Introduction (2 of 8)
Why is it important to handle museum objects differently? (continued)
Museum objects need handling for a number of different reasons, outlined below:
- They may need to be cleaned
- They may need to be moved from storage to be put on display – either in the museum or institution, or while on loan to another museum or institution
- They may need to be moved from display back into storage
- They may need to be studied for research
However, museum objects should only be handled when absolutely necessary. So it is preferable to take a person (e.g. a researcher) to an object, rather than the object to the person. Always ask yourself “does this object really need to be moved?”, as there may be an alternative solution. Furthermore, you should avoid moving the object more than once (“double handling”) whenever possible.
If it is necessary to move or handle an object then this should be well planned and carried out with the correct equipment. Many objects appear to be more robust than they actually are, and inappropriate handling or moving can cause lasting damage. A little forward planning will reduce the risk of this happening.
