Jun

Handle with care

One of the challenges of collection care is that we can’t really let folks practice safe handling techniques with real collection pieces. Yeah, we’re not going to let you flip though the pages of a 400-year-old- manuscript while eating a burrito. Instead, the first Collection Item Handling Open House used stunt doubles to stand in for the real thing.

Five tables were set up for visitors to explore during the Open House. (Photo by Michael Barnes)

Hosted by the National Collections Program and the Collections Professional Development Subcommittee, earlier this year, the goal of the Open House was to introduce non-collections staff to the rationale behind why collections staff use specific methods when handling collection items from archive, library and museum collections. In addition, staff who already work with collections items had the chance to learn techniques for other kinds of collections.

People gathered around table at Collections Open House

Brian Abrams (FSG) talks with Open House attendees as they interact with various materials. (Phot by Michael Barnes)

Nearly 60 staff, interns, volunteers and docents from 26 different Smithsonian units attended the three-hour session. The participants were first issued a pair of nitrile gloves (made from a compound that feels like latex but is non-allergic.) Then they were free to explore five tables of stunt-double objects representing collection items such as archival materials, books, ceramics, corals, fabric and textiles, jewelry, metals and shells. The hands-on collections explorers were guided by Smithsonian colleagues Morgan Aronson (Smithsonian Libraries); Brian Abrams (Freer | Sackler); Cathy Hawks (Natural History Museum); Becky Kaczkowski (Museum Conservation Institute); Cali Martin (American Indian Museum); Melissa Miller (National Collections Program); Shannon Nortz (NCP); Dave Schwartz (Air and Space Museum Archives); and Katie Wagner (SIL). The table leaders explained how and why to handle and store certain items and fielded many thoughtful questions from the participants, often learning something new themselves.

Becky Kaczkowski (MCI) demonstrates handling methods for fragile materials. (Photo by Michael Barnes)

Whether you just joined the Smithsonian community or are a seasoned Smithsonian veteran, this Open House was a great opportunity to brush up on the basics and collaborate with your colleagues! On a personal note, it brought me great joy to see so many people finding connections with each other through collections care practices. NCP has already received requests for additional training sessions at other Smithsonian locations, so stay tuned for additional opportunities to explore and learn together.

If you would like us to take our show on the road to your unit, please send me a note (snells@si.edu).

Morgan Aronson (Smithsonian Libraries) demonstrates handling techniques for library collections. (Photo by Michael Barnes)

Special thanks are due to Michael Barnes (Smithsonian Institution Archives) for photographing the event, the table leaders who generously volunteered their time and expertise, NCP Director Bill Tompkins and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee (Craig Blackwell, Office of the General Counsel; Paula DePriest, Museun Conservation Institute; Ricc Ferrante, SIA;, Bob Horton, American History; Cali Martin, NMAI, and Shannon Nortz, NCP) for supporting the development and implementation of this event.

Samantha Snell is a collections management specialist with the Smithsonian’s National Collection Program. If you’d like to learn more about NCP’s activities and initiatives, please contact her at snells@si.edu.