MS208: Applying Numbers to Collection Objects: 
Materials and Methods of Object Numbering
Instructor: Helen Alten
Dates:  February 4 through 28, 2008
Price: $425
Location: www.museumclasses.org

Description:
Applying Numbers to Collection Objects covers the 
materials and methods of object numbering: 
registration, handling, labeling and marking, 
number placement, documentation, health and 
safety, transponders and barcodes, surface marks, 
inks, paints and barrier coats. Each participant 
receives a Northern States Conservation Center 
collections labeling kit and performs experiments 
using its contents. Participants learn to 
determine what pen, ink, barrier coat or tag is 
appropriate for each object and storage or display situation.

Course Outline
1.      Introduction
2.      Basic Concepts
3.      Associating Numbers and Objects
4.      Applying Numbers to Objects: Barrier Coats and Direct Surface Marking
5.      Tools of Numbering
6.      Recommended Numbering Procedures for Specific Objects
7.      Conclusion

Logistics
Participants in Applying Numbers to Collection 
Objects work through seven sections at their own 
pace. Instructor Helen Alten will be available at 
scheduled times for email support. Participants 
work individually and interact through forums and 
online chats. Materials include PowerPoint 
lectures, readings, lecture notes  and a 
collections labeling kit with sample materials. 
Additional resources include projects, quizzes and links to relevant web sites.

Applying Numbers to Collection Objects runs four 
weeks. Enroll at www.museumclasses.org and pay 
for the course at 
http://www.collectioncare.org/tas/tas.html.  If 
you have trouble with either, please contact 
Helen Alten at [log in to unmask]

Student Comments:
“All in all, I learned more than I thought I 
would.  I and my colleagues are eager to have the 
handouts in a binder for immediate and future reference.”  MS208 participant

“I loved the practical assignments. I loved the 
feedback from Helen. And I loved the live chat sessions.”  MS208 participant

“The organization of the course was 
excellent  readings were well-constructed and 
well-placed within the greater course context … I 
was pleased that we had homework where we were 
expected to apply some of the concepts we’d read about.”  MS208 participant

“I liked the ability to receive instruction 
without having to leave my office or go out of town.”  MS208 participant

“I was able to learn so much about numbering 
museum items that I did not know.  I had tried to 
do research on the Internet and had found some 
things, but nothing like what we covered through 
the course.”  MS208 participant

The Instructor:
Helen Alten is an objects conservator and owner 
of Northern States Conservation Center, St. Paul, 
Minnesota. She has been an educator, conservator 
and trainer since 1986. Ms. Alten received her 
master’s degree in archaeological conservation 
and materials science at the Institute of 
Archaeology, University of London in 1986. She 
began working with small, rural, and tribal 
museums as conservator for Montana and Alaska.

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