Simple Tips For Better Museum Storage

By Phyllis Schroeder


When you possess a collection, you aim to store it properly so that it can be kept away from harmful elements like the glare of the sun or the harsh wind. Even dust and dirt should be kept away if you do not your collection to lessen in value. The said collection must be stored properly to ensure that it is safe and secure.

If you want to store the collection properly, it is imperative that you find quality containers to store them in. You have several museum storage boxes or containers you can use to ensure safety and security for the collection. To store the collection properly, here are some of the tips for proper storing you can follow for your collection.

First, you have to separate the small objects. These are best stored on shelves or inside drawers. You must find those steel shelves and drawers with fused powder coating. If not this, an alternative would be anodized aluminum. Better stay away from wood products because it has an off-gassing volatile component such as formaldehyde.

All the shelves should have a padding. This can serve as a cushion for the collection. It also reduce the risks of abrasion. A special padding material you can use for the said shelves would be the Polyethylene microfoam. Not only the padding, you should also use dust and light cover, the ideal ones being muslin line with black polyester fabric.

When what you have in this collection are office records, publications, exhibition furniture, and similar non-collection items, then you better look for another container where you can separate them. Be sure to store them in other areas. That way, you can ensure your collection's safety and then provide better access for them.

Maps, documents, and the smaller objects must be stored in flat files. There are flat files you can easily find in your shallow drawers. You can store them in there. Just be sure to place an interleaving in these paper documents. For the interleaving, you can choose between acid-free papers and glassine. The glassine must be changed periodically, though.

Photographs and similar documents can also be collected. There are people who love to do that. If the size are smaller than or similar to the file cabinet drawer, you must store them in the Mylar sleeves. Find acid-free envelopes and folders. Avoid cramming too many pieces here since that can crush them against each other.

For the clothes you have that are still in good condition, you got to store them on padded hangers in your closet. When they are fragile, make sure to individually store them in shallow, acid-free boxes. The said method will give you easy access, especially when you label them properly. It can minimize overcrowding and crushing too.

If what you have are equipment, furniture, artifacts, or boxes, it is imperative that you lift them off the floor. All of the items you consider your collection should at least be six inches off of the floor. That way, you can certainly protect the collection item you have in your possession from harmful elements such as insects, pests, moisture, and cleaning machines.




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