Connecting to Collections Care

Hello from San Antonio, Texas.

I am reaching out from the Institute of Texan Cultures. We have just completed a massive move and are in the middle of a transition while a new museum is being built. 

Currently, we have moved all of our objects to a new warehouse. We have two different types of shelving, open wire shelving, (with the openings being roughly 4 inches by 4 inches wide), and solid metal shelving. 

I am on the search for what I can use to line both types of shelves. The option for plywood was shut down, as it was a fire hazard, as it is non perforated and a solid piece. It appears that laying anything on the large shelving that is solid and nonporous is not an option. 

As for the solid metal shelving, they are 24 by 36, and I am trying to think of a solution of what to line it with to place smaller objects not in a box. I am worried about off-gassing and using nonarchival materials.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions. It would be most appreciated.

Sincerely,

Allison

Museum Collections Manager

Hi Allison, 

My favorite material to recommend folks for shelf lining is coroplast. It's relatively easy to work with and safe to use with collections. It's also more durable than lining shelves with archival board, for example. I am not sure how your engineers would feel about it from a fire perspective. The material, itself, isn't porous, but it is fluted, which may be good enough. 

Best, 

Maddie 

Hello from San Antonio, Texas.

I am reaching out from the Institute of Texan Cultures. We have just completed a massive move and are in the middle of a transition while a new museum is being built. 

Currently, we have moved all of our objects to a new warehouse. We have two different types of shelving, open wire shelving, (with the openings being roughly 4 inches by 4 inches wide), and solid metal shelving. 

I am on the search for what I can use to line both types of shelves. The option for plywood was shut down, as it was a fire hazard, as it is non perforated and a solid piece. It appears that laying anything on the large shelving that is solid and nonporous is not an option. 

As for the solid metal shelving, they are 24 by 36, and I am trying to think of a solution of what to line it with to place smaller objects not in a box. I am worried about off-gassing and using nonarchival materials.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions. It would be most appreciated.

Sincerely,

Allison

Museum Collections Manager

Hi Allison, 

My favorite material to recommend folks for shelf lining is coroplast. It's relatively easy to work with and safe to use with collections. It's also more durable than lining shelves with archival board, for example. I am not sure how your engineers would feel about it from a fire perspective. The material, itself, isn't porous, but it is fluted, which may be good enough. 

Best, 

Maddie 

Hello from San Antonio, Texas.

I am reaching out from the Institute of Texan Cultures. We have just completed a massive move and are in the middle of a transition while a new museum is being built. 

Currently, we have moved all of our objects to a new warehouse. We have two different types of shelving, open wire shelving, (with the openings being roughly 4 inches by 4 inches wide), and solid metal shelving. 

I am on the search for what I can use to line both types of shelves. The option for plywood was shut down, as it was a fire hazard, as it is non perforated and a solid piece. It appears that laying anything on the large shelving that is solid and nonporous is not an option. 

As for the solid metal shelving, they are 24 by 36, and I am trying to think of a solution of what to line it with to place smaller objects not in a box. I am worried about off-gassing and using nonarchival materials.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions. It would be most appreciated.

Sincerely,

Allison

Museum Collections Manager