Dear Jenny,
Collection care costs will vary greatly. Depending on the size of the
collection, the nature of the objects within the collection, their
condition, their handling or conservation needs, and the environment
they are stored within. If objects are simply placed in the space
designated as storage and you never do another thing with them, then
certainly, the cost for collection care may seem at the onset to be very
small.
It may be reasonable to arrange for a collection assessment. Take a look
your objects within the collection. Do they need to be organized,
stabilized to keep from bumping into each other. Do they need to be
supported or padded to keep from folding, compressing, buckleing or
denting. Take a look at the surfaces they rest on. Get rid of wood
shelving, wood is acidic, some worse than other's. Are objects stored in
cardboard boxes for convienience or stackability......get rid of 'em,
they are acidic. You can replace them with standard archival coregate
boxes. Cover your shelves with 1/8 - 1/4 inch ethafoam or volara, both
are archival and it provides a barrier along with a nice gentle surface.
Textiles seldom have the luxery to be stored completely flat. Pad the
folds with unbuffered acid free tissue to prevent permanent creases and
the breakage of fibers. Some may be more safely housed rolled on
archival corregate tubes and ideally, suspend horizontally on a rack.
Textiles should not be stored on hangers.
Limit light exposure. Light damage accumulates. Keep works on paper in
archival boxes, or in drawers. Light only the area your working in
storage. If no ones in there, turn off the lights. Those objects that
are susceptable to light damage, drape with a muslin or broadcloth. Any
windows in your storage should be covered to bock out the light. UV
light is very damaging. Florescent tubes should have the plastic UV
filters over them. They not only block the UV but help contain the glass
if the bulb breaks.
Monitor for insects, and ones not in place, set up a pest management
system, especially if your collection involves natural, organic, hair,
feather, bone, textiles...
And,...These objects must live in a stable environment, with a fairly
level, constant temperature and humidity, year round.

I don't know if that helps at all.

Sincerely, Jack Vanderwerf

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