RE-ORG Crowdsourcing Project Launch

“We re-used large wooden crates. We fixed secured chains on the crates to hang the masks. Now it is off the floor, so we will no longer risk stepping on them.”
“We re-used large wooden crates. We fixed secured chains on the crates to hang the masks. Now it is off the floor, so we will no longer risk stepping on them.”

Collection Storage Tips and Tricks – “#reorgtips”
RE-ORG International is an initiative to assist small museums, libraries and archives reorganize their collections in storage for better access and long-term conservation. RE-ORG encourages the reuse and re-purposing of existing equipment and space. Ideas are out there; sometimes all you need is a little inspiration.
If you work with collections show us your tips and tricks!
Storing collections is not a simple task, and you know first-hand the challenge of having to strike a balance between conservation, institutional and financial concerns. Storage solutions must adapt to the needs of the object but at the same time optimize space usage and costs.
“We adapted a shelving unit to store our collection of oars and spears. We are able to use up less shelf space than before. We gain more room for other objects.”
“We adapted a shelving unit to store our collection of oars and spears. We are able to use up less shelf space than before. We gain more room for other objects.”

The good news is that it is often possible to repurpose or adapt already-existing equipment or materials, making sensible use of resources.
Many museums – through the years and at present – have found many inventive solutions:
ICCROM and the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) want to hear about all of them. Be part of a global solution!
Send us one or two photos of your storage solution with a short descriptive sentence that tells us:

  • The type of object
  • The materials used or re-used to create your storage solution
  • Why this system is better than before

There are several options for sharing your photos:

"We created compartments in a box with cardboard folded in zigzags. Now we can take each pen easily. Also, they don't rubbing against each other"
“We created compartments in a box with cardboard folded in zigzags. Now we can take each pen easily. Also, they don’t rubbing against each other”

You have until 31 January 2016 to send us your submission. The results will be posted on a Tumblr blog and hosted on the ICCROM website.
Important notice: By sending your images, you acknowledge that they are yours and that you have the permission to send them, but that you’re willing share them under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence.