Hi Ken,

I can put her in touch with someone who runs a similar museum in Athens, PA and went through a very similar process with his map collection (some of which date to the 17th century). I'm sure he would be willing to assist her, particularly since they also use Past Perfect software for inventorying/cataloging, etc. 

When I read her message I cringed thinking about storing maps standing up! 

Will get in touch with her. I know a lot of people here will be willing and able to assist as well, likely beginning with pointing her to the WAML Map Librarians Toolkit as but one resource...

Paige
From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Ken Rockwell <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 4, 2020 11:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: FW: Map Collection preservation question
 

Here's hoping the collective wisdom may help answer some technical question.

She refers to photos that may not survive this forward, but I'm sure she could send them directly to you if requested.


--Ken Rockwell

University of Utah

----------------------------


Hi Ken,
 
I hope you are doing well in these crazy times.  I found your contact information on the University of Utah library specialist page.  I was hoping you would answer some questions I have about property organizing and storing our map and oversized document collection at the Tooele Valley Museum.  I am a trained historian and have taken classes in basics of archives and museum studies, but I don’t have tons of experience with maps.  I want to do the best I can with our maps.
 
Just to give you background on our situation.  When, I began at the museum a couple years ago, the very large collection of manuscripts, maps, photos, film, and objects had never been curated.  The museum opened 37 years ago in railroad depot built in 1909.   I have been working to create an inventory of the collection in Past Perfect,  get it stored as best as we can, and develop a long-term preservation plan.   After two years of gathering the wide variety of objects from many odd storage places and sorting it, we are ready to start on our great journey of accessioning.  Our first project is the maps and oversize materials.  These are a group because we have not sorted through the pile yet. 
 
They had been stored on the top shelf in the old vault (pictures of vault included).  My questions are:
 
1                 We don’t have money for a flat file, yet.  What is the best way to store them until then.  Should they stand up or lay on their sides? 
2                 Do we need to put protective covers on each one?
3                 I was going to put their accession number in pencil on the back in the top left corner.  Should I also add a non-acidic paper band around the map to keep it rolled up and provide the accession number and title?  Would that damage it over time?  Would string with a tag be better?
 
I appreciate any assistance you could give me.   If I should be talking to someone else, please le me know who that would be.  If you need anymore information or photos, please let me know.
 
Stephanie
 
Stephanie Fuglaar Statz, Ph.D
Museum Coordinator
Tooele Valley Museum & Historical Park
(435)882-2836
Tooelevalleymuseum.com
email:  [log in to unmask]