Collection Care
An Illustrated Handbook for the Care and Handling of Cultural Objects
By (author) Brent Powell Foreword by Mervin Richard
Publication date:
30 October 2015Length of book:
446 pagesPublisher
Rowman & Littlefield PublishersISBN-13: 9781442238817
Collection Care: An Illustrated Handbook for the Care and Handling of Cultural Objects provides a solid overview of basic collection care procedures and policies.
The topics covered address the decision making criteria and risk assessment solutions involved in the best practices for handling art and artifacts. Technical subjects will cover proven techniques, materials, equipment and address problem solving assessment and current solutions. The comprehensive overview of staff responsibilities, relationships, and training will bring the book to a conclusion of addressing the unison of all professionals responsible for proper handling and caring for collections.
Highlights include:
The topics covered address the decision making criteria and risk assessment solutions involved in the best practices for handling art and artifacts. Technical subjects will cover proven techniques, materials, equipment and address problem solving assessment and current solutions. The comprehensive overview of staff responsibilities, relationships, and training will bring the book to a conclusion of addressing the unison of all professionals responsible for proper handling and caring for collections.
Highlights include:
- This book provides both visual and narrative descriptions of current best practices for caring for collection objects.
- Emphasis is placed on risk assessment in the decision-making process with proven, accepted technical methods and materials.
- Detailed coverage of technical methods and methodologies for principles of proper handling, transport, and storage or two and three dimensional objects.
- Chapters will cover the institutional structure for managing, hiring, training both full and part time staff responsible for safely handling and caring of collection objects.
- 100 photographs, figures, and charts provide overall directions for collection care, preventive maintenance, and proper handling of objects.
Aimed at individuals of all levels of experience, this work dealing with the care of museum collections offers readers an impressive overview of basic tenets and practices. Powell has one-of-a-kind expertise in the field and provides unique insights based on his experiences in both museum and commercial settings. The book begins with an introduction to collection care, including an important chapter on training and personal safety. Subsequent sections cover the principles of handling and caring for two- and three-dimensional artifacts, emphasizing the importance of proper risk assessment and informed decision-making. The final two chapters discuss internal and external environmental factors relevant to collection care, including storage, condition reporting, crating, and transport. One key contribution of this book is its many photos, which provide a visual reference for handling techniques and apparatuses. Such a generously illustrated reference work is rare and extremely useful. The volume concludes with an extensive 'References and Resources' section, which guides readers to more detailed information on all the topics covered in the book. Overall, Collection Care is a unique and important addition to the literature, and suitable for all collections supporting museum studies and operations. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty; professionals/practitioners.