Webinars

The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) and the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN) work with heritage professionals and institutions to help build their capacity for conserving and preserving objects and collections. CCI and CHIN offer the following webinars, which cover a variety of topics and appeal to a broad range of individuals. The webinars are designed to encourage questions and interaction between the presenters and participants. Webinars offered will vary from year to year, based on staff expertise and availability.

Each webinar may consist of one or more sessions of up to two hours in length. The webinars incorporate presentations from CCI and CHIN staff, discussion and sharing opportunities as well as question periods. The webinars provide introductory-level information designed for staff and volunteers working in heritage institutions, unless a target audience is otherwise specified in the description.

Webinars

Webinars available in 2024–2025

Register for a webinar

Webinars

This is a complete list of webinars developed by CCI and CHIN. For current webinar offerings see Webinars available in 2024–2025.

• Basic Handling and Care of Books

  This webinar series is an introduction to the care of books with a focus on handling books of significance to collections. Unlike many objects held in heritage collections, books are typically objects of use and are not meant merely to be displayed. As structural objects that are almost always designed to move, they are subject to stress and damage related to that use. Damage can occur due to the quality of the materials, the strength or weakness of the binding, the type of handling and the environmental conditions.

  Upon completion of this series, participants will

  • understand basic care and handling procedures for bound books,
  • know how to practise safe handling and support of a book when it’s in use,
  • identify the agents of deterioration that can impact a book’s longevity and
  • recognize how historic evidence is inherent in a book’s physical structure.

• Introduction to Digital Preservation

  This webinar series is offered in four two-hour sessions and is designed to introduce participants from small and medium-sized heritage institutions to digital preservation, its core activities, tools and challenges. Particular focus is given to the lifecycle management of digital preservation activities and the drafting of digital preservation policies, plans and procedures. Other topics covered include file formats, storage media, preservation metadata and open-source software solutions.

  Upon completion of this series, participants will be able to

  • apply their understanding of key terms, common challenges and core activities of digital preservation;
  • access resources from leading authorities in digital preservation and leverage these resources to improve their institution’s digital preservation practice;
  • develop a digital preservation policy and plan, including an assessment of their institutional readiness for digital preservation and the identification of areas for improvement; and
  • install and use some of the most common open-source software tools for digital preservation activities.

• Introduction to Exhibit Lighting

  This webinar series is offered in three 90-minute sessions. It will provide an overview of exhibit lighting for museums and galleries. The presentations will highlight preservation and visibility considerations for lighting, such as object light-sensitivity, illuminance levels and light dose management. Differences between illuminant types will also be discussed, particularly through comparisons of LED lighting technology and incandescent sources. The series is suitable for anyone who contributes to lighting decisions in museums, galleries and archives.

  Upon completion of this series, participants will be able to

  • assess the risks associated with illuminating objects, considering their light-sensitivity and future exposure conditions;
  • analyze the visibility and aesthetic aspects of lighting design; and
  • understand the different illuminants available, with a focus on LED technology.

• Introduction to the Care of Metals in Museum Collections

  This webinar series provides a general overview of metal objects found in museum collections. Included is information about

  • the properties of metals and how to identify them,
  • common causes of deterioration,
  • how to recognize corrosion products and
  • how environments can cause corrosion, even indoors.

  Upon completion of this series, participants will be able to

  • identify a wide variety of metals commonly found in museum collections,
  • identify corrosion problems associated with metals,
  • use this knowledge to create basic condition reports and
  • provide basic care for common metals found indoors.

• Introduction to the Care of Outdoor Metal Collections

  This webinar series provides a general overview of metal objects, such as public art and architecture, that are usually found outdoors. Included is information about the properties of metals and how to identify them, as well as a discussion of common causes of degradation, corrosion products and outdoor environments that cause corrosion.

  Upon completion of this series, participants will be able to

  • identify a wide variety of metals used in outdoor applications,
  • identify corrosion problems associated with metals,
  • use this knowledge to create basic condition reports and
  • provide recommendations for the basic care of common metals found outdoors.

• Introduction to the Care of Textiles

  This three-part webinar series is an introduction to the care of costumes and textiles commonly found in Canadian collections. Fundamental information about fibres, structures and manufacturing processes that affect the long-term stability of textiles is provided. Both inherent and environmental agents of deterioration and typical signs of damage are described. A wide range of preventive conservation topics specifically related to textiles is explored. Basic conservation interventions are presented, and issues in ethical decision making are addressed.

  Upon completion of this series, participants will be able to

  • carry out safe handling and documentation procedures for textiles;
  • prepare textiles, costumes and accessories for storage and display;
  • recognize agents of deterioration and understand how they degrade textiles; and
  • implement preventive conservation procedures for textiles.

• Introduction to the Identification and Care of Photographic Materials

  This two-part webinar series will discuss how to use distinguishing features to differentiate and identify a select range of photographic processes. Proper storage and handling techniques for photograph collections will also be covered. This course, offered in French only, will put a particular emphasis on French vocabulary and the English equivalent in order to give participants the basic knowledge necessary to use English-language resources accessible online for free.

• Introduction to the RE-ORG Method

  The RE-ORG method for storage reorganization is a step-by-step approach to assist small to medium-sized heritage institutions in regaining access to their collections in storage and engage their community. RE-ORG was developed by ICCROM with the support of UNESCO and adapted for distance learning in collaboration with CCI. This 45-minute webinar will present an overview of the RE-ORG method, answer common questions and share useful resources for participants interested in learning more about RE-ORG.

  Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to

  • identify the main steps involved in the RE-ORG method and
  • know how to access additional resources about the RE-ORG method.

• Photography on a Dime: Thrifty Tools and Free Software for Heritage Professionals

  In this webinar, CCI photographers will

  • share ideas on how to fabricate studio equipment from common household items when working with a small budget,
  • highlight valuable open-source software programs and demonstrate their key features for editing cultural heritage images and
  • discuss the inexpensive tools that they use in the CCI studio.
  • This webinar will also be an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas.

  Target audience: Those who are currently or will be involved in photodocumentation projects within a heritage institution. Participants are expected to have a fundamental knowledge of camera settings and functions (such as ISO and aperture) and a basic understanding of lighting equipment as this information will not be reviewed in the webinar. Participants should also possess practical computer skills.

Webinars available in 2024–2025

• Basic Handling and Care of Books (French only)
• Introduction to Digital Preservation (English only)
• Introduction to Exhibit Lighting (English only)
• Introduction to the Identification and Care of Photographic Materials (French only)
• Introduction to the RE-ORG Method

Cancellations

Please note that CCI and CHIN reserve the right to cancel a webinar, if the minimum enrolment requirement of 10 participants is not met.

Register for a webinar

Consult our Training and learning activity calendar to view webinars offered from April 1 to March 31 each year and to register.

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