Improved Collection Care

Prior to 2018, the Hastings Museum collections were stored on open garage shelves, which are an inefficient use of space. Like other museums, space is in short supply and artifacts were stored in seven different areas of the building. This complicated locating objects for display purposes. In addition, some of these locations do not have proper climate control. As a strategic measure to increase our efficiency and improve collections care, we determined that we would bring all of the collections together in one area by installing compact mobile storage units and updating climate control.

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Image 2 Image 1: The condition of collection storage prior to project.

Image 2: Mobile storage systems have carriages under the shelves that move along a track system, eliminating the need for multiple isles and makes better use of room space by expanding the amount of shelving that can be used.

Due to the potential weight load, the lower level is destined to be mostly collection storage. However, the magnitude of making these changes requires several stages, not only for the storage aspect but also for moving exhibits. The first phase of the collection project began in 2018. Collections were removed from two existing storage areas to allow for new climate control systems to be installed and make way for the new shelving.

The first set of mobile shelves was installed in 2019 using funds raised from collected sales tax money. Staff immediately began processing artifacts to fill the shelves. This process includes cleaning each item, photo documenting, updating the records, providing proper support within a container (usually an acid free box), and assigning specific location within the storage system. The result of this work will lead to the most efficient use of limited space and decrease staff time for locating items, increasing response time to patron inquiries, and allowing exhibit staff to identify artifacts suitable for display without having to open every box.

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While the first phase of physical renovations is complete, the rehousing of artifacts will be on-going for some years. The second phase will add additional compact storage in the old Kool-Aid exhibit area and cannot begin until the new exhibit is complete.

Image 3: Artifacts stored on the new shelves have protective boxes and are assigned a specific location within the system.