2015 Webinar Archives – Connecting to Collections Care

Seasonal Affective Disorder: Caring for Collections During Seasonal Special Events - December 3, 2015

Signature seasonal events are highly anticipated on many museum calendars. Winter holiday decorations, spring flower shows and gallery sleepovers delight donors, members, volunteers and the general public. Successful events evolve into cherished traditions for institutions. Due to the increased risk to objects on display, however, collections caretakers tend to dread seasonal events. Negotiating a path between collections care and event traditions can be tricky. Join us as we discuss ways to protect collections (and your sanity!) during seasonal events.

The Deaccessioning Dilemma: Laws, Ethics, and Actions - November 19, 2015

Deaccessioning is the opposite of accessioning—it is the permanent removal of an object from a collection. Disposal refers to what happens to a collection object after it has been deaccessioned. Although this important tool for collections control is as old as museums, these processes are fraught with contradiction and controversy. This webinar will address the deaccessioning and disposal of objects in the context of good collection stewardship, including criteria for justifying these decisions and deciding how to dispose of deaccessioned objects.

Marking and Labeling Collections - October 27, 2015

Collections need to be marked in some way to designate ownership and to manage the intellectual and physical control of objects in museums, libraries, archives and special collections – including living collections or research subjects in the field. This webinar will present the many ways that collections are marked and labeled. A history of marking will be briefly reviewed with an emphasis on types, technologies, considerations, problems, solutions, best practices and potential for future developments. This discussion should be of interest to registrars, collection care managers, and security, exhibits, education and programming professionals.

Insurance 101: Practical Considerations for Protecting Institutional Collections and Loans - October 8, 2015

This session is appropriate for all levels of experience from beginner to expert as an introduction and review of collections insurance basics and how they are an integral part of collections care. We will examine loss prevention, loss control and how to protect the collection through good housekeeping, landscaping, managing patrons, and during transport of objects. In addition, examples of recent claims and outcomes to illustrate how insurance responds to loss and damage will be presented.

Troublesome Trophies and Fragile Feathered Friends: Introduction to the Care of Historic Taxidermy - September 24, 2015

Taxidermy mounts are challenging composite artifacts susceptible to damage from both environmental and biological factors. Whether a single trophy mount graces your historic home, several form a diorama in your museum, or you have a collection of natural science specimens, knowing how mounts are made, how they deteriorate and how to care for them is essential for their preservation. This webinar is an introduction to the care of taxidermy by a master taxidermist and an objects conservator.

RE-ORG: Step-by-step Storage Reorganization for Small Museums - August 5, 2015

As museum collections continue to grow, adequate storage space is becoming a rare commodity. A recent international survey indicated that roughly two thirds of collections in storage were at serious risk. With poor storage conditions, it is challenging for museums to use collections for enjoyment, research or education; moreover, effective emergency response may be compromised. RE-ORG, developed by ICCROM and UNESCO, is a step-by-step methodology to assist small museums in reorganizing their storage areas for better access and conservation. The focus of RE-ORG is on making improvements to existing storage areas, and not on planning and building new facilities. This webinar is an introduction to the RE-ORG methodology and various tools (both current and upcoming), and to the Canadian Conservation Institute’s RE-ORG: Canada training program.

Facebook, and Twitter, and Instagram, oh my! Sharing museum collections through social media - July 14, 2015

Social media has infiltrated our lives, and it’s no longer restricted to personal use. Many cultural institutions are using social media outlets very effectively to connect and communicate messages to a wide variety of audiences. There are so many choices and platforms and ways of engaging with the public, which can make even just the term “social media” seem overwhelming or daunting. Whether you’re completely inexperienced or you’re looking to refine or streamline and make the most of your efforts, this webinar will provide an opportunity to learn more about what is out there, how different platforms are being used, and will provide tips for effectively using social media to share your collections, which ultimately assists in furthering access and preservation.

Preservation Metrics Today: Heritage Health Information and Preservation Statistics - June 11, 2015

Now more than ever, data drives decisions: Which projects should be funded? Where is staff needed? What activities should take priority over others? How can you find the data to help when you are looking for funding or trying to persuade your community or legislators to provide funds for collections care in you museum, historical society or library? Collections care is an ongoing process and the need for caring for collections doesn’t go away when times are lean. Having your specific needs spelled out can help you make a persuasive argument for future funding.

After Disasters: Salvage and Recovery in Small to Mid-Sized Museums and Libraries - May 1, 2015

Understanding the components of disaster response is key in successful recovery of collections of any type, size, and budget. This webinar will show professionals and volunteers the steps needed to save effectively collections.

When Less is All You Got! - April 21, 2015

The first part of the webinar will illustrate the diagnostic effects of the lack of environmental controls, and will discuss budget-conscious solutions to protect collections on display and in storage. The second part will deal with proper storage and display conditions so that objects can weather minor disruptions. If you don’t have ideal storage and display conditions, you need to have regularly updated priority lists of objects (in order of vulnerability) to check during/after an environmental failure or change.

Simplifying Preservation Planning Using Worksheets - March 5, 2015

How a small organization with limited funds and two staff members developed a successful strategy to meet its preservation and access needs.

Changes Afoot: Connecting to Collections Becoming Connecting to Collections Care - January 29, 2015

As of January 1, the management of the Connecting to Collections online community passed from Heritage Preservation to the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC). The features that you, the collections community, have enjoyed over the years – online forums, links to vital resources, and a free series of webinars – will continue. FAIC welcomes your thoughts on how Connecting to Collections can continue to serve your needs in the coming years.