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Collections
These advice guides describe how to acquire, store, care for, display, and dispose of collections.
Introduction to collections care
Learn the fundamentals of museum collections care, including core principles, shared responsibilities, and practical approaches to managing, preserving, and protecting collections for future generations.
Introduction to storage and display materials
Learn how to choose and use safe, inert materials for museum storage and display, explaining how materials interact with objects and outlining best practice to prevent chemical, physical, and environmental damage.
Choosing new display cases
Learn how to choose and manage museum display cases by understanding different case types, materials, and environmental controls, and how to minimise risks from pollutants, light, heat, and handling to protect collections effectively.
Creating and improving collection stores
Learn how to design and manage museum collection stores by understanding space planning, environmental control, access, and security to ensure collections are preserved safely and remain accessible.
Hazards in collections
Learn how to identify, assess, and safely manage hazardous materials found in museum collections and buildings.
Condition checking collections
Learn how to plan and carry out condition checks on museum collections, including who should be involved and how to record and use the results.
Introduction to environmental monitoring
Learn how to monitor museum environments by tracking key factors such as temperature, humidity, light, pests, and pollution, helping you protect collections, manage risks, and make more sustainable decisions about building performance and energy use.
Temperature and humidity in museums
Learn how temperature and relative humidity affect museum collections and how to protect them, including what levels to aim for, how to monitor your environment, and how to reduce the energy costs of environmental control.
Conservation and lighting
Learn how light damages museum collections and what you can do to protect them, including how to set appropriate lux levels, control daylight and artificial light, reduce UV and infrared radiation, and make your lighting more energy efficient and sustainable.