Worksheet 6: Collections Checklist

Disclaimer

The information in this document is based on the current understanding of the issues presented. It does not necessarily apply in all situations, nor do any represented activities ensure complete protection as described. Although reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, the publisher, Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI), does not provide any guarantee with respect to this information, nor does it assume any liability for any loss, claim or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use of or reliance upon the information. CCI does not endorse or make any representations about any products, services or materials detailed in this document or on external websites referenced in this document; these products, services or materials are, therefore, used at your own risk.

On this page

• Introduction
• Instructions
• Worksheet example

Alternative format

Download a fillable version of Worksheet 6: Collections Checklist as a PDF (PDF, 302 KB).

Introduction

The Emergency Response Planning Manual describes four steps that provide heritage institutions with a structured framework for identifying collections response strategies. This worksheet can be used to complete step 1 called “Adopt a procedure and form for initial damage assessment,” which will help you create a succinct list of object categories suitable for an initial damage assessment form, like the one suggested in the Emergency Plan Template. This worksheet can also be used in conjunction with Worksheet 7: Salvage Priorities Questionnaire to complete step 3 called “Identify salvage priorities.”

Instructions

Give a copy of this worksheet to the people in your institution (conservators, collections managers or curators) who know your collections and their properties best. The worksheet can be filled out by one individual or by a team working together. It may be helpful to consult with external conservators who have greater understanding of the properties of your collections if you do not have any on staff.

Select all of the categories and subcategories that are present in your collections. Edit the categories and subcategories or add new ones if needed. Compare the list of selected object categories with the default collection categories in the “Initial damage assessment – overall collections damage” form in the Emergency Plan Template, if you are using that document. Edit the collection categories to reflect those selected in this worksheet, combining object categories when a more general category is sufficient.

Compare the selected subcategories with the objects that are proposed for the list of salvage priorities for your institution to assess whether they are difficult to salvage.

Worksheet example

The tables below present the object categories and subcategories as they are grouped in Worksheet 6. Although many institutions will select categories from all three tables, specialized collections may need only one of them. For example, the staff of a small art gallery with a traditional art collection may only use the first table, “Artworks and archival records.” Of the object categories, they may select art on paper, paintings, photographic prints and sculptures. Of the related subcategories, only those for art on paper and a few for photographic prints may be relevant.

Once you have reviewed the tables, download and complete the PDF of Worksheet 6.