AIC 53rd Annual Meeting

This presentation explores the challenges associated with loaning objects from institutions that stipulate stricter environmental controls than those typically maintained by the borrowing institution, particularly in the context of increasing sustainability efforts.  The Postal Museum (TPM) in London, is aiming to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, part of this is by becoming more flexible in its approach in controlling conditions, however doing this has highlighted the difficulties of balancing the needs of the collections, the desire to borrow objects and the desire to become more sustainable.

TPM, being a medium sized museum, has the ability to make decisions readily within a small Collections team.  Currently it has been trialling the reduction of plant use to control environmental conditions and has altered its temperature and humidity parameters allowing more flexibility, but without compromising care of the objects it looks after.  We are aware that larger institutions may not have the ability to make changes quite so freely.  Sustainability and reducing energy consumption is not new within the conservation sector and it seems to be the general consensus that changes should be made, however, how much of this is actually becoming a reality?

We will discuss recent case studies in which both the borrowing and lending institutions' requirement specifications varied.  TPM aims to be as flexible as possible when lending items, looking at several measures to off-set both risks to the objects as well as helping to reduce costs and energy use.  This includes minimal use of couriers, especially when the borrowing institution have qualified collection care staff on hand, to the re-use of mounts and being practical about the conditions.  Obviously, each loan is different, and measures will be determined on a case by case basis.

We would like to generate a discussion about how museums can work together better to mitigate these issues by employing alternative conservation strategies, as well as ways to get everyone working to the same standards.  The audience will be encouraged to discuss similar situations they have encountered, any negotiations held and solutions reached.  In our experience, it has been the larger institutions that have been less flexible in their requirements.  Discussions will be raised regarding how the size of the institution affects the process; are larger institutions being hampered by the organisation structure and decision-making process? Do larger institutions want to change their criteria? Or is it that Conservators working in larger institutions are less flexible due to focusing on their own area?

Obviously, there are caveats and specific examples can be found where strict controls are absolutely necessary, but in today's world it is interesting to explore what more can be done to mitigate this.

This presentation aims to contribute to the broader conversations within the museum community about how the museum sector can evolve to meet the dual goals of conservation and sustainability, ensuring the loaning of objects continues to be a viable practice.