On November 2, six online classes will start covering
topics from care of textiles and baskets, collection
inventories, storage and display materials, museum
environmental controls, and introduction to museums.  All
courses are $475 for the four week courses.  For more
information, go to www.museumclasses.org .  Descriptions
follow:

MS101: Introduction to Museums 
Nov 2 - Nov 27, 2009
Instructor: Kiersten Latham 

By some estimates there are more than 10,000 museums in the
United States alone. While most people think of a
well-staffed, professionally run institution, the vast
majority of museums are started and run by people with
little or no basic training in museum studies or
preservation. Introduction to Museums is crafted to change
that. The course introduces basic concepts, terminology and
the role of various staff members, including curators,
registrars and directors. Introduction to Museums is aimed
at board members, interns and volunteers, as well as anyone
interested in becoming a museum professional or learning
more about the profession.

MS212: Care of Textiles
Nov 2 - Nov 27, 2009
Instructor: Ann Coppinger 

Caring for textiles demands an understanding of how and why
they deteriorate. This course offers a simplified
explanation of the origin and structure of textile fibers
as well as the finished textile object; be it either a
piece of whole cloth or a finished garment. Care of
Textiles teaches students to identify fibers, fabric
structures and finishes, write condition reports, and
understand the agents of deterioration that are harmful to
various fabrics both in storage on exhibit. Topics include
preparing textiles for storage and exhibit, the use of
archival materials with textiles, and three dimensional
supports. 

MS204: Materials for Storage and Display
Nov 2 - Nov 27, 2009
Instructor: Helen Alten 

One of the great benefits of the 21st century is the
abundance of materials for storing and displaying
collections. Materials for Storage and Display covers this
vast array in detail. Lectures and handouts separate
materials by properties: rigid, padding, barrier and
attachments. Slide shows illustrate the use of each. The
course emphasizes acid-free materials and how to retrofit
less appropriate materials. Materials for Storage and
Display keeps current with the latest materials available
for preservation. Using material testing as a decision
making tool is covered. Participants receive notebooks with
samples of all of the materials discussed. 

MS 225: Care of Baskets **NEW** 
Nov 2 - Nov 27, 2009
Instructor: Helen Alten 

Baskets are an important part of nearly every world
culture. Caring for baskets requires an understanding of
why and how they deteriorate. Care of Baskets provides a
simplified explanation of the chemistry and structure of
basketry materials. Starting with an overview of the
history and function of baskets and how they are made, Care
of Baskets will cover guidelines for handling, labeling,
exhibiting and storing baskets, including condition
assessments and an introduction to integrated pest
management. An overview of treatments used on baskets and
how appropriate they are for the long-term preservation of
the basket will help students make care decisions when
consulting with conservators. 

MS211: Preservation Environments
Nov 2 - Nov 27, 2009
Instructor: Ernest A. Conrad 

The museum's brick exterior wall is crumbling. The powder
coated metal storage shelves have active rust under the
foam padding. Objects in fur storage are covered in mold.
It is raining in the exhibit hall. This is the damage that
occurs to museum buildings or collection when staff do not
understand preservation environments. Preservation
Environments is essential knowledge for any collecting
institution. Everyone should understand how humidity and
temperature are controlled by a building and its mechanical
system. For museum staff considering a new building - and
any institution planning to expand or rebuild an existing
one - Preservation Environments provide important
information for calculating whether the proposed
improvements will actually improve the environmental
control of your protective enclosure. Participants learn
the advantages and disadvantages of numerous methods of
temperature and humidity control. Preservation Environments
does not try to turn museum professionals into engineers.
Rather, it arms them with the knowledge they need to work
with engineers and maintenance professionals. And helps
explain why damaged occurred and how to keep it from
happening again. 

MS218: Collection Inventories
Nov 2 - Nov 27, 2009
Instructor: Peggy Schaller 

Collection inventories are vital to collection management
and security. You need to know what is in your collection
to be able to manage it well. This means regular
inventories must occur. But knowing you must do them and
actually having the time and manpower to complete an
inventory are two different things. Collection Inventories
discusses everything you ever wanted to know about
collection inventories. From how to set one up to how to
conduct an inventory. Other topics include what to look for
during an inventory and how to reconcile the information.
 

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