to professional associations and has consulted with more than 400 museums and other institutions. Steve is the founding director of the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection and responsible for the professional training and certification of more than 1,000 museum professionals. For more information visit his web site  Layne Consultants International. 
March Courses
 
March 7 to 11, 2016
Instructor:  Helen Alten
Description:
To get anything done in your museum, you often need to get other staff to support the idea. All too often, preservation is left to one or two staff members and others believe it doesn't apply to them. For example, it is hard to successfully implement a pest management plan without full staff support. Everyone must buy into the notion of preservation. But how? Readings will introduce some ideas and participants in this course will brainstorm with Helen about what works, what might work - and what doesn't.
 
March 7 to April 1, 2016
Instructor:  Karin Hostetter
Description:
Volunteers are essential for most non-profit institutions. But good volunteers aren't born -- they are made. Even though they don't get paychecks, it takes time and money to have effective volunteers. Fundamentals of Museum Volunteer Programs teaches the basics of a strong volunteer program. Topics include recruiting, training and rewarding volunteers, as well as preparing staff. Instruction continues through firing and liabilities. Participants will end up with sound foundational knowledge for starting a new or strengthening an existing volunteer program based on a nine-step process.
 
March 7 to April 8, 2016
Instructor: Sue Near
Description:
Sound business practices are critical for a museum to fulfill its mission. Sounds like vegetables, right? Museum management is complex. A museum exists to preserve collections and educate, but it is also an institution that must employ sound business practices while being accountable to the public as a non-profit organization. Instructor Sue Near teaches participants how to administer a successful museum efficiently and effectively. Participants will engage in discussions about the changing cultural climate and its effect on museum operations.
 
March 7 to April 15, 2016
Instructor:  Helen Alten
Description:
Every museum object is unique, but items made of similar materials share characteristics. Museum Artifacts gives participants an understanding of the materials and processes used to make objects - knowledge that better prepares them to decide how to care for their collections. Participants study two objects that represent all materials found in our museums. Through an in-depth analysis of their components, participants explore all possible objects found in any museum.
 
March 7 to April 1, 2016
Instructor:  Diana Komejan
Description:
Archaeological finds come out of the ground fragile - and they often stay that way. Yet archaeologists and museum professionals have few clear guidelines for handling, moving, storing and displaying such materials. Participants in Care of Archaeological Artifacts From the Field to the Lab learn techniques for safely lifting and packing artifacts, safe transportation and temporary and permanent storage. The course also covers a broad range of excavation environments, including the Arctic, wet sites, tropical and temperate. Though Care of Archaeological Artifactsis not intended to train archaeological conservators, it is designed to help participants understand what can and can't be done to save the artifacts they unearth.
April 2016 Courses
April 4 to 29, 2016
Instructor:  Helen Alten
Description:
Every museum professional needs a solid foundation in preservation principles and techniques. Introduction to Collections Preservation provides an overview of current preservation issues from environmental monitoring to collection cleaning, exhibit mounts and storage furniture. Participants learn about every aspect of the modern museum and how the building, staff and fixtures affect preservation. Subjects include the agents of deterioration, risk management, object handling and transport, object labeling, exhibit lighting, security, emergency preparedness, materials for storage and display, storage and exhibit philosophies, and condition assessments.
 
April 4 to May 13, 2016
Instructor:  Karin Hostetter
Description:
Nearly every museum develops exhibits, but how can we improve communication with visitors while taking care of our objects? Exhibit Fundamentals explores exhibits from idea to final installation in a variety of settings. Topics include exhibit theory, the role of the museum's mission, creating a timeline, accessibility and script writing. Also covered are design elements, installation techniques, object safety and security, visitor safety and evaluations. Each student develops an exhibit plan for his or her museum.
 
April 4 to May 13, 2016
Instructor:  Kimberly Kenney
Description:
Acquiring and holding collections impose specific legal, ethical and professional obligations. Museums must ensure proper management, preservation and use of their collections. A well-crafted collections management policy is key to collections stewardship. Collections Management Policies for Museums and Related Institutions helps participants develop policies that meet professional and legal standards for collections management. Collections Management Policies for Museums and Related Institutions teaches the practical skills and knowledge needed to write and implement such a policy. The course covers the essential components and issues a policy should address. It also highlights the role of the policy in carrying out a museum's mission and guiding stewardship decisions. Participants are expected to draft collections management policies.
 
April 4 to 29, 2016
Instructor:  Sarah Kapellusch
Description:
A collection database is a necessary tool for accurate and efficient collections management. In Collection Management Databases you will learn what characteristics distinguish one database system from another; how a database can be used to manage inventory, conservation, pest management, and other aspects of collections management; as well as how to prepare your collection and documentation for entry into a database.
 
April 4 to May 13, 2016
Instructor: Fiona Graham
Description:
Outdoor sculpture, silver tea service, gold jewelry, axe head, wheel rim - metals are found in most museum collections and may be stored or displayed indoor or outdoors depending on the object. Learn how to identify different types of metal and their alloys. Gain an understanding of how and why metals deteriorate and methods for preventing deterioration from occurring or continuing. The pros and cons of different popular treatments will be covered along with recommendations for the least damaging approach to treatment. Care of Metals provides a simplified explanation of the chemistry and structure of metals, explaining the importance of the galvanic series and electrochemistry in care strategies. Starting with an overview of the history and function of metals and how they are made, the course will cover guidelines for handling, labeling, exhibiting and storing metals. An overview of treatments, including cleaning, used on metals and how appropriate they are for the long-term preservation of the metal object will help students make care decisions when consulting with conservators.
 
April 4 to 29, 2016
Instructor: Karin Hostetter
Description:
Have you done some evaluation but did not get helpful information? Do you wish you could do evaluations, but think it is too hard or too expensive? Do you wonder how to get people to use an offered program more? Evaluations are feasible and easy. This course will help you determine what you really want to know, choose the right process to gather the information, develop meaningful questions, and figure out what the results tell you. Please have a program or text in mind (real or imagined) to work with during the course. Note: this course will not be looking at statistical analysis.
 
April 11 to 15, 2016
Instructor: Diana Komejan
Description:
As we march boldly toward the 22nd century, artifact collecting includes that most fragile of materials - plastic. Not only is it in our collections, but it is used to house our collections, too. What problems have you seen? What problems have others seen? What materials are best? What can we, as caretakers, do to minimize long-term damage? Join Diana in this mini-course for discussing care and deterioration of plastics. Bring any questions you have about plastics in your museum.
Northern States Conservation Center (NSCC) provides training, collection care, preservation and conservation treatment services. NSCC offers online museum studies classes at www.museumclasses.org in Collections Management & Care, Museum Administration & Management, Exhibit Practices and Museum Facilities Management.

 

Sincerely,
Helen Alten, Director

Peggy Schaller, Publications Manager