A museum’s collection requires safe and secure storage space. Museum storage units are manufactured keeping in mind all the factors. The space you select for the museum storage unit must accommodate reasonable growth of the collection in the future. Museum storage unit organize the space to allow proper use of curatorial equipments.
Museum storage system is a process or system which helps to audit museum collections and to organise the collections in the most optimized way.
This includes display cases, display shelves and visual browser, display cabinets as well as specialised storage for art and artifacts film negative storage.
Museum storage is the key to artifact protection.
Expert have come to the realisation that museum objects should never be stored directly on the floor, due to the risk of damage from flooding or water seepage, mildew, pests or other hazards she living or compact storage systems get objects up off the floor and away from potential damage.
Storage areas should be clean, well ventilated and properly illuminated. Temperature and humidity levels and air quality must be monitored regularly. Appropriate fire protection should be installed. Illumination should allow staff access to the collection without causing damage to the collection.
Types of items stored
1. Sculptures
2. Photographs, posters, engravings, prints and pictures
3. Canvas and frames
4. Boxes, files and folders
5. Garments clothing and textiles
6. Fine Arts
6. Artifacts
7. Archived
8. Collections
9. Art books and rare books
9. Wet collections etc.
Who Benefits
1. Curators and collection
2. Exhibition facilities
3. Historical societies
4. Technology & Science museums
5. Education facility
Key Benefits
1. Protect and preserve with access and maximum accessibility.
2. Diverse powder coat paints finishes for attractive storage.
3. Locking doors for the protection of priceless artifacts.
4. Convenience to store collection items with various weights and irregular heights and widths.
5. Mobile and static storage solutions as well as drawers, racks and other hardware for flexible browsing.
6. Save at least 50% of your space or double your storage capacity, thus contributing directly to the reduction of storage-related cost and creating new space availability inside existing facilities.
Storage system can be created for these Museums
a. Art Galleries storage system
b. Scientific & Technology museums
c. Hall of fame and celebrity museums
d. Museum Textile Storage
e. Rare books and special manuscript collections storage
f. Conservation storage solutions
g. Private collectors
Challenges and recommendation:
The ability to adapt, in terms of overall processes, functions, workflows, technology, initiatives, museums are fairly behind and reluctant to change.
One of the biggest challenges that face museum administration each day is finding adequate storage forever growing collections of valuable items such as art, artifacts and fossils.
Museums are constantly adding new pieces to their galleries; however, the space of the building remains the same. The only way for Museum to win the rolling battle is to explore more efficient storage options.
To store more of the collection in less space, high density storage is the best way to keep museums on track. High density storage unit dramatically maximize floor space. They also come in a variety of types, from electrical powered mobile shelving to mechanical assist mobile shelving as well as many other options – making it easy for museum facilities to choose the perfect system for their storage needs.
Organisation is also critical to a successful functioning museum. Without a systematic method of storage, items will get lost or damaged. An organized museum environment also enables it to operate efficiently, reducing the time spent trying to locate a specific items.
Conclusion
It is impartial to remember that the job of storing items in museums is never really “done”
Museum storage is an ongoing process that needs consistent attention.
That’s why we are always on the lookout for better ways to help create a masterpiece of a storage system.
Chika Ezeocha,
Chief Conservator, National War Museum, Umuahia, Abia state
