Online classes at Northern States Conservation Center

On November 2, six online classes will start covering topics from
care of textiles and baskets, collection inventories, storage and
display materials, museum environmental controls, and introduction
to museums.  All courses are $475 for the four week courses.  For
more information, go to <URL:http://www.museumclasses.org>

MS101: Introduction to Museums
Nov 2- 27, 2009
Instructor: Kiersten Latham

    By some estimates there are more than 10,000 museums in the
    United States alone. While most people think of a well-staffed,
    professionally run institution, the vast majority of museums are
    started and run by people with little or no basic training in
    museum studies or preservation. Introduction to Museums is
    crafted to change that. The course introduces basic concepts,
    terminology and the role of various staff members, including
    curators, registrars and directors. Introduction to Museums is
    aimed at board members, interns and volunteers, as well as
    anyone interested in becoming a museum professional or learning
    more about the profession.

MS212: Care of Textiles
Nov 2-27, 2009
Instructor: Ann Coppinger

    Caring for textiles demands an understanding of how and why they
    deteriorate. This course offers a simplified explanation of the
    origin and structure of textile fibers as well as the finished
    textile object; be it either a piece of whole cloth or a
    finished garment. Care of Textiles teaches students to identify
    fibers, fabric structures and finishes, write condition reports,
    and understand the agents of deterioration that are harmful to
    various fabrics both in storage on exhibit. Topics include
    preparing textiles for storage and exhibit, the use of archival
    materials with textiles, and three dimensional supports.

MS204: Materials for Storage and Display
Nov 2-27, 2009
Instructor: Helen Alten

    One of the great benefits of the 21st century is the abundance
    of materials for storing and displaying collections. Materials
    for Storage and Display covers this vast array in detail.
    Lectures and handouts separate materials by properties: rigid,
    padding, barrier and attachments. Slide shows illustrate the use
    of each. The course emphasizes acid-free materials and how to
    retrofit less appropriate materials. Materials for Storage and
    Display keeps current with the latest materials available for
    preservation. Using material testing as a decision making tool
    is covered. Participants receive notebooks with samples of all
    of the materials discussed.

MS 225: Care of Baskets (New course)
Nov 2-27, 2009
Instructor: Helen Alten

    Baskets are an important part of nearly every world culture.
    Caring for baskets requires an understanding of why and how they
    deteriorate. Care of Baskets provides a simplified explanation
    of the chemistry and structure of basketry materials. Starting
    with an overview of the history and function of baskets and how
    they are made, Care of Baskets will cover guidelines for
    handling, labeling, exhibiting and storing baskets, including
    condition assessments and an introduction to integrated pest
    management. An overview of treatments used on baskets and how
    appropriate they are for the long-term preservation of the
    basket will help students make care decisions when consulting
    with conservators.

MS211: Preservation Environments
Nov 2-27, 2009
Instructor: Ernest A. Conrad

    The museum's brick exterior wall is crumbling. The powder coated
    metal storage shelves have active rust under the foam padding.
    Objects in fur storage are covered in mold. It is raining in the
    exhibit hall. This is the damage that occurs to museum buildings
    or collection when staff do not understand preservation
    environments. Preservation Environments is essential knowledge
    for any collecting institution. Everyone should understand how
    humidity and temperature are controlled by a building and its
    mechanical system. For museum staff considering a new
    building--and any institution planning to expand or rebuild an
    existing one--Preservation Environments provide important
    information for calculating whether the proposed improvements
    will actually improve the environmental control of your
    protective enclosure. Participants learn the advantages and
    disadvantages of numerous methods of temperature and humidity
    control. Preservation Environments does not try to turn museum
    professionals into engineers. Rather, it arms them with the
    knowledge they need to work with engineers and maintenance
    professionals. And helps explain why damaged occurred and how to
    keep it from happening again.

MS218: Collection Inventories
Nov 2-27, 2009
Instructor: Peggy Schaller

    Collection inventories are vital to collection management and
    security. You need to know what is in your collection to be able
    to manage it well. This means regular inventories must occur.
    But knowing you must do them and actually having the time and
    manpower to complete an inventory are two different things.
    Collection Inventories discusses everything you ever wanted to
    know about collection inventories. From how to set one up to how
    to conduct an inventory. Other topics include what to look for
    during an inventory and how to reconcile the information.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 23:12
                 Distributed: Tuesday, October 13, 2009
                       Message Id: cdl-23-12-009
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