Conservation Policy

A conservation policy is an essential element in ensuring the integrity and survival of collections. It documents the philosophies, principles and guidelines to be applied in the care and conservation of a collection. The conservation policy sets out in clear terms the responsibility or duty of the museum in caring for its objects.  Its aim is to prevent objects from any further deterioration.  This work involves stabilising the environment wherever objects are displayed or stored, some treatment to individual objects to stabilise them and eliminating “forces of decay” that affect object longevity. Without a conservation policy - even with access to the best expertise - there is a risk that favourite objects may receive attention, while others might be overlooked and the quality of care of the collection as a whole could suffer.   

A conservation policy is inextricably linked to a museum’s collection policy, which determines what a museum collects and therefore the priorities of the conservation policy.  Once a conservation policy is set its implementation is likely to direct that museum’s activity program for some years to come.  A conservation policy will identify priorities for allocating resources to two types of conservation strategies: interventive conservation and preventive conservation and will include guidelines for the very different requirements for display and storage of collections.  Preventive conservation strategies are aimed at reducing rates of deterioration for a whole collection and to minimise further damage.  In contrast, interventive conservation treatments are aimed at repairs to individual objects that have sustained damage and are usually undertaken by a trained conservator or under their guidance. 

The Conservation Policy is implemented via Collection Management Plan and Procedures Manual which defines process and documentation.

What should be covered by a Conservation Policy?

Statement of intent:

It is important to state what you are trying to do up-front.

For example:

This conservation policy aims to maintain objects in a stable condition and to preserve the evidence that is contained in the objects through their construction, materials, fabric and evidence of their active life for the benefit of museum users.  This policy aims to guide the care of the objects and to prevent changes that may reduce those values.  Deterioration caused by use of an object is part of the object’s story is different to deterioration caused by neglect once in the museum’s care.

A conservation policy needs to be structured so as to define:

• Standards for the environment of museum buildings - including strategies for controlling agents of decay including light, temperature, relative humidity, pests, dust and dirt
• Standards for provision of adequate uncrowded storage areas which provide appropriate environmental control, security and acceptable access for staff
• Standards for risk management to ensure safety and condition of objects while on display, in storage or in transit
• Standards for assessing and monitoring condition of objects
• Standards for conservation treatments
• Preventive conservation guidelines
• Security and counter disaster preparedness plans

Preventive Conservation:

• All objects shall be provided with a safe and benign environment that protects against the agents of decay whether in storage, on display or in transit.
• All museum workers to be provided with guidelines and procedures for the handling and moving objects.
• Cleaning of objects shall be done in accordance with specific guidelines and only with the permission of the collection manager (usually the Curator).
• Inspection of objects on display and in storage for evidence of insects, mould and other damaging agents shall be done on a routine basis (specify a realistic time frame).

Interventive Conservation:

Conservation work shall involve appropriate stabilisation of objects rather than restoration:

• In accordance with advice from a trained conservator (refer AICCM link).
• Shall include the provision of safe storage or display conditions and appropriate support.
• Documentary evidence of the process before during and after is to be recorded as part of every project.

Restoration work:

Restoration is to be considered with great care as it focuses on altering the condition of an object and may result in the loss of important information about an object’s provenance.

Restoration work will be undertaken only:

• In accordance with advice from a trained conservator
• After the consideration of what will be lost by undertaking the work such as materials, workmanship, and evidence of adaptations, etc
• After the work has been considered against the conservation needs of other objects
• When adequate housing for the restored object can be provided to ensure that the work done will not rapidly deteriorate
• If the allocation of funds for the restoration work are considered a higher priority than other conservation work that will be of greater benefit for a larger number of objects.  (That is it may be better to build a shed to better stabilise twenty objects than to fully restore one).
• If the project includes the provision of storage or display conditions and appropriate support.

References and further reading:

Museums and Galleries NSW, Online Resources

Heritage Collections Council, ReCollections at the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) website

AICCM The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material Inc, Caring for Collections

Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI Notes)

National Park Service (US Department of the Interior) Conserve-O-Grams

Museums Australia Inc (NSW). Museum Methods: a practical manual for managing small museums, Section 4.1 Developing a preventive conservation policy