Collections Management and Conservation

**Accessioning #

** The process of formally accepting an object into a museum's collection. This includes documenting the object's provenance, condition, and any relevant information, as well as assigning it a unique accession number.

**Active Collection #

** The portion of a museum's collection that is currently being used for exhibitions, research, or other museum activities.

**Acquisition #

** The process of obtaining an object for a museum's collection, either through purchase, donation, or bequest.

**Adventitious Binder #

** A substance, usually an adhesive, that is not originally part of an object but has been added during conservation treatment.

**Archival Supports #

** Materials, such as matboard and paper, that are used to support and protect objects during storage and display.

**Authenticity #

** The truthfulness or accuracy of an object's origins, history, or attribution.

**Basic Conservation #

** A level of conservation treatment that is limited to stabilizing an object and preventing further deterioration.

**Binder #

** A substance that holds particles together, such as the glue in paper or the proteins in leather.

**Condition Assessment #

** The process of evaluating an object's physical and chemical condition in order to determine its stability and potential treatment needs.

**Consolidation #

** The process of strengthening or reattaching loose or fragile parts of an object.

**Conservation #

** The field of study concerned with the preservation and protection of cultural heritage, including museum objects.

**Conservation Science #

** The application of scientific principles and techniques to the study and treatment of museum objects.

**Cultural Heritage #

** The physical artifacts, buildings, and landscapes that are valued for their historical, artistic, or cultural significance.

**Deacidification #

** The process of neutralizing or removing acid from an object, usually paper, in order to slow down its deterioration.

**Decorative Arts #

** Objects that are made for use and decoration, such as furniture, textiles, and metalwork.

**Deformation #

** A change in an object's shape or form, usually as a result of stress or pressure.

**Digitization #

** The process of converting analog information, such as photographs or documents, into a digital format.

**Disaster Planning #

** The process of developing and implementing a plan for responding to emergencies or disasters that could potentially damage a museum's collection.

**Documentation #

** The process of recording information about an object, including its provenance, condition, and treatment history.

**Easel Paintings #

** Paintings that are created on a flat, rigid support, such as canvas or wood panel.

**Exhibition Design #

** The process of planning and creating an exhibition, including the selection of objects, design of display cases, and development of interpretive materials.

**Exhibition Planning #

** The process of researching and developing a concept for an exhibition, including the selection of objects, development of interpretive materials, and scheduling.

**Exhibition Proposals #

** A written document outlining a proposed exhibition, including its theme, objects, and interpretive materials.

**Fiber Reactive Dyes #

** Dyes that form a covalent bond with the fibers they are applied to, resulting in a more permanent color.

**Fragile Objects #

** Objects that are easily damaged or broken, and therefore require special handling and storage.

**Fugitive Colors #

** Colors that are prone to fading or changing over time.

**Handling #

** The process of moving or manipulating an object, usually during exhibition or conservation treatment.

**Herbarium #

** A collection of preserved plant specimens.

**Historic Furnishings #

** Objects that are used to furnish historic buildings or recreate historic interiors.

**Housing #

** The process of providing support and protection for an object during storage or transport.

**Inorganic Materials #

** Materials that do not contain carbon atoms, such as metals, ceramics, and glass.

**Integrated Pest Management (IPM) #

** A systematic approach to managing pests in museums, including the use of physical barriers, traps, and chemical treatments.

**Interpretation #

** The process of making museum objects meaningful to visitors, usually through the use of labels, audio guides, or interactive displays.

**Loans #

** The temporary transfer of an object from one institution to another for exhibition or research purposes.

**Matting #

** The process of cutting and assembling a frame for a painting or photograph, including the mounting of the object on a matboard.

**Material Analysis #

** The use of scientific techniques to identify and analyze the materials that make up an object.

**Matrix #

** The material in which an object is embedded or contained, such as the plaster in a cast or the resin in a fossil.

**Museum Registration #

** The process of documenting and tracking museum objects, including their provenance, condition, and location.

**Natural History Collections #

** Objects that are collected and preserved for their scientific or educational value, such as specimens of plants, animals, or minerals.

**Non #

destructive Testing (NDT):** The use of non-invasive techniques to examine and analyze museum objects, such as X-ray fluorescence or infrared reflectography.

**Objects Conservation #

** The field of study concerned with the preservation and protection of three-dimensional museum objects.

**Paint Analysis #

** The use of scientific techniques to identify and analyze the pigments and binders used in paintings.

**Paper Conservation #

** The field of study concerned with the preservation and protection of works of art on paper, including prints, drawings, and watercolors.

**Passive Collection #

** The portion of a museum's collection that is not currently being used for exhibitions, research, or other museum activities.

**Pest Management #

** The process of preventing and controlling pests in museums, including insects, rodents, and mold.

**Photographic Materials #

** Objects that are made using photographic processes, such as negatives, prints, and slides.

**Preventive Conservation #

** The field of study concerned with the prevention of deterioration and damage to museum objects, including the control of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light.

**Provenance #

** The history of ownership or custody of an object, including its origin, previous owners, and exhibition history.

**Rehousing #

** The process of moving an object from one type of housing to another, usually in order to improve its protection or accessibility.

**Relating #

** The process of physically connecting or associating related objects, such as a pair of shoes or a set of dishes.

**Remedial Conservation #

** A level of conservation treatment that is more extensive than basic conservation, and may involve the repair or replacement of damaged parts.

**Restoration #

** The process of returning an object to its original appearance or condition, usually through the use of reconstruction or reproduction.

**Risk Assessment #

** The process of identifying and evaluating potential risks to a museum's collection, including the likelihood and impact of various threats.

**Sample Analysis #

** The use of scientific techniques to examine and analyze small samples of an object, such as paint chips or textile fibers.

**Scientific Analysis #

** The use of scientific techniques to examine and analyze museum objects, including the identification of materials, the analysis of pigments and binders, and the examination of stratigraphy.

**Sculpture Conservation #

** The field of study concerned with the preservation and protection of three-dimensional art objects, including statues, reliefs, and installations.

**Sensitive Materials #

** Objects that are vulnerable to damage from environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light, such as photographs, textiles, and works of art on paper.

**Storage Design #

** The process of planning and creating storage systems for museum objects, including the selection of appropriate materials, the arrangement of objects, and the provision of environmental control.

**Textile Conservation #

** The field of study concerned with the preservation and protection of textiles, including clothing, tapestries, and upholstery.

**Treatment Proposals #

** A written document outlining a proposed conservation treatment, including the rationale, methods, and expected outcomes.

**Treatment Report #

** A written document detailing the conservation treatment that has been carried out on an object, including the methods used, the results achieved, and any recommendations for future care.

**Unstable Objects #

** Objects that are prone to change or deterioration, and therefore require special handling and care.

**Visual Documentation #

** The process of photographing or filming museum objects, usually for the purpose of documentation or interpretation.

**Works of Art on Paper #

** Objects that are created using paper as a support, such as prints, drawings, and watercolors.

**X #

radiography:** A non-destructive