Northern States Conservation Center announces a repeat in June of its 
popular basic preservation course: An Introduction to Collections Preservation.

MS 104 An Introduction to Collections Preservation
Instructor: Helen Alten
Dates: June 19 - July14, 2006
Cost: $395

The tools of a museum professional include a basic understanding of 
preservation principles and techniques. This course provides an overview of 
current preservation issues, from environmental monitoring to collection 
cleaning, exhibit mounts and storage furniture. Covering every aspect of 
the modern museum, and how the building, staff and fixtures affect 
preservation of the collection, this workshop provides an overview that 
participants can use in future decision-making about their collection. 
Agents of deterioration, risk management, object handling and transport, 
object labeling, exhibit lighting, security, emergency preparedness, 
materials for storage and display, storage and exhibit philosophies, and 
condition assessments will be discussed. This introductory course provides 
basic knowledge that is expanded in all of our other courses.

Register for the class by purchasing it at: 
http://www.collectioncare.org/tas/tas.html

The course is taken at your own pace, on-line, with a weekly on-line chat 
with the instructor.  You can take the course from any computer with 
Internet access.  There are no travel costs.  If you have any questions, 
please contact the course instructor, Helen Alten, at [log in to unmask]

(A list of our 2006 courses is available at: 
http://www.collectioncare.org/index.html)

Course Outline:
1.      Preservation Principles
2.      Agents of Deterioration
3.      Monitoring
4.      Collection Handling
5.      Collection Labeling
6.      Collection Cleaning
7.      Storage Principles
8.      Exhibit Principles
9.      Emergency Preparation
10.     Conclusion

Comments by former students:

"I liked the informality, the knowledge of the instructor, the complete 
information of the course.  An online course like this is very convenient 
for people who cannot attend classes in another city because of their work 
commitments.  Getting museum-related studies is very difficult for someone 
who does not live near one of the few Universities that offer it.  I liked 
this introductory class, because it gives an overview of many topics, and 
provides very useful information."  - August 2005 student in MS 104

"I didn't really know what to expect because I had never taken an online 
class before, nor had a taken any sort of collections/preservation class. I 
definitely learned a lot; I now understand the overall goals and practices 
of collections preservation, and feel comfortable with some of the language 
used in the field." - August 2005 student in MS 104

"Everything was very good, but I particularly liked seeing images in the 
PowerPoint slides. They really can add to the understanding of a topic. 
Although I was familiar with most of the additional readings it was good to 
have all the information grouped together in one location according to 
various topics." February 2005 student in MS 104

"I really enjoyed the excellent course reading material.  It has really 
helped me understand so much more about the work I do.  After the course, I 
will continue to read the material that I didn't get to.  It has made me 
feel much more purposeful in my job. The powerpoint presentations were 
excellent and I found that they highlighted points that I missed from the 
reading material.  They really helped to cement the information!  I like 
these presentations a lot and looked forward to them after the reading had 
been done. I wasn't sure what to expect from the online chats, but they 
were so much fun and really did create a sense of being in a class.  It was 
very good to have this place in the course where questions could be 
answered.  I thought it was actually easier to ask questions during the 
online chats than it is sometimes in the conventional classroom situation." 
- February 2005 student in MS 104

"The lectures were succinct, with links allowing greater inquiry, depending 
on one's need / interest.  The PowerPoint slideshows are nice as they 
provide visual cues to much of the lecture content.  The extra readings are 
good for reference purposes." - February 2005 student in MS 104

"I've been working as a collection manager for 10 years.   I have no formal 
training in museum techniques.   I picked up things here and there 
throughout the years.   I thought this class would solidify everything I've 
learned.   I didn't think I would learn anything new, but I did. Great 
course.   I would recommend it to anyone starting out in the museum 
field.   I was surprised how knowledgeable Helen was.   Most people don't 
know much about natural history collections, but Helen did and answered all 
my questions." - February 2005 student in MS 104

"My experience with the MS104 online course has been exceptional, a 10! The 
amount of information was almost too much to digest and far exceeded the 
amount of information I've received in any other workshop. Thank you! Thank 
you for such a high quality and demanding workshop! Although I feel as 
though I wasn't able to put in 100% at all times because of my work 
schedule, the information offered exceeded my expectations and required me 
to really focus on learning the material in a way that other 
workshops/courses have/do not. Thank you." - February 2005 student in MS 104

"I AM THE ONE WHO SHOULD THANK YOU! EUREKA! I REALLY GAINED ALOT AND REALLY 
ENJOYED STUDYING WITH YOU AND HOPE TO MEET YOU AGAIN IN A FUTURE 
CHANCE."  July 2004 student in MS 104

"For one, I really appreciate all the reading material, both the lectures 
and the additional readings.  It may have been an on-line course, but I 
feel like I've got a textbook.  And one written by many different sources, 
two heads being better than one.   Secondly, the overview.  I mean, I 
realize that the class is an overview.  But I really like the fact that my 
"textbook" covers so many different subjects and gives a beginner like 
myself a good foundation to build upon and also, more confidence.  Third, I 
like the on-line chats which afforded us students time to talk to the 
instructor just like we were in the same room.  Even though it is a little 
daunting to try and read everything and type at the same time.  But that's 
just the nature of the beast.  I also liked the laid-back feeling of the 
course, the self-pacing, and the informality."  July 2004 student in MS 104

About the Instructor
Helen Alten, Conservator and owner of Northern States Conservation Center, 
St. Paul, MN has been a Field Education Director, Conservator, and trainer 
since 1986. Ms. Alten received her conservation degree in Archaeological 
Conservation and Materials Science, Institute of Archaeology, University of 
London in 1986. She began working with people from small, rural, and tribal 
museums while the state conservator for Montana and Alaska. Helen currently 
conducts conservation treatments and operates a conservation center in St. 
Paul, MN.


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