Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation 2. Easel Paintings Conservator position at Plowden & Smith, London 3. Practical conservation courses in natural sciences 4. RE: Quarantine process for new acquisitions 5. RE: Quarantine process for new acquisitions 6. Reminder for the second webinar in "Monitoring the Matters"! 7. RE: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation 8. RE: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation 9. 2026 Annual Meeting & Conference - Architecture Specialty Group Events 10. REGISTER NOW: PRESERVATION WEEK WEBINARS FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Sara Leonowitz Becker Posted: Thursday April 16, 2026 8:26 AM Subject: RE: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation Message: Hi Thomas, How exciting for your daughter! Getting an early start on pre-requisites for graduate programs is always a good idea. Since she is in high school, she may have some interesting options open to her. One idea, if this is available at her high school, would be to take an AP chemistry or art course. This isn't strictly necessary since she can take these courses in college, but it would certainly save some money to take these courses in high school. I am a graduate of the University of Delaware's undergraduate program <https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/art-conservation/undergraduate-programs/> in art conservation (and later attended West Dean for my Master's), and I cannot speak UD's praises highly enough. The educators there are wonderful and the curriculum helps students chip away at the entry requirements (studio art, art history, chemistry, second language, etc.) for graduate programs. If your daughter already has a strong inclination that this is the path she wants to pursue, I HIGHLY recommend she consider this undergraduate program. As far as preparing a portfolio goes, she has time to build this up before she needs to present one for graduate programs but for right now, honing a hand skill (bookbinding, sewing, jewelry-making, get creative!) is always a good idea. Another idea would be to reach out to local museums, art galleries, archives to see if she could do a part-time internship or shadow someone who works with collections. It would not necessarily even need to be doing conservation, but having collection-based work on a resume at her age would help her go far. I hope this is helpful, and I wish your daughter luck and happiness in conservation!! ------------------------------ Sara Becker Post-Graduate Fellow in Book & Paper Conservation National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center United States ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 04-15-2026 15:28 From: Thomas Thompson Subject: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation Hello, my daughter is a junior in high school and is interested in art restoration/conservation as a career. She loves chemistry and art and feels that this is a good field to combine the two. We have found numerous Master's programs and one-off classes on specific subjects. What would be the best course of action for her during her senior year to best prepare a portfolio, if needed, and what schools have programs that would allow her to advance her knowledge in these subjects? Thank you for any guidance and direction you can provide in advance. Have a great day. ------------------------------ T. Thompson Flat Rock United States ------------------------------ 2.From: Andriani Maimaridou Posted: Thursday April 16, 2026 8:27 AM Subject: Easel Paintings Conservator position at Plowden & Smith, London Message: Job Opportunity: Easel Paintings Conservator (Permanent, Full Time) Plowden & Smith is seeking an Easel Paintings Conservator to join our team in Mitcham, South London. We are particularly keen to hear from conservators with 2-5 years post qualification experience, working across traditional and modern paintings. This permanent, full-time role involves studio and on-site treatment, condition reporting, and close collaboration with conservation and client services teams. Salary: £32,500 - £35,500, depending on experience. Closing date: 15 May 2026 Start date: 29 June 2026 Please note that you must have the right to live and work in the UK. We cannot support any individual in applying for a visa. To apply for this position please submit a CV, Portfolio, and cover letter (max. 250 words) to [email protected] and include Easel Paintings Conservator in the subject line. For the job description see attachment or visit our website <https://plowden-smith.com/about/careers/>https://plowden-smith.com/about/careers/ <https://plowden-smith.com/about/careers/> ------------------------------ Andriani Maimaridou Conservation Manager Plowden & Smith, Ltd. Mitcham United Kingdom ------------------------------ 3.From: Simon Moore Posted: Thursday April 16, 2026 8:28 AM Subject: Practical conservation courses in natural sciences Message: Places for three southern UK-based courses in conserving and part restoring natural science specimens are offered later this year. 1 Fluid preservation - 4 days of lectures and practical work at Sparsholt Agricultural College (near Winchester) with venue all-in accommodation offered: 24th to 27th of August 2026. 2 Taxidermy conservation - 3 days at Whitchurch historic Silk Mill: 28th to 30th of September. 3 Pinned insect conservation to test your dexterity skills - 2 days at Whitchurch historic Silk Mill, back-to-back with the above course: 1st to 2nd of October, 2026 For further details, contact Simon Moore (tutor) at [email protected] With all good wishes, Simon Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian. www.natural-history-conservation.com 4.From: Rebecca Grethe Posted: Thursday April 16, 2026 8:28 AM Subject: RE: Quarantine process for new acquisitions Message: Hi Ellen, if it doesn't have to be a clear, see-through material, I can recommend aluminium boxes (Zarges). They are very airtight, my colleague tested them in our nitrogen-chamber and found that the leakage is minimal. Of course, they aren't very cheap, but can be used for a very long time. ------------------------------ Rebecca Grethe Conservator for Archaeological objects Landesmuseum Hannover Hannover Germany ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 04-13-2026 05:06 From: Ellen Dutton Subject: Quarantine process for new acquisitions Dear Colleagues, In Cultural Collections at the University of Leeds, we have frequent new acquisitions which we quarantine for four weeks before they can be catalogued and taken into our stores. We usually bag the boxes things arrive in, with the lids off, and place a pest trap on the contents of the boxes. The box is then secured in a large polythene bag and taped shut with parcel tape, but this creates quite a lot of waste with the tape being thrown away once used. After a few uses, the bags also start to get a bit torn and can easily get holes in. We looked at using Really Useful Boxes as an alternative because these are very sturdy, have strong clasps, and we have loads of them already, but unfortunately the lids aren't airtight. We were wondering what other people might use for this scenario - is there a way that people have adapted RUBs? Is there a different type of airtight box which has been used that anyone can recommend? Should we stick with using bags and parcel tape as this can be more flexible, even though it produces more waste?Any suggestions would be much appreciated!Many thanks ------------------------------ Ellen Dutton Conservation Technician Leeds University Library Cultural Collections and Galleries ------------------------------ 5.From: Monika Harter Posted: Thursday April 16, 2026 8:28 AM Subject: RE: Quarantine process for new acquisitions Message: Hello Ellen, We use these boxes to quarantine smaller objects and also to store cut-offs of packaging materials: https://clickbox.de/en/products/waterproof-boxes/iris-all-weather-box/4179624/iris-all-weather-box-70-litre-transparent They are avalable in a range of of sizes. Prior to using them we placed Oddy Test coupons inside an empty box for about three months (at room temperature) and didn't see any change in the coupons. Best wishes ------------------------------ Monika Harter Head of Conservation Landesmuseum Württemberg Stuttgart Germany ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 04-14-2026 07:47 From: Andrew Calver Subject: Quarantine process for new acquisitions Hi, I've used these in the past and they have a reasonably low air exchange rate from what I remember when I tested them. Certainly better than really useful boxes which are very leaky https://www.solentplastics.co.uk/airtight-plastic-storage-boxes-and-trunks/ ------------------------------ Andrew Calver Consultant Manningtree United Kingdom ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 04-13-2026 05:06 From: Ellen Dutton Subject: Quarantine process for new acquisitions Dear Colleagues, In Cultural Collections at the University of Leeds, we have frequent new acquisitions which we quarantine for four weeks before they can be catalogued and taken into our stores. We usually bag the boxes things arrive in, with the lids off, and place a pest trap on the contents of the boxes. The box is then secured in a large polythene bag and taped shut with parcel tape, but this creates quite a lot of waste with the tape being thrown away once used. After a few uses, the bags also start to get a bit torn and can easily get holes in. We looked at using Really Useful Boxes as an alternative because these are very sturdy, have strong clasps, and we have loads of them already, but unfortunately the lids aren't airtight. We were wondering what other people might use for this scenario - is there a way that people have adapted RUBs? Is there a different type of airtight box which has been used that anyone can recommend? Should we stick with using bags and parcel tape as this can be more flexible, even though it produces more waste?Any suggestions would be much appreciated!Many thanks ------------------------------ Ellen Dutton Conservation Technician Leeds University Library Cultural Collections and Galleries ------------------------------ 6.From: M. Susan Barger Posted: Thursday April 16, 2026 8:28 AM Subject: Reminder for the second webinar in "Monitoring the Matters"! Message: Join us for the second webinar in the FREE joint course from C2C Care and Conserve Monitoring that Matters! This webinar, "From Observation to Action: The "HOW" of Environmental Monitoring" will be presented by Maddie Cooper, Owner and Principal Conservator of M.C. Conservation Services on April 22, 2026, 1:00-2:00pm ET Register here: <https://connectingtocollections.org/event/c2c-care-course-monitoring-what-matters-part-2/> https://connectingtocollections.org/event/c2c-care-course-monitoring-what-matters-part-2/ <https://connectingtocollections.org/event/c2c-care-course-monitoring-what-matters-part-2/> We look forward to seeing you! ------------------------------ M. Susan Barger, PhD [email protected] Santa Fe NM ------------------------------ 7.From: Craig Deller Posted: Thursday April 16, 2026 10:25 AM Subject: RE: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation Message: Hello Thomas, You and your daughter may find these videos on the subject: "What is Art Conservation?" They will explain quite a bit https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6fEz_5kjkGbafp-EBjO_uTVcveiluB-M&si=tgwULvTihWgCHMz4 <https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6fEz_5kjkGbafp-EBjO_uTVcveiluB-M&si=tgwULvTihWgCHMz4> ------------------------------ Craig Deller FAIC FIIC ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 04-16-2026 08:17 From: Sara Leonowitz Becker Subject: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation Hi Thomas, How exciting for your daughter! Getting an early start on pre-requisites for graduate programs is always a good idea. Since she is in high school, she may have some interesting options open to her. One idea, if this is available at her high school, would be to take an AP chemistry or art course. This isn't strictly necessary since she can take these courses in college, but it would certainly save some money to take these courses in high school. I am a graduate of the University of Delaware's undergraduate program <https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/art-conservation/undergraduate-programs/> in art conservation (and later attended West Dean for my Master's), and I cannot speak UD's praises highly enough. The educators there are wonderful and the curriculum helps students chip away at the entry requirements (studio art, art history, chemistry, second language, etc.) for graduate programs. If your daughter already has a strong inclination that this is the path she wants to pursue, I HIGHLY recommend she consider this undergraduate program. As far as preparing a portfolio goes, she has time to build this up before she needs to present one for graduate programs but for right now, honing a hand skill (bookbinding, sewing, jewelry-making, get creative!) is always a good idea. Another idea would be to reach out to local museums, art galleries, archives to see if she could do a part-time internship or shadow someone who works with collections. It would not necessarily even need to be doing conservation, but having collection-based work on a resume at her age would help her go far. I hope this is helpful, and I wish your daughter luck and happiness in conservation!! ------------------------------ Sara Becker Post-Graduate Fellow in Book & Paper Conservation National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center United States ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 04-15-2026 15:28 From: Thomas Thompson Subject: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation Hello, my daughter is a junior in high school and is interested in art restoration/conservation as a career. She loves chemistry and art and feels that this is a good field to combine the two. We have found numerous Master's programs and one-off classes on specific subjects. What would be the best course of action for her during her senior year to best prepare a portfolio, if needed, and what schools have programs that would allow her to advance her knowledge in these subjects? Thank you for any guidance and direction you can provide in advance. Have a great day. ------------------------------ T. Thompson Flat Rock United States ------------------------------ 8.From: Thomas Thompson Posted: Thursday April 16, 2026 1:39 PM Subject: RE: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation Message: Thank you for this information we will check it out. ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 4/16/2026 8:43:00 AM From: Craig Deller Subject: RE: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation Hello Thomas, You and your daughter may find these videos on the subject: "What is Art Conservation?" They will explain quite a bit https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6fEz_5kjkGbafp-EBjO_uTVcveiluB-M&si=tgwULvTihWgCHMz4 <https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6fEz_5kjkGbafp-EBjO_uTVcveiluB-M&si=tgwULvTihWgCHMz4> ------------------------------ Craig Deller FAIC FIIC ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 04-16-2026 08:17 From: Sara Leonowitz Becker Subject: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation Hi Thomas, How exciting for your daughter! Getting an early start on pre-requisites for graduate programs is always a good idea. Since she is in high school, she may have some interesting options open to her. One idea, if this is available at her high school, would be to take an AP chemistry or art course. This isn't strictly necessary since she can take these courses in college, but it would certainly save some money to take these courses in high school. I am a graduate of the University of Delaware's undergraduate program <https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/art-conservation/undergraduate-programs/> in art conservation (and later attended West Dean for my Master's), and I cannot speak UD's praises highly enough. The educators there are wonderful and the curriculum helps students chip away at the entry requirements (studio art, art history, chemistry, second language, etc.) for graduate programs. If your daughter already has a strong inclination that this is the path she wants to pursue, I HIGHLY recommend she consider this undergraduate program. As far as preparing a portfolio goes, she has time to build this up before she needs to present one for graduate programs but for right now, honing a hand skill (bookbinding, sewing, jewelry-making, get creative!) is always a good idea. Another idea would be to reach out to local museums, art galleries, archives to see if she could do a part-time internship or shadow someone who works with collections. It would not necessarily even need to be doing conservation, but having collection-based work on a resume at her age would help her go far. I hope this is helpful, and I wish your daughter luck and happiness in conservation!! ------------------------------ Sara Becker Post-Graduate Fellow in Book & Paper Conservation National Park Service, Harpers Ferry Center United States ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 04-15-2026 15:28 From: Thomas Thompson Subject: Best Undergraduate Major for Conservation Hello, my daughter is a junior in high school and is interested in art restoration/conservation as a career. She loves chemistry and art and feels that this is a good field to combine the two. We have found numerous Master's programs and one-off classes on specific subjects. What would be the best course of action for her during her senior year to best prepare a portfolio, if needed, and what schools have programs that would allow her to advance her knowledge in these subjects? Thank you for any guidance and direction you can provide in advance. Have a great day. ------------------------------ T. Thompson Flat Rock United States ------------------------------ 9.From: Tania Alam Posted: Thursday April 16, 2026 8:41 PM Subject: 2026 Annual Meeting & Conference - Architecture Specialty Group Events Message: Hello everyone! The 2026 Annual Meeting & Conference is less than 2 weeks away! We look forward to welcoming everyone who plans to attend either in person or virtually. I wanted to remind our attendees of the events that the Architecture Specialty Group (ASG) is part of at this year's joint conference. Wednesday, 29 April 2026, 12:30-3:30 pm, Room 520CF, Palais des congrès de Montréal. Revisiting the New Orleans Charter: Charting the Future of Buildings, Collections, and Communities <https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/75903/program?session=199260&date=%222026-4-29%22> This will be a working session (which, I am happy to say, is SOLD OUT) moderated by Hetor J. Berddeia-Hernandez and Lisa Goldberg. The session will have participants work on some of the themes that were identified at last year's luncheon discussion on the New Orleans Charter (NOC). We plan to use the results of this session to produce an updated draft of the NOC and present it to the APTI committee. The goal is to finalize changes to the document and make it available to all conservation and related professionals for future reference. Saturday, 2 May 2026, 10:30 am-12:00 pm, Room 524CF, Palais des congrès de Montréal. To Sample or Not to Sample: Navigating Ethics, Context, and Scientific Needs in Conservation <https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/75903/program?session=199293&date=%222026-5-2%22> This concurrent session has been curated jointly by ASG and RATS. It will exhibit four presentations exploring the many dimensions of the dilemma that conservation professionals face when selecting study methods. The talks will weigh on the value of non-invasive techniques against the need for micro-sampling. The session invites participants to engage in dialogue across specialties about how we choose, justify, and communicate technical approaches around sampling of an object. And FINALLY on Saturday, 2 May 2026, 2:00-3:20 pm and 4:00-5:00 pm, Room 520AD, Palais des congrès de Montréal. Architecture Specialty Group Session (Sponsored by CANY) <https://virtual.oxfordabstracts.com/event/75903/program?session=199284&date=%222026-5-2%22> This year, we have lined up seven presentations grouped into two separate themes. The first half will have four talks that will engage with the themes of collaboration among different professionals, architectural/cultural preservation, and distemper paints. And the second half of the session will have presentations that will focus on murals: conservation, challenges, and treatment protocols. ASG is also participating in and encourages all ASG members attending the conference in person to join their peers for a Happy Hour at the Musée des Beaux-arts de Montréal between 7:00 and 8:00 pm, right before the Opening Reception. If you haven't done so already, please add the Specialty Group Happy Hour to your registration by modifying your existing registration here <https://www.culturalheritage.org/events/annual-meeting/current-meeting/register>, Hope to see all at the 54th Annual AIC Meeting, joint with CAC-ACCR. ------------------------------ Tania Alam ASG Program Chair Architectural Conservator | Assistant Project Manager 2 Consulting Associates of New York (CANY) United States ------------------------------ 10.From: Amelia Parks Posted: Thursday April 16, 2026 8:41 PM Subject: REGISTER NOW: PRESERVATION WEEK WEBINARS FROM THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Message: The Library of Congress, Preservation Directorate, is hosting five webinars for Preservation Week starting April 27. Monday through Friday, we will be presenting webinars every day at 11 am (EDT). Registration links can be found below. The Reel Library: Microfilm Collections at the Library of Congress Speaker: Greg Cooper, Head of Business Operations Support Section Monday, April 27, 11 am EDT. Register Here! <https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/6017761071603/WN_Epkfmk3SQKW3cHxyKtMMfg> Although the Library has shifted toward digital copies of periodicals, microfilm's chapter at the Library of Congress is far from closed. The Library no longer produces microfilm but we still receive it from overseas offices and in some cases microfilm may be the only copy of important material at the Library. We have over one million reels of microfilm in our collections, and researchers continue to make requests every day. The Preservation Services Division ensures that patrons to the Library can continue to use the vast and diverse microfilm collection. Microfilm digitization makes these collections even more accessible, and its peculiarities, such as tape marks, targets, and fingerprints of employees remain in its digitized version. These traces of the employees who worked tirelessly to create microfilm remind us of the human side of preservation and library work. It is fitting that they have left their mark on the pages of history. Offsite Collection Retrieval Speaker: Matt Martin, Chief of the Collection Management Division Tuesday, April 28, 11 am EDT Register Here! <https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/1117761070725/WN_80MTGh_XSqufi9UkxQ_5sQ> Last year, the Collections Management Division retrieved 54,770 individual items from its offsite facilities for patrons on Capitol Hill. Typically requests placed before 11am are delivered the same day and all other requests are delivered the next business day. The focus of this presentation will be on processes and procedures including the systems, staffing, and equipment used to ensure collections are delivered on time. Surveying Rolled Wall Maps Speakers: Paper Conservator Grace Walters and Carissa Pastuch, Reference Librarian, Geography & Map Division Wednesday, April 29, 11am EDT Register Here! <https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/5917761075462/WN_C6X2s5ZPR2WpDceBCN6JRQ> This presentation will highlight the collaboration between the Conversation Division and Geography and Map Division to complete the Survey Project for Rolled Wall Maps. This multi-year project consisted of evaluating and describing upwards of 230 rolled wall maps and was driven by division-specific objectives. Preservation Science for Recordings On Magnetic Tape Speaker: Andrew Davis, Chemist Thursday, April 30, 11am EDT Register Here! <https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/8317761077825/WN_TY-eFm9tTsaBeXa0tRWABA> The Library of Congress holds a collection of over half a million audio recordings on magnetic tape, and its collection suffers the same physical maladies that are familiar to audiovisual curators worldwide: sticky, shedding, and squealing audio tape materials. These symptoms of deterioration well known, but the possible causes and remedies for degradation still inspire passionate debate. The highly commercialized and mass-produced nature of magnetic tapes presents challenges in preserving these "modern" collections in contrast to singular unique historic objects, as the "same" product line may have inherent variations that affect its stability over time. PRTD has scientifically analyzed a range of degraded tapes to better understand how best to preserve them and enable their continued access. This talk will present scientific analyses related to the physical preservation of magnetic tapes, including topics such as sticky shed, remedial thermal treatments, and cleaning methods that have since been adopted by NAVCC. Demystifying Audiovisual Preservation Speaker: Alison Reppert Gerber, Head of Preservation Services Section Friday, May 1, 11am EDT Register Here! <https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/2717761080463/WN_nTe0Ps_JSdWrI5oV3pOCtg> This webinar will provide a brief overview of preservation management basics for analog audio, video, and film collections. Specific topics will include: identification, care and handling, planning preservation projects, and digitization best practices. ------------------------------ Amelia Parks Preservation Education Librarian Library of Congress (916) 601-7088 ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
