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This is an email sent via the SHCG List. If you reply to this message, your message will be sent to all the people on the list, not just the author of this message. --------------- Hi Helen, That sounds like an exciting project! I've been thinking about similar things recently as I've been working on unboxing things in our stores in order to save space, as a lot of the boxes only had one or two items in. Personally my preference is for open storage if possible. Boxes tend to get packed nicely once, but from experience end up just a mess of tissue and objects after a while, making it much more likely items will get damaged or lost plus the visibility and handling points you already mentioned. Also for long-term packing, the tissues needs changing after a few years, so it might depend on how frequently the objects are looked at and if you'll be able to revisit the packing in future. It's probably the sort of thing that there's no right answer for; it depends on your objects, resources and the space you have. Do you have to decide between boxes and open or can you do a combination? My approach at the moment is to keep fragile or small items or those made of certain materials (eg ivory that needs a more stable RH; anything light sensitive) in boxes, but to put everything else on open shelving. The plan is to then cover the fronts of the shelves with sheets of tyvek and magnets, to make easily removed 'curtains' to keep the dust out; you could do the same with tissue and tape if necessary (it's just a bit lighter so flaps around a bit when you walk past!). I don't think dust protection is necessarily required though, it depends on how dusty the space gets and the types of objects - eg our store isn't too dusty, so I'm going to dust-cover the shelves with metal objects on to avoid tarnishing but may not do those with our medical and organic collections. It sounds like the depth of your shelves might be the tricky bit - if they're really deep, open storage can be tricky, as you end up having to move everything to get to things at the back. Do you have larger, quite unused items you could put at the back and smaller or more frequented items in the more accessible places? If you've not already, maybe consider the price of foam or whatever you would line the shelves with if you did open storage - plastazote can be pretty expensive so could end up not saving as much as it initially seems! Many thanks, Lowri Lowri Jones | Collections Officer Direct line +44 (0)20 3075 1788 ________________________________ From: Social History Curators Group email list <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Helen McConnell Simpson <[log in to unmask]> Sent: 04 May 2018 10:23 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: New store - open or boxed? This is an email sent via the SHCG List. If you reply to this message, your message will be sent to all the people on the list, not just the author of this message. ------------------------------- Hello all, I am in the privileged position of setting up a new museum store. The collection is mainly 20th century domestic and art items, ranging from ceramics and framed prints to furniture, rugs and carved wooden ornaments. It is not a large collection – about 400 fairly small items. I have about 6 large deep racks on which to store the items. I am trying to decide whether to box the collection, or whether to leave as many things as possible open to view, on the shelves. The considerations I have thought about so far are: · Space – boxed collections will take up much less space, so I may not be able to house everything in open storage • Ceramics – my understanding is that it is preferable for these to be unboxed, so that more care can be taken in moving them · Potential for future public tours – stores are more interesting if the objects can be seen · Familiarity with the collection – it is easier to gain familiarity with the collection if you can see it • Dust – would I need to cover openly stored items with sheets of tissue? · Cost of packing materials – open storage would require fewer boxes and less tissue · Depth of the shelves – I am concerned about whether items (or boxes) could be safely retrieved from the back of the shelves. I am leaning towards open storage but I wanted to throw it out to your collective wisdom. Am I missing any key considerations? If you were starting a store from scratch, what would you do? Thanks all, Helen Helen McConnell Simpson Curator, Scott House WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre Slimbridge, Glos GL2 7BT T 01453 891268 E [log in to unmask] W wwt.org.uk<http://www.wwt.org.uk/> This message is confidential and for the sole use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed. It may not be disclosed, copied or distributed in any form unless it contains an express statement to the contrary.? WWT does not accept responsibility for changes made to this message after it was sent. Any personal opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the policy of the organisation. Company Registered Address: Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is a charity registered in England & Wales (No. 1030884) and in Scotland (No. SC039410) and a company limited by guarantee (No. 2882729). Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (Trading) Ltd. (Company No. 2541350) is a wholly owned subsidiary of WWT. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (Consulting) Ltd. (Company No. 2277255) is a wholly owned subsidiary of WWT. ?SAVE PAPER – THINK BEFORE YOU PRINT The SHCG list is provided for members of Social History Curators Group to discuss subjects relevant to social history in museums. To join SHCG visit www.shcg.org.uk<http://www.shcg.org.uk> . Opinions expressed in this email are the responsibility of the author and are not necessarily shared by SHCG. To leave the list do not reply to this message but send an email to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> with a blank subject line and these words as the body of the email: SIGNOFF SHCG-LIST This message may contain confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient please inform the sender that you have received the message in error before deleting it. Please do not disclose, copy or distribute information in this e-mail or take any action in reliance on its contents: to do so is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Thank you for your co-operation. The SHCG list is provided for members of Social History Curators Group to discuss subjects relevant to social history in museums. To join SHCG visit www.shcg.org.uk . Opinions expressed in this email are the responsibility of the author and are not necessarily shared by SHCG. To leave the list do not reply to this message but send an email to [log in to unmask] with a blank subject line and these words as the body of the email: SIGNOFF SHCG-LIST