Skip to content

Click on the titles below to view the information and videos for past webinars.

Decolonizing in Collections Care - November 16, 2023

What does decolonizing mean within the context of cultural resources stewardship (i.e. collections care)? How is theory put into practice and how can you affect organizational change within your scope of influence? In this webinar, you will learn how the Museum of Us and the broader museum field are undertaking this complex challenge by addressing institutional histories in reflective ways, prioritizing the work within an evolving framework of decolonizing initiatives, and learning valuable lessons along the way.

Fire Suppression for Museums - October 10, 2023

Fire is one of the greatest threats to museums and other cultural properties. Safeguarding these institutions and their collections requires fire suppression systems in addition to effective fire prevention measures. This presentation will provide an overview of the various types of fire suppression systems appropriate for cultural properties, including wet, dry and pre-action sprinkler systems, as well as water mist, total flooding clean agent, and hypoxic air systems. We will look at their benefits and drawbacks, as well as the practical application for small and mid-sized institutions of these systems in the museum environment.

The Poison Book Project - September 20, 2023

The Poison Book Project investigates potentially toxic heavy metals used in 19th-century, mass-produced Euro-American bookbindings, a common object type found across small and mid-sized institutions. This webinar will share practical advice on how to identify these potentially toxic books, as well as health and safety recommendations institutions large and small can use when they have identified poison books in their collections.

Arsenic in Collections - September 6, 2023

If you have suspicions that arsenic may be present in your collection, this webinar will review methods for detection, personal protective equipment, and how to work with these collections safely and effectively. Examples of the types of objects that contain arsenic, either through application of residual pesticides or by manufacture, include medicinal kits, geological specimens, dyed textiles, Indigenous materials with a museum history, and natural history specimens. This webinar builds from the Connecting to Collections, 2016’s “Arsenic and Old Lace: Controlling Hazardous Collection Materials” and will include and expand pertinent information.

Care of Tin-Mercury Amalgam Mirrors - July 19, 2023

Tin-mercury amalgam mirrors are found throughout small and mid-sized historical collections as tin-mercury amalgam was the primary method for producing glass mirrors from the 16th to the early 20th century. Beyond mirrors or looking glasses, other mirrored objects such as sconces and carriage lanterns also feature this type of material. Over time as these objects deteriorate, the amalgam becomes unstable, and mercury is released into the environment in both liquid and vapor states. While mercury contamination poses significant health risks, this webinar will highlight current practices for the safe handling and preventive conservation of these objects, as well as how to manage the risks posed by these objects while allowing for their exhibition.

How to Manage Volunteers in Collections - August 9, 2023

Volunteers are an integral part of a small and mid-sized cultural institutions workforce and can be found across departments. In this webinar we will provide an overview of collections volunteers – how to create a volunteer program or align an existing program with best practices.

CCAHA Collections Management Policy Toolkit (CMPT) - June 7, 2023

The Collections Management Policy Toolkit (CMPT) is a free online tool that allows users to build a customized Collections Management Policy for their organization or collection. Using a template developed by the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) with help from nationally renowned experts in the collections management field, the CMPT guides users through the process of creating a policy uniquely tailored to their collection and designed to meet professional, ethical, and legal standards.

May Day 2023 Where to Find Aid and How to Get Training for Disasters - May 2, 2023

As part of the annual #MayDayPrep program sponsored by FAIC, this C2C Care Webinar spotlights where small and mid-sized organizations can access resources immediately after they experience a disaster, what entities with trained volunteers can offer assistance to these organizations, and finally, training that collections professionals can attend to prepare their institutions and communities for disasters in the future.

Care of Judaica - April 3, 2023

This lecture on caring for Judaica in museum collections will provide cultural background and practical advice for collection care professionals in small and medium institutions, regardless of their collection care or Judaica background.

Exhibiting Photographs - March 21, 2023

In this webinar, we will go over the process of planning and executing the preparation of photographic objects for exhibitions with a focus on collections care issues. We will delve into some of the concerns related to the preservation of photographs on display, and the presenter will share helpful, accessible, and affordable solutions learned through some of the more challenging exhibition projects from the vast and wide-ranging photography collection at the George Eastman Museum.

A Discussion of Cold Storage Theory and Practice for Photographic and Paper-based Records - February 16, 2023

Storing photographic films, prints, and other paper-based records at low temperature invites the inevitable risk/benefit analysis. What preservation goals can be achieved? How physically safe are the materials? How hard is it to implement? How much does it cost? How restricted is access to the collection? There can be positive answers for all these questions even for small institutions with limited staff and financial resources. One can start small and scale cold storage projects over time if basic concepts are understood. This presentation will also include practical tips and tricks for measuring, monitoring, and passive climate control using sealed cold storage methods.

Sustainable and Passive Ways to Improve your Collection Environment - January 26, 2023

As temperatures rise globally, we are seeing a greater push for our organizations to be more sustainable. From city ordinances to the White House 2030 Initiative, we are all challenged to do better, and now is the time to act.

Back To Top