Collection Storage

  • Beyond the Box: Using Coroplast for Creative and Cost-Effective Storage Solutions and Exhibit MountsIn this video, Jeanne Brako, Curator and Conservator at the Center of Southwest Studies in Fort Lewis College and Jack Townes, Exhibit Designer and Preparator at Skycraft Designs, discuss how Coroplast, a corrugated plastic often used for commercial signage, can be used in museums. Applications include creating a storage rack for framed art using a simple shelf unit, making shipping crates without power tools, and fabricating custom book mounts, slant boards for artifact displays, and clothing mounts. This session was part of the 2016 ATALM annual conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 10-13, 2016.
  • Making Custom Boxes and Dividers for ArtifactsIn this video tutorial, conservator Rebecca Elder demonstrates how to design, cut and assemble corrugated boxes and dividers for artifact storage. She also discusses soft packing methods and provides examples of the supplies and materials you will need to build your boxes. This tutorial supplements the hands-on session, "Custom Boxes and Dividers for Artifacts" she gave at the ATALM annual conference held in Washington, DC on September 9-12, 2015.
  • Materials for Storage and Soft PackingIn this video, Nancy Odegaard and Gina Watkinson, both conservators based at the Arizona State Museum, discuss and demonstrate good and bad labeling techniques. Odegaard and Watkinson describe the contents of a well-stocked collections labeling kit, methods for applying numbers to a variety of objects, and provide an overview of unacceptable marking methods and materials. This session was part of the 2016 ATALM annual conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 10-13, 2016.
  • Rehousing Materials and Techniques for Museum CollectionsIn this video, Sophie Hunter, Samuel H. Kress Fellow at the Museum of New Mexico Conservation Unit, introduces materials and basic and intermediate techniques for rehousing 3-dimensional collections for long-term storage. The video includes an introduction of the main archival materials used in collections and why they are used, a demonstration of techniques for making basic pallets, trays, wedges and boxes, and a demonstration of specific mounting techniques for ceramics, standing figurines, arrows, hats or headdresses, shards and textiles. This session was part of the 2017 ATALM annual conference held in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, on October 10-12, 2017.
  • Soft Storage and Packing Muslin In this video, Gina Watkinson, Conservation Lab Manager at the Arizona State Museum, talks about the use of polyethylene foam for soft packing and storage ideas in museum collections. Some of the topics covered include: the materiality, variety, and uses of polyethylene foam for storing objects in museums. This tutorial supplements the session “Materials for Soft Storage and Packing” given at the 2016 ATALM annual conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 10-13, 2016.
  • Soft Storage and Packing Polyethlene Foam In this video, Nancy Odegaard, Conservator and Head of Preservation at the Arizona State Museum, discusses the use of polyethylene foam for soft packing and storage ideas in museum collections. Some of the topics covered include: the materiality, variety, and uses of polyethylene foam for storing objects in museums. This tutorial supplements the session “Materials for Soft Storage and Packing” given at the 2016 ATALM annual conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 10-13, 2016.
  • Soft Storage and Packing Polystyerene In this video, Marilen Pool, Project Conservator at the Arizona State Museum, talks about the reason why polystyerene foam and hard plastic – both commonly available products – are not the best materials to use in a museum collection. This tutorial supplements the session “Materials for Soft Storage and Packing” given at the 2016 ATALM annual conference held in Phoenix, Arizona, on September 10-13, 2016.
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