User:Dmcadams jhu/sandbox

Museum Collections Storage is meant to protect and preserve collections. Disasters, environmental factors, physical damage, and problems caused by poor-quality storage materials all can be migrated or prevented with adequate planning and information. Proper housing is essential to the long-term preservation of museum collections. Collections storage is the building that houses the collection down to the container it is stored in. Each layer adds to the protection of the collection.

Storage Area
The storage area should be separate from areas of activity, ideally not at the top or below ground of a building. There should be no mechanical systems running through (electric, air, water). To protect light-sensitive materials, there should be no windows. Areas divided into separate rooms allow for easier to adjust environmental controls, as well as layers of protection for fire or security concerns. An adequate storage area provides room for storage of the collection and allows room for future growth.

Furniture
Storage furniture is often made of steel that is powder-coated with an epoxy, acrylic, or polyester finish. Anodized or powder-coated aluminum is also an acceptable material for storage equipment. Older steel equipment was finished using a baked enamel coating and because of the solvents used in the curing process, all coatings off-gas harmful substances until they are cured. Furniture built of unsealed wood poses a high risk to sensitive collections.

Types of Furniture :

Closed Cabinets

 * can minimize dust
 * certain materials stored together in a closed environment can react with each other

Open Shelving

 * can house most collections
 * dust and light covers

Sliding Racks

 * paintings

Rolled Storage

 * textiles

Drawers

 * flat textiles
 * flat paper

Hanging Storage

 * costumes

Containers
Storage containers are often made of corrugated paper-based boards or plastics. They come pre-made, ready-to-assemble, or can be custom material made. Museum quality corrugated boards are made of acid-free paper and are available in neutral pH (unbuffered) or alkaline pH (buffered) varieties. Museum quality corrugated plastic is usually made of polyethylene or polypropylene plastics, which are stable and non off-gassing.

Types of Containers and Supports :

Boxes

 * acid-free corrugated paper board
 * corrugated polypropylene
 * polyethylene

Specimen Trays

 * natural history specimens

Folders

 * file
 * herbarium
 * manuscript
 * map

Photo Enclosures

 * acid-free unbuffered paper

Bags

 * archaeological materials
 * small objects
 * provides protection from pests

Cavity Packing

 * secure compartments

Cradle Mounts

 * supports structurally weak objects in order to alleviate stress on the weakest points

Ring Support

 * provides stability for round or spherical objects

Materials
Many office supplies do not have archival qualities. Unknown materials should not be used and place the collection at risk. Use storage materials recommended by a conservator for specific collections.

Types of Materials :

Acid-free Paper

 * buffered or unbuffered
 * tissue paper
 * file folders
 * archival boxes

Cotton Fabrics

 * should be washed to remove sizing chemicals

Polyester Film

 * Mylar

Polyethylene Microfoam

 * Ethafoam
 * used to line drawers or shelves
 * padding, slip protection, or cradles

Polypropylene Bags

 * with or without zip closures