Resources

SPNHC produces many informative publications for its members and the public. Become a member to gain complete access to current and archival publications.

Collection Forum 28/1-2

Published: November 15, 2014    

Available online on the Volume 28, Issue 1-2 (Fall 2014) Collection Forum.

Health and Safety for Museum Professionals

Published: November 16, 2011    

The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) and the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections have jointed forces on the ultimate reference book for museum professionals: Health and Safety for Museum Professionals, edited by Catharine Hawks, Michael McCann, Kathyrn Makos, Lisa Goldberg, David Hinkamp, Dennis Ertel, and Patricia Silence.…

How to Pack a Herbarium Specimen for Loan

Published: November 12, 2010    

Although digitization of specimens can help to protect specimens by making loans unnecessary for certain types of research, physical loans will always be needed for systematic research. Practices differ from institution to institution, but the following packing suggestions will help ensure that herbarium specimens arrive in perfect shape.

How to Prepare Seaweed Specimens

Published: November 12, 2010    

This sheet gives some methods and hints on how to prepare seaweed specimens from collection to dry storage. Little specialist equipment is required, and the natural mucilage that seaweeds produce makes mounting relatively easy as they glue themselves to paper. Larger and/or coralline specimens may need a little help from straps and glue.

Introduction to Insect Storage Techniques for Small Collections

Published: November 12, 2010    

This sheet is intended to be of help to the non-specialist in small museums, nature centers, libraries, and schools; or to those people who may ‘inherit’ an insect collection but who aren’t familiar with the basics of insect collections care. Do you have a display box or two of pinned insects on a shelf? Perhaps…

Collection Forum 24/1-2

Published: September 1, 2010    

Articles Maintaining concentration: A new practical method for profiling and topping up alcohol preserved collections David G. Notton Detecting pesticide residues on museum objects in Canadian collections — a summary of surveys spanning a twenty-year period P. Jane Sirois, Jennifer Poulin, and Tom Stone A curatorial assessment for stratigraphic collections to determine suitability for incorporation…

Storage of Natural History Collections: Ideas and Practical Solutions

Published: November 16, 2009    

This unique volume includes 113 articles on the practical applications of storage systems for everything from vertebrate teeth to ethnic costumes to large fossils. All articles were written and reviewed by professionals in the fields of conservation and collections management. Each article details step-by-step instructions for the construction of support and storage systems for various…