Preventive Conservation

This course will equip participants with an understanding of the ‘agents of deterioration’ which affect the integrity of materials in collections. The teaching will enable participants to assess and prioritise those risks and develop methods of mitigation which are appropriate to the context of each collection and its resources, including museums and historic properties in public and not-for-profit ownership. The course is designed for practising conservators and experienced collections managers who wish to develop the range of their preventive conservation skills – familiarity with the cultural heritage sector and associated professions will be assumed.

Topics will include monitoring and control of the environment (relative humidity and temperature), light and lighting, gaseous and particulate pollutants (including dust and dirt), biological agents (mould and pests) and mechanical damage resulting from handling, abrasion, routine cleaning and visitor access.

As well as providing hands-on practical sessions using current technology, the course will also stimulate advocacy for organisation-wide preventive conservation strategies and management practice. The course will encourage active participation in order to foster a spirit of collaboration and mutual exchange of ideas and experiences. Participants are expected to prepare a specific conservation issue or management challenge for discussion during the course, with the aim of the tutors and group working on solutions.

The primary reference book for the course will be the National Trust Manual of Housekeeping, 2011 edition:

http://shop.nationaltrust.org.uk/products/manual-of-housekeeping/236/

Supplementary handouts will include lists of useful materials and suppliers, samples, template forms, reusable psychometric charts, and bibliography.

Participants in this course may be practising conservators and collections managers who wish to develop the range of their skills.