Preserving the Collection: Disaster Planning, Response & Recovery

  These videos by the Florida Association of Museums discuss some of the first steps of a salvage situation - how to establish priorities, and what steps to take to salvage items in a flooding situation. Salvage Priorities & Techniques: https://youtu.be/NM1EfhgpUoI?si=uBfqzNq32Xei-tzR&t=1 Salvage Recovery Objects/Sculpture: https://youtu.be/0_2ciwAcp4o?si=H4ttWerBqLcf0U8B&t=1

Curious about caring for natural history collections? Conserv Community has scheduled an AMA (Ask Me Anything) with NPS conservator Fran Rtichie on that very topic for February 28. She will answer questions posted as comments at this link: https://community.conserv.io/c/ama-s/ama-on-preservation-of-natural-history-collections , and questions can be asked at any time before February 28. After that, this AMA will join Conserv Community's growing archive of AMA's, on topics including IPM, health and safety, and emergency preparedness: https://community.conserv.io/c/ama-s/

Having a plan for dealing with disasters is a must for any organization, but even with a plan, there can be confusion in the moment. Running tabletop exercises - getting the people in your organization together to talk through a realistic scenario - can help mitigate confusion and miscommunication when it's time to act on your plan. The Florida Association of Museums put together two webinars on tabletop exercises: one for small organizations , and one for medium to large organizations .

The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) has compiled an excellent list of resources for artists - including disaster resources - many of which apply to individuals and organizations working through an emergency. Check out the Artist's Guide to Emergencies for more information

Sometimes collection items can be hazardous - both to your health and the long-term preservation of other objects. Felted or green-dyed items may contain mercury or arsenic; taxidermy and other organics may absorb pesticides; and old treatments from the early days of conservation often don't stand the test of time. This document from the US Department of the Interior discusses common contaminants, how to detect them, and what to do with the objects: https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/migrated/museum/upload/Contaminated_Collections_FAQs.pdf

  The Registrars Committee Western Region has an excellent series called "Hands On!" on their YouTube page, where each presenter goes through practical steps of dealing with certain artifacts and situations. Check out this video on the Detection and Cleaning of Soot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr-h8uUhmkg

Glass and ceramics tend to be among the more robust materials in a collection, but some care needs to be taken for normal housekeeping and disaster situations. This video by Gwen Thomas of Museums & Galleries Edinburgh ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBW_PDJEVR4 ) and document by The Henry Ford ( https://www.thehenryford.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/the-henry-ford-glass-amp-ceramics-conservation.pdf?sfvrsn=2 ) have some great tips to care for your glass and ceramics.