Please forgive cross postings

Northern States Conservation Center's Online Museum classes program has several courses starting July 1, 2016 which still have room for students. 

Come join our excellent instructors for one of our interesting and informative courses!

MS 205/206 Disaster Plan Research and Writing

July 1 to August 26, 2016 

Instructor: Terri Schindel

Location: http://museumclasses.org

Description:

Every museum needs to be prepared for fires, floods, chemical spills, tornadoes, hurricanes and other disasters. But surveys show 80 percent lack trained staff, emergency-preparedness plans for their collections, or both. Disaster Plan Research and Writing begins with the creation of disaster-preparedness teams, the importance of ongoing planning, employee safety, board participation and insurance. Participants will learn everything they need to draft their own disaster-preparedness plans. They also will be required to incorporate colleagues in team-building exercises. A written disaster-preparedness plan is not only a good idea, it's also a requirement for accreditation. In the second half of the course, instructor Terri Schindel reviews and provides input as participants write plans that outline the procedures to follow in various emergencies. The completed plan prepares museums physically and mentally to handle emergencies that can harm vulnerable and irreplaceable collections. You will have a completed institutional disaster-preparedness and response plan at the end of the course. Once completed with this course, we recommend the Disaster Preparation and Recovery course taught by Helen Alten to provide more information about staff organization and management during and after a disaster.

For more information or to sign up:  http://www.collectioncare.org/disaster-plan-research-and-writing-line-course

MS 207: Collections Management: Cataloging Your Collection

July 1 to 29, 2016

Instructor: Peggy Schaller

Location: http://museumclasses.org

Description:

Cataloging may not be the most exciting museum task, but it is among the most important. Without a clear knowledge of your holdings, you can't protect, care for, research or exhibit them. Without knowledge of an item's history, you can't properly appreciate its value to your museum. Cataloging Your Collection covers all details needed to catalog a collection. Procedures for handling, measuring and describing all types of objects and materials are discussed in detail. Participants receive sample forms and learn the best practices for numbering artifacts, performing inventory and assessing the condition of objects. Participants practice describing everyday objects and cataloging items from their own collections or households.

For more information or to sign up:  http://www.collectioncare.org/collections-management-cataloging-your-collection-line-course

MS210: Integrated Pest Management For Museums Libraries and Archives

July 1 to August 12, 2016

Instructor: Christina Cain

Location: http://museumclasses.org

Description:

The only thing worse than mice or cockroaches in your kitchen, is finding them in your museum collection. Participants in Integrated Pest Management for Museums, Libraries and Archives learn low-toxicity methods of controlling infestations. IPM is the standard method for treating incoming items and monitoring holdings. Integrated Pest Management for Museums, Libraries and Archives discusses how infestations occur, helps identify risks, provides feasible mitigation strategies, discusses the different techniques of treating infested materials, and helps you complete an IPM plan and monitoring schedule for your institution. The course covers pest identification, insects, rodent, birds, bats, other mammals and mold infestations, as well as other problems raised by participants.

For more information or to sign up:  http://www.collectioncare.org/integrated-pest-management-museums-libraries-and-archives-line-course

NEW ADDITION:  MS225: Care of Baskets

July 1 to 29, 2016

Instructor: Helen Alten

Location: http://museumclasses.org

Description:

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.

For more information or to sign up:  http://www.collectioncare.org/care-baskets-line-course

MS 235: Scripting the Exhibition: Labels and Interpretive Panels

July 1 to 29, 2016

Instructor: Karin Hostetter

Location: http://museumclasses.org

Description:

So much to say and so little space in which to say it. That is the dilemma when scripting an exhibition. How do you say what needs to be said in the space available? How do you even figure out how to limit the information in the first place? Discover the value of themes, tangibles, intangibles, and universals in writing exhibit text that visitors really want to read -- and remember. Additional resources provided on font size and colors as well as label layout.

For more information or to sign up:  http://www.collectioncare.org/scripting-exhibition-line-course

MS262: Moving Collections

July 1 to 29, 2016

Instructor: Helen Alten

Location: http://museumclasses.org

Description:

Moving collections is a daunting task. Fragile items need special packing and care to be safely transported. Large, heavy or awkward items like dinosaurs and oversized sculptures require special equipment and support from local authorities. How do you design your project to meet the budget and timing demands of your administration? Are your collections over-packed in acidic boxes and does your move includes improving their storage and care? Collections often take up more room when they are stored properly. How do you determine your needed storage space when the collection is decompressed? Moving Collections provides an overview of how to plan and manage a move to avoid the many pitfalls. The course includes: defining your project, developing a Request for Proposal (RFP), developing a work plan, staffing, and packing protocols. Whether you are moving part of the collection within your building or moving the entire collection to another facility, Moving Collections provides a blueprint for you to follow.

For more information or to sign up:  http://www.collectioncare.org/moving-collections-line-course

MS 267: Museum Ethics

July 1 to 29, 2016

Instructor:  Peggy Schaller

Location: http://museumclasses.org

Description:

This course will examine the role of ethics in museums and related institutions. Topics addressed will include the differences in ethics, laws, and morals; what ethics are and where they come from; the ethical codes that museum professionals follow; how ethics affect professional practices; why ethics are important; and how ethical standards can help museums and related institutions better serve society. Participants in the course will gain an understanding of the importance of ethics in professional museum practice, how codes of ethics are written and why they are important, and will develop an understanding of the most significant codes of ethics subscribed to by museum professionals.

For more information or to sign up:  http://www.collectioncare.org/museum-ethics-line-course

Feel free to contact me with questions

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