QMF_ANTENNA_JUNE_2017_INTERNALS_6_WEB

Caring for our collections
Queensland Museum Network is the keeping place of the
State’s natural and cultural heritage, caring for more than
a million items and specimens in collections that tell the
changing story of Queensland. As you can imagine, one of
the biggest challenges we face as part of this very important
role is the issue of storage space.
A Strategic Review of Queensland Museum’s collection storage was
conducted in 2013 – identifying several areas of collection care that
needed improvement, and making recommendations on how to
address these issues. In 2016, Arts Queensland generously agreed
to provide funding of $2.3 million dollars over three years to action
the recommendations within the report.
Lisa Porter, Head of Collection Services, is overseeing the upgrade,
which began in October last year. We asked Lisa some questions
about this important project.
What were some of the issues identified in the Strategic Review?
Some of the key issues raised were overcrowding and lack of
sufficient storage space for future collection growth; access issues
impacting on audit processes, research, visitor and community
experiences; and the need to store objects from different cultural
groups together, which was impacting on community interactions
with the material.
What was the best way to go about addressing these concerns?
The recommendations focused on improving storage systems and
access to increase available space by replacing static with mobile
systems, and removing old shelving to replace with purpose built
compactus and lockable cabinets. The report also recommended
improving storage methods by boxing small items to allow
objects to be safely stacked (such as spears and spear throwers);
and rehousing and relocating large and heavy collection items
(such as canoes, fish traps, and headdresses) to lower shelves
to make access safer and easier.
What were the main steps or stages involved in the project?
The upgrade of the anthropology collection is the first and biggest
part of the project, and will be finished by October 2017. We first
had to move objects to a designated holding area (on level four
of Queensland Museum) whilst the storage upgrade work was
completed. This holding area is where the objects are assessed
and rehoused, and is fitted with “viewing windows” through which
curious members of the public can have a peek at some of the work
that goes on with storing and rehousing objects.
We have enlisted the help of a contractor from Melbourne who
has been managing the rehousing of high priority, large, or fragile
objects; ordering the custom made boxes, drawers, stillages and
crates; and teaching staff how to assemble these and create the
necessary supports for the objects.
Following this major stage of the project we will move on to the
specimens in the wet (alcohol) stores in the Biodiversity section
on level six, where we will be installing a new compactus storage
system. This presents more of a challenge as there won’t be a
designated holding area, so specimens will need to be moved to
mobile trolleys as needed whilst the work is completed. We will be
moving through the collections at Queensland Museum and all
areas will receive upgrades of varying scales.
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