Museum Research

7/25/2019 Museum Research

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Museum

A Museumis an institution that cares for(conserves) acollectionof artifacts and other

objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historicalimportance and makes them available

for public viewing through exhibitsthat may be permanent or temporary. Most large

museums are located in major cities throughout the world and more local ones exist in

smaller cities, towns and even the countryside. Museums have varying aims, ranging

from serving researchers and specialists to serving the general public. he continuing

acceleration in the digiti!ationof information, combined with the increasing capacity

of digital information storage, is causing the traditional model of museums (i.e. as static"collections of collections" of three#dimensional specimens and artifacts) to expand to

include virtual exhibitsand high#resolution images of their collections for perusal, study,

and exploration from any place with $nternet.

The Role of Museums

Museums% understanding of their role has shifted over the years& the traditional notion of

a museum was as a center of scholarship and curatorial expertise but over time this has

moved towards a more explicitly public#oriented role, helping people to learn about

society, culture, history and science, and providing entertainment (ravers, '). he

M*A%s definition of excellence in museums reflects a strong orientation towards a social

role& it describes excellence as being about the +uality of the experience and the public

benefits gained from engagement (both cultural and social), as well being about

institutions being innovative, risk#taking and international in outlook (M*A, ')

-ollections and the active use of collections are a key element of this, although the

argument is again framed around the social role of museums& it is argued that it is
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preservation_(library_and_archival_science)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collection_(museum)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collection_(museum)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientifichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artistichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culturalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_casehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_data_storagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_museumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collection_(museum)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientifichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artistichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culturalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicalhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_casehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digitizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_data_storagehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_museumhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preservation_(library_and_archival_science)


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through collections and how they are used to deliver cultural experiences that museums

give benefit to the public (M*A, ' /ilkinson, '0).

1vidence on user and general public views of the role of museums also shows a focus

on social or public benefit. 2esearch using focus groups to explore what the public

values about museums suggests that they value museums for supporting learning,especially informal family and life#long learning as a social and recreational space and

for shaping a sense of self and society through preserving cultural heritage and building

understanding of other cultures (3sherwood et al, '0). $t found that people attribute

an 4existence value% to museums, believing that it is important that these functions exist

even if they do not themselves make use of them. 5owever, we cannot be certain

whether these focus groups reflect the full range of public views, because there have

not been any surveys measuring general public attitudes more comprehensively.

2esearch with actual users of museums, namely the 2enaissance regional hub

museums, does show that the highest rated and most important attribute of the museum

experience for these users is as 4a place where you can learn%, which brings

opportunities for developing personal knowledge and understanding (672-

-ontinental, '8).

Character of a Museum

he collection of most small museums is an admixture of many things. /hile there is

nothing wrong in collecting many classes of items, this practice has to be given some

thought if there is a choice. here have been many instances where after some time, a

collection is needed to be rid of items which had become incongruous in terms of class

or +uality. $t might be practical to define at the outset the objectives of the museum sothat the collections can be made to support these objectives. $n effect, one has to define

the character of the museum. his character will help the curator determine, for

instance, what type of structures and facilities are to be made available in terms of

study, storage, conservation, and exhibition. here are general category museums like

the 9ational Museum, and speciali!ed museums as the Metropolitan Museum of

Manila, the Museo ng 6ahay :ilipino, and the -entral 6ank Money Museum. he need

of the community is at times one of the factors determining the character of a museum.

$n most cases, the museum curator is confronted with a conglomeration of objects the

choice for which he had no control whatsoever. ;ptimistically, the items collected areoriginally from and reflect the community where the museum is located.

Collections

A collection may be built and augmented in a number of ways&

8. field collection


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'. donation

name of the object

> the ethnic group of origin

> place of origin

> description

> material (s) used

> functions

> name of parts

> function of parts

> manner of use

> definition of user (s)


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> who ? how produced

> accompanying ritual (s)

> ownership

> distribution

Documentation

$t is imperative for a museum to documents its collections, which at the very least is

composed of a list of the various items. he list names the objects and states how many

of each there are. here are various forms of museum records&

1. Accession Record/ registry

2. Catalogue

3. Photographic record

4. Database

Physical Facilities

he facilities a museum re+uires correspond basically to the various steps in the

processing of specimens or collection items. he ideal certainly is to have ade+uate

space in the museum premises to carry out all the functions. /here the ideal does not

exist, provisions should be made for vital functions to be carried out.

1. Fumigation/ Cleaning

A collection item that has just come in and is newly registered ordinarily undergoes

treatment. he final phase of treatment is cleaning of the item or object just before it is

placed with the rest of the collection. he reason is that it might be infected with fungus,

wood borers, etc., which may contaminate other items in the collection. @umigation is

imperative. $n the absence of fumigation chambers, other means can be resorted to, as


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illustrated on page 9o one should hold office in the storage.

> 9o food or drink should be taken inside the storage area.

> ;nly fumigated?cleaned specimens should enter the storage.

> 1verything that goes in and out of the storage should be recorded.

> $tems should be stored systematically easy retrieval.

> 9o smoking inside the storage room.

> ;nly authori!ed personnel should be allowed inside the storage room.

Storage System

-ollection items should be classified while in storage. he items may be grouped

according to type of items, e.g. baskets, clothing, agricultural tools or by ethnicity, e.g.

agalog, $locano, etc. or by material e.g. wood, metal, etc. @or conservation purposes,

storing by material is recommendable since it is easier to treat, for instance, textiles as a

group instead of individual pieces scattered all over the collection.

he key, of course, for retrieval is through a cross#indexed file combined with a

systemati!ed storage. An item when taken out should be returned to the same place.

$f available, acid#free paper should be used to line shelvings. he shelving section

should be identified so that each item has its own particular slot.


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$f the object is removed, a piece of paper noting the removal of the object, the date,

where the object was taken, the purpose and by whom, should be put in its place. his

is apart from the logbook, which records the entry and exit of items. he following are

some do%s&

> tack materials with no objects touching them or placed on top of another. Allow aircirculation between objects.

> 7o not roll or fold materials. extiles can be rolled around a tube.

> Beep area free of dust.

> 3se gloves in handling specimens. here is acid on your hands.

> 3se both hands in holding specimens. 5andle items as gently as possible as if all

these are very fragile. 2estored objects are specially fragile. -heck on which is the

safest place to hold.

> Allow only trained personnel to handle items.

> 3se only soft illumination in the storeroom.

> Allow ade+uate ventilation to maintain an even temperature in the room.

> @umigate the room periodically.

> :rovide fire#fighting and firescape facilities.

Exhibition


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> ome form of visitor participation is advantageous in maximi!ing the effects of a

museum visit. here are beliefs, however, that visitors expect to remain passive,

preferring to be left on their own.

> 1ducation is the best predictor of museum attendance. > he museum visitor has a

wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

> he museum visitor has limited time

> he museum visitor is physically exhausted after a visit and often overwhelmed by too

much sensory inputs.

> he average museum visitor is not anxious for more information or educational

materials on museum collections. Most people do not read display labels. Beep children

in mind with respect to labels.

$n sum, museums provide different services for different people. Gisitors have differentpersonal interests, thus a museum visit cannot be structured. A museum should

therefore aim to provide a wide range of opportunities for their visitors to choose from,

making the museum experience uni+ue for each individual.

he primary concern of many museums is display of the collection items. *imitations of

space call for well organi!ed exhibits and periodic rotation. Most museums tend to

display everything at once.

he exhibition gallery should be well#ventilated, dust#free with some means to control

light, temperature, and humidity. his would mean that the gallery be an enclosed hall

with no windows through which direct sunlight could enter. /indows, too, can get in the

way of the placement of exhibition facilities and visitors traffic flow.

9o general lighting for the hall is needed but a large number of outlets should be well

and conveniently distributed throughout the room on the base of the wall, the flooring,

or the ceiling, would be recommendable. his would allow tapping of power as needed.

$t is advisable for small museums to opt for display structures that are generali!ed, that

is, designed to accommodate different kinds of objects with varying si!es. here are

three types of display structural facilities needed&

8. hadow boxes

'. :edestals (glassed or unglassed)


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7isplay facilities should be highly adaptive to various needs. $n case of shadow boxes,

the glassed portion should be deep and high, which could accommodate a number of

related objects rather than just one. ome means of providing ade+uate ventilation for

the displayed object must be made, specially if high# intensity lighting is to be used

which will increase temperature inside the showcase. ;f course, specially valuable

objects warrant a special case.

/here storage space is a problem, the bottom part of display cases can be utili!ed for

storage if constructed as such and provided with access.

:edestals, to save on space, can be made into si!es that can nest inside one another.

here must be some means to lock the glass tops to the bases. $t is better to have a

large pedestal holding a small object than vice versa, so large si!es are better. *arge

ones also are more stable.

ufficient number of assorted si!es of small boxes to be used as individual pedestals ofsmaller objects inside a display case should be available.

7isplay panels should be dismountable so that these can be stored in as small a space

as possible. o last longer, perforated panels are recommended because things can be

laid out on them without the continual use of nails. $t is preferable that the panels are

double#faced.

Conservation

All materials change through time. -onservation merely retards the rate of changes to

perpetuate the condition of an object. $n general, rapid and fre+uent changes in the

physical environment of an object will lead to its earlier deterioration. A relatively stable

environment without the extremes is therefore ideal for conservation of museum

objects. the :hilippines is fortunate in being in the tropics where the fluctuation of

climate is not to the extremes. he difference in annual temperature is not that

pronounced. $n fact, the difference in temperature between day and night is greater. he

problem is more with respect humidity for our environment has plenty of this. -ountries

in temperate regions have greater museological problems due to the fluctuation of

environmental conditions to the extremes.

Attacks of insect and fungi, are constant threats. he most common insects that are the

bane of museologists are wood borers, silverfish, cockroach, termites, moths, and

bookworms. he museum should be fumigated periodically. 9on# residual fumigants are

preferable.


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o avoid the growth of fungi, extreme temperature changes and dampness should be

avoided. hymol crystals can be used to inhibit the growth of moulds. his must be used

with care. $t should not be used near oil paintings, painted woodwork, etc. because it

can soften many paints and lac+uers.

Pollutants

1ven clean air contributes to the decay of specimens due to its oxygen content.

Atmospheric pollution aggravates the situation for museums particularly with respect to

carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and the soot from insufficiently

burned fuel from motor vehicles. 7ust is dangerous for this provides the nuclei for watercondensation and the start of chemical and physical reactions. 9earness to sea poses

dangers of the corrosive effects of salt. he only effective control of air pollution is air

conditioning. /here this is not possible free air ventilation with filtration may be used.

Temperature

$f the temperature range can be managed then this should be kept within the range of

'H- I 'H- as most collection items will not deteriorate as +uickly at these

temperatures. A simple room thermometer will do to measure the temperature. $n theabsence of air conditioners, electric fans or other forms of ventilation will suffice.

Humidity

A relative humidity of 0#00J is recommended. $f the relative humidity goes above 0J

and the temperature is also high, moulds will develop and destroy many objects such as

textiles, pigments and paper. 5ygrometers are used to measure relative humidity. $n the

absence of these, one can more or less feel increased humidity by a feeling of heat,

oppressiveness and stickiness of the skin.

1lectric fans which can circulate air continually during hot and humid weather can help

arrest the development of such fungi since these prefer dark, damp and warm places to

be able to grow. 7essicants in small dishes inside display cases can help. -harcoal and

silica gel substitute in small storages to keep stable temperatures and relative humidity.


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ight

*ight has a deleterious effect on certain materials like pigments, inks, dyes, paper,

textile and the like. $t should therefore be controlled. 9atural light has both ultra#violet

and infra#red rays. 3ltra violet rays can cause chemical changes on some objects while

infra#red light or heat can effect physical changes.

3ltra#violet filtering plexiglass can be used in frames and cases instead of glass.

@luorescent lights can also be covered by these filters. here are lighting facilities like

:hilips *#


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or brushing. 8.= $f wet or water#logged, keep wet and soak in water to remove soluble

chloride that might have come from the soil or sea water. -all expert help from the

9ational Museum.

2. Copper and Copper Alloys

'.8 Mechanical cleaning should be done on the surfaces using dental tools, fine chisels

and scalpels. '.' 7egrease by using acetone to remove other impurities and greasy

coating. '.< 7o not remove entirely corrosion products since these may contain details.

'.= 7istilled water can be used to wash away corrosion or soluble chlorides. '.0

Aggressive cuprous chlorides are removed using 0J oxalic acid solution and soft

brushes.

3. Iron


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.8 Bnow the kind of plant materials. .' Mechanical cleaning using cotton swabs and

distilled water with ammonia to remove oil and grease, and dirt. .< ;rganic solvents

like alcohol, acetone, toluene and petroleum may also be used. est for the appropriate

solvent. 3se the weakest. .= Marks, tapes, adhesives should be removed. .0

-ondition the fibres by relaxing these so they can be reshaped without breakage. .

tore baskets and mats in relatively dark, cool ventilated areas. 9on#air tight plastic

bags may be used. 7o not place one on top of another. hese should not sag under

their own weight. .K Mats should be rolled or stored flat like textiles.

Security

All museum collections should be protected from&

!" Mishandling by personnel

#" Theft

$" Fire

%" &ater

'" (andalism

taff members should be taught how to hold or carry an object of different kinds, e.g.

painting, sculpture, ceramics, baskets, etc. raining is needed in opening a book,

stacking paintings, taking materials out of a frame, carrying an object from one place toanother the use of tapes, the acidity of bare hands and so on. $n fact, in#service training

is indispensable in the handling of all types of museum objects in all possible situations

or processing steps in the museum. $t is fatal to assume that people automatically know

how to handle objects. Mishandling is one of the greatest factors that contribute to the

deterioration of an object, and this is an area where museums tend to be most guilty.

he museum should be secured from theft. he threat can come from within, outside

and the security system itself. All means of entry, including from the roof, should be

studied and secured. -ontrol over keys to locks of entrances should be an ongoing

concern, including the duplication of these. he selection of security personnel and howthey would be disposed should be well considered. 6onded security firms should be

preferred but their personnel should be trained for the needs of a museum.

$f there is a possibility for the installation of an alarm system, then this should be done.

here are many systems available but the selection must be suited to a particular

situation and need. $nfra#red sensing devices that create invisible curtains can be more

effective than the photo#electric cell devices that use beams of light. $t should be kept in


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mind that burglar alarms give a false sense of security. $t should be remembered that

alarms must also be secured.

@ires are always possible. :reventive measures are ideal besides being the cheapest.

:ossible sources of fire should be checked periodically like the electrical wiring,

presence of flammable materials like volatile fuels, chemicals, waxes, oil soaked cloth,etc. @ire extinguishers should be distributed in key areas, and personnel should not only

know where these are but also how to use them. he staff should also know and be

trained on what to do in case of fire. @ire drills should be held regularly. @oam and

water#type extinguishers can do more damage to collection items than anticipated.

1xtinguishers that do not leave residues should be preferred.

/ater can be as dangerous to collection items just as fire and should be avoided.

torage areas should be above ground level to avoid ground water and floods. As much

as possible there should be no water pipes in storage areas. /ater can also come from

leaking roof gutters or ill#placed pipes. Always be aware that the presence of water isdamaging to collection items so that even in conservation processes it must be used

with care.

Gandalism is a problem that can be prevented or minimi!ed by the visibility of security

personnel. An understanding of this can be considered in the layout and placement of

objects, e.g. roping off sensitive areas the use of glass placing susceptible objects

near security areas. 3sually, an exhibition layout that exposes the visitor to view at all

times is highly preventive.

)ecourses for a Museum

8. eneral cleanliness of the storage, exhibition and curatorial areas should be

constantly maintained.

'. -ontrol of environmental conditions.


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F. 3se of water#soluble adhesives.

. Mounting and storing of objects in acid#free containers, including photos and

negatives.

8. 3se of professional conservation help when necessary.

he -hemistry and -onservation *aboratory under the Anthropology 7ivision of the

9ational Museum in Manila is the best e+uipped for this type of work not only in terms of

e+uipment but also of personnel. echnical assistance can be made available upon

re+uest

Design and Planning

/henever it is proposed to build a museum# whether large or small#there is usually one

preliminary matter to be settled& the choice of a site.

A museum should always be readily accessible from all parts of the town by public

transport and, if possible, be within walking distance as well, and must be within easy

reach of schools, colleges, university, and libraries. As a matter of fact, all these

institutions have similar problems and stand e+ually in need of topo graphical

coordination it would be advisable to take this into account at the town#planning stage,

rather than deal with each case separately, as it arises, a method which may involve the

sacrifice or neglect of many desiderata. Museums tend nowadays to be regarded more

and more as "cultural centers." $t must therefore be remembered that as such they are

visited not only by students but by people with different backgrounds who, $ fa museum

is near enough and reach, may come to it, with little time to spare, in search of

instructive recreation.

he objective of the proposed museum should be clearly defined, as well as the

geographic region, the subject (history, natural history, or art) and extent of display and

other services. he following is an example of a suitable basic statement for a small

museum& he basic objective of the Museum is to collect, pre# serve, study and exhibit

significant objects of the com# munity, and provide related educational services in order

to increase public knowledge and stimulate creative activity. his statement should have

further definition by incorporating a reference to the type of collections, whether human

history, natural history or art.

A good museum includes these basic functions& (8) curatorial, (') display, (


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certain activities in a single area as re+uired for economy in a small museum. 6ecause

of the many and varied kinds of tasks which a museum has to perform, it is absolutely

impossible to maintain good housekeeping and curatorial procedures without separation

of functions into separate rooms. his relation between functions and physical facilities

is summari!ed in the following.


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Documents

Museum Research