Worksheet 8: Salvage Priorities Inventory
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
Alternative format
Download a fillable version of Worksheet 8: Salvage Priorities Inventory as a PDF (PDF, 223 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 3 called “Identify salvage priorities,” which can help with triage during salvage and ensure that high value objects are recovered. This worksheet can be used in conjunction with Worksheet 7: Salvage Priorities Questionnaire.
Instructions
Compile all the objects identified as potential salvage priorities from the copies of Worksheet 7 and record them in Worksheet 8. List the objects in order of descending priority score. List those with the same score in alphabetical order or by accession number. List objects more than once if identified by more than one person, especially if the score differs. Use more than one copy of the worksheet table if necessary.
Once a list has been compiled, meet with staff who have identified the possible salvage priorities. Begin by agreeing on a target for the number of objects to include in the emergency plan. Then review the objects listed in Worksheet 8 and decide which of them are important enough to be listed in your emergency plan as salvage priorities; for example, those above a certain priority score. Enter “Yes” in column 5 for each object selected. If an object is not selected, enter “No.” Continue the discussion until everyone agrees on which objects are salvage priorities and which are not.
Next, decide whether the objects identified as salvage priorities are also evacuation priorities. Enter “Yes” in the sixth column only if it might be feasible to remove the objects to a safer location when advance notice is given.
Finally, have someone transfer the list to the salvage priorities table in your emergency plan. You may wish to re-organize the rows by location or accession number to make the list most useful in the event of an emergency.
Instead of Worksheet 8, you may wish to use the “Inventory” tab in the Salvage Priorities Assessment Tool (Excel spreadsheet, 127.7 KB) for the discussion about salvage priorities. First, enter the questionnaire information from each person’s spreadsheet or from their copies of Worksheet 7 into the “Questionnaire” tab of one master spreadsheet. A list of all objects evaluated in the “Questionnaire” tab will be generated automatically in the “Inventory” tab of the spreadsheet. Sort the list by priority scores as indicated on the spreadsheet. Then complete the entries to the table as described for Worksheet 8. The final list can be sorted by location or accession number and then copied and pasted from the spreadsheet directly into your emergency plan.
Worksheet example
The table below gives an example of what Worksheet 8 would look like when filled in with the answers of value assessments for seven objects from the collection of a municipal archives. The objects were entered in order of descending priority scores. The notes indicate key characteristics that contribute to value and any potential handling issues and will inform the discussion about which objects to include as salvage or evacuation priorities in the emergency plan.
Once you have reviewed the example, download and complete the PDF of Worksheet 8.
| Priority score | Object(s) | Accession number(s) or fonds | Current location(s) | Salvage priority | Evacuation priority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Charter, 1950 | 1962.07 | AM-V-10D | Yes | Yes | On display in locked showcase |
| 15 | Mayoral fonds, 1950–1956 | F134 | AM-V-10A Boxes 4 to 15 | Yes | Yes | Records of pivotal time in town’s history |
| 15 | Local Newspaper, 1930–1935 | N001 | AM-V-2A-F Boxes 1 to 30 | Yes | No | Complete series; local weekly; not available elsewhere in paper format |
| 10 | Artist’s book | 2003.5.4 | AM-111-4C | Yes | No | Local artist; high monetary value; stored in metal cabinet |
| 8 | Local Newspaper, 1930–1935 | N001 | AM-V-2A-F Boxes 1 to 30 | No | No | Available on microfilm and has been digitized |
| 8 | Railway station clock | 1987.5 | AM-111-6F | No | No | Only object that remains of the town’s railway station |
| 7 | Portrait, Dr. E.H. Whittaker | 1963.10 | AM-111-4C | No | No | Mayor of another town; family moved here |