Preserving the Collection: Disaster Planning, Response & Recovery

In 2019, The Museum at FIT (MFIT) was awarded a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as part of their Museums for America program, to test the museum’s collection for hazardous substances. This research resulted in Material Evidence , an online symposium, and a set of handling guidelines, Handling Concerns for Fashion Collections .

From preparedness and planning to mitigation and response, TX-CERA has been working on making sure our Resources page has quality information. Are there any resources for emergencies you consider indispensible that we haven't linked? Let us know!   https://www.txcera.org/resources

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Many of us want to build toward climate change resilience, but often lack the time, staff, or funding. That is what the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC) and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) had in mind while developing their Climate Resilience Resources for Cultural Heritage. "Anyone who cares about a site, collection, building, or area (e.g., a cultural corridor) can develop a climate resilience strategy—you do not have to be formally trained in conservation to use the resources."  Overview: https://www.aam-us.org/2024/05/14/museums-with-a-future-prioritizing-climate-resilience-to-respond-to-a-changing-world/ Climate Resilience Resources for Cultural Heritage: https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-us/foundation/programs/climate-resilience-resources

  These articles discuss how archives, libraries, and museums prepare for, and deal with, storm damage.  Eye of the Storm: How Do Museums Prepare for Hurricanes during a Pandemic? https://www.aam-us.org/2020/09/23/eye-of-the-storm-how-do-museums-prepare-for-hurricanes-during-a-pandemic/   How does art survive a hurricane? Behind the measures Florida museums are taking to withstand extreme weather: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/12/07/how-does-art-survive-a-hurricane-behind-the-measures-florida-museums-are-taking-to-withstand-extreme-weather   Sustaining Places - Environmental Disasters: https://sustainingplaces.com/natural-disasters/

  Meteorologists predict that the 2024 season will be more severe than normal. Be sure to protect not only your collection, but yourself! Be sure to review these hurricane safety resources from:  The National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane   The American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane.html

The tools and materials you may have in your on-site emergency kit will vary depending on your location, the biggest risks to your collection, and the type of materials in your collection. In this video hosted by Alaska Libraries Archives Museums, Rebecca Kennedy discusses types of kits, general supplies, resources, and trainings to help you make your own emergency kit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4n1N98sqCI