Exhibits and preservation

The Preservation Office here at Princeton is responsible for all
exhibit preparation and installation in the main library.
(Curatorial staff from the library's Department of Rare Books and
Special Collections are responsible for the intellectual content of
the exhibits.)  I would like to hear from the staff of  other
library preservation/conservation units with similar
responsibilities who can offer insights into the following:

     1.  Can you close off your exhibit space to the public between
        exhibits?

    1a. If you cannot, how do you inform the public and staff moving
        through the space of an exhibit change and the preparations
        currently being made to install a new one?

    2.  How long on average does it take for you to take down one
        exhibit and install another?

    2a. If you are in a public space which remains open, exhibit in
        place or not, how long do your exhibit cases remain empty
        between exhibits?

    3.  Do you have dedicated exhibit prep staff?

    3a. If yes, how many FTE?

    3b. What level are these staff?  Professional, technical,
        paraprofessional?

    3c. If no, how do you handle exhibit prep among your staff?

    3d. What priority is given to exhibit work in relation to other
        department work?

    4.  During take down of one exhibit and installation of another,
        do you call in other preservation staff to expedite the
        process, ie to shorten downtime as much as possible, eg by
        making cradles or mats, fabricating labels and case cards,
        cleaning cases, removing/installing objects from/in the
        cases, etc?

    5.  Who is your library is responsible for the intellectual
        content of the exhibits?

    5a. Do these staff meet your deadlines regarding receipt of
        materials to prep them appropriately?

    6.  How many exhibits do you put up in a typical year?

    6a. How many objects do you handle for exhibit in a typical
        year?

    6b. Of those objects you handle, how many receive conservation
        treatment before or after exhibit?

    7.  For those of you without exhibit responsibilities, does your
        library have a separate exhibits office?

Princeton Special Collections Conservation unit staff within the
Preservation Office are responsible for exhibits, and one technical
position is dedicated to exhibit prep and installation etc.  (Other
unit staff pitch in when necessary to expedite matters.)  This
position is one year young but exhibit prep was handled differently
(in special collections) prior to this position's establishment.
Last year we prepped and installed 9 exhibits in three separate
exhibit areas in the library.  This involved handling more than
1,000 objects--books, flat papers, and 3D pieces.  We also loaned a
number of objects for 5 exhibits at other institutions.  Items
requiring treatment and protection in order for them to be safely
exhibited are handled accordingly.  There has been a tremendous
growth in the amount of work being done along with concomitant
challenges which must be addressed. So I am asking for you to share
your experiences with me and the list.

This query was posted on another list without much response. Thanks.

Robert J. Milevski
Preservation Librarian
Princeton University Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-258-5591
Fax: 609-258-4105

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:48
               Distributed: Wednesday, November 26, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-11-48-009
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