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Improve my Environment

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Museums, archives and special collections have traditionally looked at the environmental factors that might affect collections individually. Environmental management takes an integrated approach to tackling the problems caused by humidity, temperature, light, pollution and pests, and by assessing the risks involved provides a method of prioritising what to do and where to allocate limited budgets.

“Often, personnel are not scrutinising the conditions that bite them the hardest,' says May Cassar of the Centre for Sustainable Heritage at University College London. 'The environment inside a venue should not be treated in isolation; the effect humans have on the environment is something that should be taken into account. Too many people, and the associated effect they have on temperature and humidity, can have a serious effect on collections.' - Read the full article

Environmental monitoring

Improving the environment for collections means integrating your approach. This approach involves thinking about all of the potential environmental risks to a collection. The Scottish Museums Council (SMC) provides an excellent introduction to the requirements of good environmental management:

Monitor and control temperature and relative humidity (RH)

It is essential to understand the data that is collected when monitoring the collection environment in order to identify problem situations and plan improvements. This MGC Guidance for Good Practice, written by May Cassar and Jeremy Hutchings, contains much useful advice including many examples of charts illustrating various environmental conditions your collections may experience. It is an invaluable guide for anyone who needs to know how to interpret environmental data:

Monitor and control light

Monitor and control pollutants, dust and dirt

Monitor and control mould and other fungal outbreaks

Manage pests

Integrated pest management (IPM) describes pest control methods that do not rely on the regular and systematic use of pesticides. MLA's guide describes how the main principles of IPM - monitoring, discouraging pests, modifying the environment and targeting treatments - have been adapted for use in museums, archive and library collections.

Factsheets

These factsheets have been produced by David Pinniger, entomologist.

Housekeeping

Good housekeeping  and careful cleaning routines are vital to ensuring that items are protected from physical damage and their environment regularly monitored for potential threats.

'Dust can originate from both internal and external sources. Good housekeeping and simple preventive measures can be used to reduce dust to a minimum, e.g. windows should be close-fitting and kept shut, and concrete floors covered or sealed. A regime of regular and effective cleaning should be drawn up in consultation with a conservator, and implemented. All display and storage areas must be kept clean and tidy. Eating and drinking should not be permitted in areas where exhibits are stored or displayed.' Extract from Protection from dust, dirt and pollutants: guidelines and notes in the Touring Exhibitions Groups Standards for exchanging exhibitions.

These guidance notes from English Heritage and the Government Indemnity Scheme will help you make informed decisions when organising events for exhibition openings or fund raising.  

Buildings and the collection environment

Ensuring that the building housing the collection provides the best possible protection from the external environment is the most effective way of ensuringthe its long-term preservatioon. The information in the link below will help you make the most of your building.

Other useful resources are:

Further resources:

  • The Accreditation Resource Directory on Collections Link contains resources which are useful whether or not you are applying for accreditation. Go to section 4.5 Minimising Risk of Damage for resources relevant to this subject.