Civilization's great achievements are immortalized in its relics. These relics are more than simply showpieces. They are physical proof of the types of lives that were led by those who have lived before. Museums are created as spaces for the preservation and display of these valuable items. The need for space to keep these items grows with time. Fortunately, museum storage solves the problem of archiving when already large collections keep growing even larger.
As society grows and changes, more artifacts are produced and at the same time the need to preserve the existing stock. The need for holding space therefore becomes necessary. In fact even if the catalogues do not increase, the need for storage already exists. Many people do not know that museums only store a fraction of their assets. Others are stored and in some cases brought out for display occasionally or on a rotation system. Storage facilities for museums may be on site or off site. Many museums commission or rent spaces elsewhere when their on site locations are at capacity.
Two main factors that museum managers consider when looking for appropriate storage space are security and suitability. The location selected must be impenetrable so that thieves are kept at bay. It is just as important, or even more so, that the conditions within the space be suitable for the preservation of the items to be stored.
In order to keep historical relics in the best possible conditions, certain conditions are required. These include oxygen levels in the air as well as the temperature. It is very important that these conditions suit the needs of the museum because failure to do so may result in permanent damage to the items, or worse, loss of the items. Paper, for instance, may develop spots that blot out words or phrases, making what is written on them illegible if it exposed to atmosphere with high levels of oxygen for too long. Some pollutants int he air also cause damage to some artifacts.
There are situations though, in which it is just not possible to adjust atmospheric conditions to suit each piece being stored. A great solution for this situation is to place each piece in its own containment unit. These containment units are typically made of glass and transparent. They allow for each piece to be stored in it's own ideal environment and are very handy in cases where pieces have varying needs.
Security is an important factor to consider for these units. Museum property is usually priceless and their loss is grave in many circumstances. Additionally, they are targeted by thieves who profit by reselling them. Alarm systems including motion detectors and surveillance cameras are important to ensure maximum security.
In addition to looking into security and space quality, museum curators must consider size when searching for or making plans to erect holding spaces. This is necessary because the very nature of their work means that the number of pieces being managed will grow. Plans must be put in place to accommodate the future acquisitions.
The job of a curator is indeed an important one. Not only does the job require meticulous attention to detail in displaying important items but also great care in the preservation of the catalogues that will inevitably be collected over time. Curators who implement the internationally and locally accepted best practices for the storing of museum items ensure that society's precious relics survive the ravages of time.
As society grows and changes, more artifacts are produced and at the same time the need to preserve the existing stock. The need for holding space therefore becomes necessary. In fact even if the catalogues do not increase, the need for storage already exists. Many people do not know that museums only store a fraction of their assets. Others are stored and in some cases brought out for display occasionally or on a rotation system. Storage facilities for museums may be on site or off site. Many museums commission or rent spaces elsewhere when their on site locations are at capacity.
Two main factors that museum managers consider when looking for appropriate storage space are security and suitability. The location selected must be impenetrable so that thieves are kept at bay. It is just as important, or even more so, that the conditions within the space be suitable for the preservation of the items to be stored.
In order to keep historical relics in the best possible conditions, certain conditions are required. These include oxygen levels in the air as well as the temperature. It is very important that these conditions suit the needs of the museum because failure to do so may result in permanent damage to the items, or worse, loss of the items. Paper, for instance, may develop spots that blot out words or phrases, making what is written on them illegible if it exposed to atmosphere with high levels of oxygen for too long. Some pollutants int he air also cause damage to some artifacts.
There are situations though, in which it is just not possible to adjust atmospheric conditions to suit each piece being stored. A great solution for this situation is to place each piece in its own containment unit. These containment units are typically made of glass and transparent. They allow for each piece to be stored in it's own ideal environment and are very handy in cases where pieces have varying needs.
Security is an important factor to consider for these units. Museum property is usually priceless and their loss is grave in many circumstances. Additionally, they are targeted by thieves who profit by reselling them. Alarm systems including motion detectors and surveillance cameras are important to ensure maximum security.
In addition to looking into security and space quality, museum curators must consider size when searching for or making plans to erect holding spaces. This is necessary because the very nature of their work means that the number of pieces being managed will grow. Plans must be put in place to accommodate the future acquisitions.
The job of a curator is indeed an important one. Not only does the job require meticulous attention to detail in displaying important items but also great care in the preservation of the catalogues that will inevitably be collected over time. Curators who implement the internationally and locally accepted best practices for the storing of museum items ensure that society's precious relics survive the ravages of time.
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