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  • 1.  Storage solutions/ concerns about offgassing.

    Posted 10-24-2024 17:43

    I am the Collection's Manager at a museum that is moving its entire location into a new warehouse for 5 years until our new museum is done being built.

    Racks have been ordered to house the collection that aren't generally used for a collection's storage. They are 5' x 12' metal racks, and the shelves are not a solid metal, but are interwoven, so there needs to be a layer in between the shelving and the object so nothing falls through.

    The idea is to order plywood, 3/4", but I am concerned about offgassing from the plywood. 

    It was suggested to put a sort of foam sheet down (something you'd find off of Uline) and staple that down so it doesn't move, but I am concerned about long term storage and once again, offgassing. 

    Are there any solutions you could think of?

    Thank you,

    Allison

    Collections Manager



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    Allison Valdivia
    Collections Manager
    UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures
    San Antonio TX
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  • 2.  RE: Storage solutions/ concerns about offgassing.

    Posted 10-25-2024 08:56

    What about using sheets of Coroplast attached with zip ties?  We've made Bakers rack type shelving into sturdier storage shelves using Coroplast, as well as used it as a shelf liner and for vertical dividers in paintings bins.  It comes in several thicknesses; one can select something like 1/2" of you want the rigidity or something thinner to keep the price down.  It is easily available and considered an archival material.  Would be happy to talk to you more about this and show you some of our shelving modifications using it. Jeannebrako@gmail.com



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    Jeanne Brako
    Conservator
    Sante Fe NM
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  • 3.  RE: Storage solutions/ concerns about offgassing.

    Posted 10-25-2024 08:56

    Hi Allison,

    My museum is in a similar situation. You might consider a solution that we've used: place Coroplast (rigid corrugated polyethylene) sheets over the metal mesh. Coroplast is relatively cheap, lightweight, artifact safe (no offgassing or acidic materials transfer issues), and easily cut to size with a box cutter if necessary. White Coroplast has the advantage of reflecting light and making it easier to spot issues (eg- insect activity). Yes, it's plastic, but from a sustainability perspective, you can reuse it for other collections storage purposes after you upgrade your shelving. The Coroplast may deform slightly between heavier objects and the metal mesh, but it will still address your concerns about keeping smaller items falling through, and the smooth surface should make it easier to move objects or containers on and off the shelving.

    Dee



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    Dee Stubbs-Lee
    Conservator
    New Brunswick Museum
    Saint John NB
    Canada
    +1 506-608-0380
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  • 4.  RE: Storage solutions/ concerns about offgassing.

    Posted 10-25-2024 11:34

    Hi Allison,

     

    We needed to add shelf liners to our wire shelving as well. Some of our shelves from U-Line came with acrylic or polypropylene liners, but they also sell these separately here: https://www.uline.com/BL_4214/Wire-Shelving-Shelf-Liners?keywords=Metal+Rack+Shelves

     

    For other shelves missing liners, we used materials we had in the lab, such as archival corrugated cardboard or Vivak. If the objects are particularly heavy, you may consider layering or using thicker versions of these materials. I hope this helps!

     

    Clara

     

     

     

    Clara Huisman

    Book & Paper Conservator

    University of Miami Libraries

    (305) 284-2661 | chuisman@miami.edu

     

     






  • 5.  RE: Storage solutions/ concerns about offgassing.

    Posted 10-25-2024 17:22

    Hello Allison,

    As the acting C2C Care community monitor, I'd like to thank you for posting this question to the community. I'd also like to thank the community for their prompt responses with great suggestions! CCI's Products Used in Preventive Conservation is an excellent resource that reviews products used in display, storage, and transport of objects, including those already recommended by community members and some you may already have at your institution, e.g., scrap/leftover matboard, corrugated board or exhibit materials. Another resource for determining the suitability of storage materials is the Materials Testing Results database. 



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    Sharon Fickeissen
    Connecting to Collections Care Monitor
    Senior Library Conservation Technician
    Hagley Museum & Library
    Wilmington DE
    sfickeissen@hagley.org
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