Collections Maintenance and Care: Agents of Deterioration – Practical Exercise
One of the most important elements in collections care is preventing the destructive affects of the nine agents of deterioration. This effort, known commonly as preventative conservation, looks to detect, avoid, block, or mitigate any and all damage caused by these agents. In this exercise, you will be presented with three scenarios featuring one or more agents of deterioration. For each scenario, identify which agents you think are causing the damage. Then in the space provided, devise a basic plan to stop or impede the deterioration.
Use the following guides to help make your decisions:
Simmons, John E., Things Great and Small: Collections Management Policies, Chapter 12.
Hoffman, Frank W. and Richard J. Wood, Library Collection Development Policies, Chapter 20.
Scenario #1: You decide to check on the storage area where your institution’s historic furnishings are stored when not on display. While examining the silverware set, you notice some of the forks are now tarnished. You recall that maintenance staff had recently been near the storage area and used a cleaning material that you aren’t familiar with. At the same time, staff complained of an odd odor.
Agents of Deterioration Direct Physical Force Pollutants and Contaminants
Thieves/Vandals Light and Radiation
Fire Incorrect Temperature
Water Incorrect Relative Humidity
Pests Plan of Action
Scenario #2: A researcher comes to his appointment to access your historic letter collection and you retrieve the collection for him. At the end of the day, the collection is returned to you. Upon inspection of the letter collection, you see that several pages have creases that were not reported on the condition report in your database. There is also a page missing that refers to an important Civil War battle that happened near your town.
Agents of Deterioration Direct Physical Force Pollutants and Contaminants
Thieves/Vandals Light and Radiation
Fire Incorrect Temperature
Water Incorrect Relative Humidity
Pests Plan of Action
Scenario #3: It is time to inventory your fine art collection, which is kept off-site because some of the pieces are over-size. You enter into the leased storage area and right away you notice it is a bit warm. Some of the canvas art pieces seem slightly warped in their frames. You also notice a sticky trap in the corner and there are critters stuck to the trap.
Agents of Deterioration Direct Physical Force Pollutants and Contaminants
Thieves/Vandals Light and Radiation
Fire Incorrect Temperature
Water Incorrect Relative Humidity
Pests Plan of Action