Resource List

The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) developed this list of basic requirements that need to be in place before following more specific advice on the care of collections. 

A good condition report is one of the cornerstones of documentation for any piece in a museum collection. This recorded webinar covers the benefits and the basics of condition reporting including how to examine and document a piece.

This free tool provides a step-by-step approach to improve a collection’s potential for use and access, while ensuring its long-term conservation.

Conserve O Grams are short, focused leaflets about caring for museum objects, published in loose leaf format. Click here to view the current selection of Conserve O Grams 

Who will benefit by reading Conserve O Grams?
• Both experienced and inexperienced museum staff responsible for the care and use of museum collections.
• Interested individuals who have collections of fine arts, furniture, ceramics and glass, leather work, books and papers.
How can the Conserve O Gram series help you take care of your collection?
• You will learn specific procedures, techniques and materials to care for your objects.
• You will receive resource lists including basic suppliers and bibliographies.
• You will keep up-to-date on museum and archival techniques and practices.

This printable handout of collections environment recommendations can serve as reference resource for your institution. Download as a pdf or as slides.

Temperature and humidity have a powerful impact on the condition of the collections in your care. Being aware of the environment in the areas that house your collections is essential to ensuring their long-term health. Dataloggers are battery powered devices equipped with sensors and a microprocessor to monitor and record data such as temperature, relative humidity, light, voltage, etc. Learn how to select a datalogger that is best for your institution in this recorded webinar.

In a two-part series of webinars, collections professionals address Prevention, Monitoring, and Identification of pests before sharing recommendations for Treating Infestations.

In this 90-minute recorded webinar, participants learn how to identify mold, deal safely with a mold outbreak, and how to prevent it from occurring in the first place. The webinar also discusses how mold might affect a variety of formats in your institution, from books and paper to leather and textiles.

This practical guide designed by AAM helps museums build and refine five "core documents," so named because they are fundamental for basic professional museum operations and embody core museum values and practices. The core documents include:

• mission statement
• institutional code of ethics
• strategic institutional plan
• disaster preparedness/emergency response plan
• collections management policy

Using real-life examples in this one-hour recorded webinar, instructor Bruce MacLeish demonstrates how to use a collections management policy to help make and enforce difficult decisions.

This technical leaflet from AASLH outlines principles, strategies and tips to garner support from the private and pubic sectors for your collections. The booklet also offers examples from a variety of institutions showing how to raise the visibility of collections care so that fundraising for preservation and conservation can be successful. https://learn.aaslh.org/products/technical-leaflet-242-diy-strategic-planning-for-small-museums#tab-product_tab_overview

AAM offers the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) for small and medium sized museums. It is a one year process of self-assessment, institutional activities, and consultative peer review.  MAP offers three different assessments to choose from; organizational, board leadership, collections, education and interpretation, and community engagement. The organizational assessment places significant emphasis on strategic planning as well as ensuring operations and resources align with the museum’s mission.

StEPs is AASLH’s self-study program designed specifically for small- to mid-sized history organizations, including volunteer-run institutions. Through a workbook, online resources, and an online community, organizations enrolled in StEPS assess their policies and practices and benchmark themselves against national museum standards. The program is divided into six sections. In each section, organizations can identify their current practice as Basic, Good, or Better. Each level has its indicators, allowing organizations to set realistic goals and tackle challenges in small, manageable steps.

Perhaps the simplest action you can take to prepare for emergencies, the Pocket Response Plan (PReP) allows staff to keep a reminder of whom to contact in emergencies and an emergency response checklist with them at all times. The template can be downloaded and customized for your institution.

This free mobile app provides practical advice for saving collections in the first 48 hours after disaster strikes, outlining critical stages of disaster response and practical salvage tips for nine types of collections, from photographs to natural history specimens. A printed version can be purchased here.

This online disaster planning template walks cultural institutions through the process of building a plan for disaster prevention and response.

This Small Museum Toolkit blog post outlines the basic components of a building operations manual.

Preservation Briefs provide guidance on preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring historic buildings. These NPS Publications help historic building owners recognize and resolve common problems prior to work. The briefs are especially useful to Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program applicants because they recommend methods and approaches for rehabilitating historic buildings that are consistent with their historic character.

This webinar explores the variety of building and collections tasks that go into seasonal closings. 

The AZA website provides a wide range of free information, including animal care manuals, sustainability reports, and training modules that have been developed to enhance animal health, husbandry, and welfare practices.

The American Public Gardens Association publishes informational pdfs on topics ranging from a voluntary code of conduct for invasive species to recommendations for collections planning. Explore the website further for additional resources, including funding opportunities for public gardens.

At times, it may be necessary to consult a professional conservator for collections care assistance. You may also find the Find a Professional tool useful. The tool allows you to search for conservators by specialty area, geographic location, and services provided.