Caring for collections

Caring for collections is easy when you know how. With the assistance of these short videos, be a custodian of our history and learn how to preserve your collection for future generations to enjoy.

Please visit our extensive range of information guides if you would like more details about suppliers and resources.

Dealing with disaster – Part one: how to recover a flood-damaged collection

Catch your breath and make a plan to salvage your collection in the event of disaster — ensuring personal safety, gathering supplies, setting up a salvage station, and safely removing items from a disaster site.

Dealing with disaster – Part two: how to salvage your water damaged collection

Take the first steps to salvage water damaged collections — washing off mud and other contaminants, drying, and freezing wet collections with a focus on paper based collections.

How to care for your family collection

Take the first steps in caring for your family history collection — sorting, creating an inventory list, housing, and prioritising items.

How to house your collection

Learn how to choose immediate housing enclosures for your collection including conservation appropriate materials, paper versus plastic enclosures, and practical solutions to common storage challenges.

How to store your collection safely

Make storage decisions for the longevity of your collection — choosing storage furniture, storage location, and housekeeping activities.

How to safely handle your collection

Make the right choices when handling your collection — when to wear gloves, what type to use, examining objects for potential weak points, and other tips for safe collection handling.

How to safely display your collection

Learn how to safely display your collection — preparing a display space, using object supports, choosing display furniture, and regular housekeeping.

How to care for textiles

Learn how to slow down textile degradation, prolonging its longevity — choosing the right storage environment, lighting and display areas, and protecting from pests and mould.

How to care for metals

Understand metal objects and their vulnerability to corrosive damage and tarnishing — choosing safe handling techniques, stable storage environment, good housekeeping and appropriate cleaning will help preserve your metal collections.

How to digitise your collection

Choose the right options to safely digitise your documentary heritage collections — digitising your treasured items enables you to preserve and share photographs and documents with family and friends.

After the Fridge - How to care for children's artwork

Deciding what children’s artwork to keep and dispose of can be a tough decision to make, especially if it holds sentimental value. Learn what to look for when children’s artwork starts to deteriorate and what you can do to prevent it from getting worse. Take steps to store and handle your collection safely so you can share with friends and family into the future.

An extended video including a Q&A webinar session held in 2020 is available here.