Survey on display cases

A survey for users of display cases and glazed frames for local
environmental control of indoor heritage collections

    <URL:http://goo.gl/E03y61>

This survey aims to document the recent practices and perspectives
of collections managers who use display cases and glazed frames to
slow deterioration of exhibits from inappropriate temperature,
relative humidity and pollution.  It was prompted by the recent
relaxation of national and international guidelines for acceptable
daily and yearly temperature and relative humidity spans in
collecting institutions.

The risks of these "thermo-hygrometric set-points" to heritage
collections and the benefits to ecological and economic resources
are being debated. Meanwhile, the guidelines point collections
managers towards exhibit enclosures as long-recognised tools for
locally controlling temperature and humidity; plus light, human
interference, pests and gaseous and particulate pollution.

But how fit for purpose are display cases and glazed frames for
countering extreme and fluctuating temperature and water vapour
levels?  Which types of enclosures and treatment and monitoring
methods for enclosed atmospheres are presently in use?  Are they
considered effective?  What are their limitations and side-effects?
Could measurements and models of environments and enclosure
envelopes be more widely exploited for more appropriate enclosure
airtightness and improved conservation strategies?  Could advances
in environmental control be made while using green and affordable
technologies?

This survey begins to answer these questions by taking a snapshot of
the recent behaviours and opinions of enclosure users.  It aims to
guide the future manufacture, testing, use and maintenance of
enclosures for more efficient and sustainable conservation of
vulnerable exhibits.

Closing date: Wednesday 1 July 2015

Contact: jamesbcrawford76<-at->gmail<.>com

James Crawford BAppSc (Cons. Cult. Mats.) MCons (App. Cons.)
PhD student
Department of Physics
University of Warwick
Gibbet Hill Road
Coventry CV4 7AL
United Kingdom
+44 2476 572 840
Mobile:  +44 7514 807 366
Fax: +44 2476 150 897
Skype:  james.b.crawford
MSN Messenger: jamesbcrawford76<-at->gmail<.>com


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 29:5
                   Distributed: Friday, June 19, 2015
                        Message Id: cdl-29-5-008
                                  ***