Knowing how best to pack, move, and ship collection objects is a necessary skill for most collection professionals. The following resources were compiled from organizations throughout the nonprofit and museum sector. AAM reviewed and approved each one based on the organization’s authority and expertise and the resource’s usefulness related to the topic. Clicking the links below will take you off the AAM website.

Handling and Shipping Cellulose Nitrate Film

The National Park Service (NPS) offers a Conserve O Gram (PDF) on handling and shipping cellulose nitrate film.

How Do I House Glass Plate Negatives?

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) provides procedures for housing glass plate negatives.

Moving The Museum

The Science Learning Division of the Science Museum of Minnesota undertook the Herculean task of packing and moving the museum’s collections. Download the full published book: Moving the Mountain: the Science Museum of Minnesota’s Guide to Moving Collections.

PACCIN

The Preparation, Art Handling and Collections Care Information Network (PACCIN), shares information about packing, crating, shipping, rigging, storage, installation, mount making, exhibition fabrication, and technical and material updates.

Packing and Shipping Paper Artifacts

The Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) has a technical leaflet on packing and shipping paper artifacts. It reviews shipping options and instructions for flat paper, rolled objects, books, and objects framed under glass.

Packing Museum Objects for Moving

The Arts Council England provides a useful tool to help museum professionals assess and learn how to pack and move museum objects.