Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup.
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1. RE: handheld XRF
2. PCBs Contaminated Artifacts
3. Museum Textile Conservator Position at Paisley Park - Prince Rogers Nelson
Museum
4. Vacancy: Head, Paper Conservation Section
5. Smithsonian/ICOMM-CC Disaster Recovery Online Conference Dec. 2-5
6. RE: 3D printed steel sculpture
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1.From: Nicole van der Sterren
Posted: Monday November 18, 2024 7:10 AM
Subject: RE: handheld XRF
Message:
Dear all,
We are looking into purchasing a handheld XRF and I am a bit concerned now
reading the problems you all have with it. Which handheld XRF do you have?
Nicole van der Sterren
KB-National Library
The Netherlands
------------------------------
Nicole van der Sterren
Paper Conservator
KB, National Library of the Netherlands
Den Haag
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2024 01:20
From: Kathy Hall
Subject: handheld XRF
The X-ray tube on our handheld XRF (purchased 2019) recently failed. We were
quoted EUR 18,000 to replace the tube and the sensor.
------------------------------
Kathy Hall
Senior Conservator
INSTAP Study Center for East Crete
Crete
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-12-2024 09:39
From: Craig Kennedy
Subject: handheld XRF
Katharina,
I have owned two of these devices. The first one I bought around 2010 and had
for 6 years with no issue - it was then sold when I left my last employer. I
bought a new machine of the same model in 2021 (3 years ago) and its X-ray tube
failed in the summer. Including tax this cost around 8000 GBP to repair. Very
disheartening!
Craig
------------------------------
Craig Kennedy
Associate Professor
Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh
Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2024 10:48
From: Katharina Schmidt-Ott
Subject: handheld XRF
Dear All,
Thank you very much for the numerous responses to our inquiry about the
handheld XRF.
It does indeed appear that our device is in need of major repairs at an
unpleasantly early stage. As we are still in clarification with the
manufacturer, I am unfortunately unable to provide any device details at the
moment.
Thank you for your understanding. Best regards,
Katharina
------------------------------
Katharina Schmidt-Ott
Head of conservation research
Swiss National Museum, Collection Centre
Affoltern am Albis
Original Message:
Sent: 10-28-2024 18:41
From: Laura Mirebeau
Subject: handheld XRF
Dear Katharina,
What a bummer. We're doing some XRF market research here at the National
Library of New Zealand, we're hoping to purchase a portable XRF soon. The sales
representatives we've been talking to (Bruker, Hitachi, Evident) all have said
that tubes should have a pretty good life expectancy (I have in mind about 10
years, but cannot find any notes about that, so wouldn't want to make it up).
Replacing the tube is quite expensive, around the $10,000 mark (NZD). Would you
mind sharing which analyser you have?
All the best,
Laura Mirebeau
------------------------------
Laura Mirebeau
Book and Paper Conservator
National Library of New Zealand
Wellington
Original Message:
Sent: 10-24-2024 06:29
From: Katharina Schmidt-Ott
Subject: handheld XRF
Dear Community,
in our conservation research lab we have a portable XRF-device whose X-ray tube
unfortunately has broken after only 4 years.
We would be interested to hear if anybody else with a portable device has
encountered the same problem and if so, after how many years.
If not, how long have your machines been in function?
Thank you very much for your feedback,
Katharina Schmidt-Ott
------------------------------
Katharina Schmidt-Ott
Head of conservation research
Swiss National Museum, Collection Centre
Affoltern am Albis
------------------------------
2.From: Katherine Ridgway
Posted: Monday November 18, 2024 10:29 AM
Subject: PCBs Contaminated Artifacts
Message:
Hello All,
I have had an inquiry about archaeological artifacts recovered from a site
contaminated with PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) which we know can be harmful
to human health and the environment. They also persist in soil. These
artifacts have been wash with tap water and subsequently bagged. The questions
are: Is there a way to determine if they are contaminated and the amount of
PCBs that might still be present? Will these artifacts still be harmful to
humans? If they are still contaminated, is there a way to remove the
contaminate without damaging the artifacts?
Many thanks for any advice!
Kate
<https://www.facebook.com/VADHR/> <https://www.instagram.com/vadhr_shpo/>
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/vadhr/> <https://twitter.com/VaDHR_SHPO>
Katherine Ridgway
State Archaeological Conservator
Department of Historic Resources
Email [email protected] <[email protected]>
Phone 804-482-6442
2801 Kensington Ave, Richmond, VA 23221
www.dhr.virginia.gov <http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/>
3.From: Makayla Elder
Posted: Monday November 18, 2024 3:24 PM
Subject: Museum Textile Conservator Position at Paisley Park - Prince Rogers
Nelson Museum
Message:
Are you passionate about the music industry? Do you love fashion, culture, and
history? Do you work in the museum field but want to work in an exciting and
dynamic environment?
Become a Textile Conservator in the Museum Collections Department for Paisley
Park, where art, music, fashion, culture, and history are celebrated,
energized, and inspired by the visionary creative spirit of Prince. This is a
full-time position located within the Collections Department overseeing the
proper care, conservation, and preservation of Paisley Park's Textile
Collection.
Medical, dental, vision, pet insurance, 401K with match, HSA, complimentary
tour tickets, employee discounts, and more.
Responsibilities
The key responsibilities of the Textile Conservator include:
Efficiently run conservation work area, including defining protocols and
procedures
Coordinate conservation training for collections and museum staff as needed
Develop, research, lead, and implement conservation plans
Be able to identify and instruct on conservational goals
Identify and perform daily conservation tasks
Carry out stabilization and treatments for various textile mediums of a diverse
collection for storage and exhibit
Create conservational reports and collection rotation check procedures
Ability to work with and dress textiles on custom mannequins
Advise on advancements for long-term preservation of the textiles in storage
and exhibition pertaining to sustainability
Advise on the preservation of artifacts in storage and exhibition
Advise on and track environmental monitoring in multiple storage conditions
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
The key qualifications of the Textile Conservator include:
At least a Master's degree in Textile Conservation
Previous experience as a conservator in a museum setting
Excellent general conservation knowledge of a variety of mediums
Experience in the physical handling of a variety of textile materials
Knowledge of the effects of environmental conditions on materials and objects
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Excellent attention to detail
Experience working with a team and independently - the ability to develop
effective working relationships
Must be able to work under pressure of deadlines and competing needs
Must have a Driver's License and own a vehicle
Other duties as assigned
Some knowledge of Prince is helpful but not required
Compensation & Working Hours
This full-time hourly position is for $24-$26/hr., Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM to
5:00 PM, working hours, including some weekends, evenings, holidays, and
overtime as required based on the event schedule. Mandatory staffing for the
Prince Celebration event in June.
Physical Requirements
The primary physical requirements of the Museum Conservator include:
Must be able to sit/stand for long periods of time
Must be comfortable moving and lifting collection storage boxes
Ability to work with your hands
Excellent eyesight or vision correction
Must be able to dress and work with mannequins
Ability to lift at least 25 lbs.
Ability to transport mannequins from the work area to the exhibition space
Note: As Prince was a pescatarian, Paisley Park is a pescatarian food
environment. Eggs, fish, and cheese are fine; beef, pork, chicken, and other
meats can be eaten in your car, or you may take meals off-site.
Chanhassen, MN, USA, Hourly, Full-Time
------------------------------
Makayla Elder
Museum Collection Manager
Paisley Park
Chanhassen MN
------------------------------
4.From: Elmer Eusman
Posted: Monday November 18, 2024 3:26 PM
Subject: Vacancy: Head, Paper Conservation Section
Message: Head, Paper Conservation Section
Library of Congress, Washington, DC
(Vacancy#: VAR002940)
Closing Date: 12/13/2024
Grade: GS-13
Salary: $117,962.00 to $153,354.00 (includes Washington, DC locality pay)
Responsibilities
With the impending retirement of the current Section Head, the Library of
Congress is seeking to fill the Head, Paper Conservation Section position by
April 2025. Some overlap of the current and new Section Head may be possible,
to provide guidance and a smooth transition. This position is located in the
Conservation Division and oversees all work related to the assessment,
conservation treatment, and preservation housing of artifacts on paper and
other substrates in the Library's special collections. Reporting to the Chief
of the Conservation Division, the Section Head works closely with all custodial
divisional representatives to develop, establish, coordinate, and carry out a
comprehensive, Library-wide conservation program appropriate to the
collections' needs. In addition, the incumbent oversees the team responsible
for the preparation of collection items for exhibitions and loans and
coordinates the division's longstanding intern program.
The Section Head manages and supervises staff at grade levels GS-09 through
GS-12 and provides administrative and technical supervision needed for
accomplishing the section's work; performs administrative and human resources
management tasks related to the staff supervised; and establishes guidelines
and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through
the formal employee performance management system and ongoing informal
discussions throughout the year.
When applying, you will notice that the job series defined for this position is
Librarian. However, please note that there are no Library or Information
Science education requirements associated with this position. We are seeking
candidates with strong backgrounds in paper conservation, well-developed
planning abilities, and outstanding communication skills. The successful
candidate would be leading an exceptional team of nine experienced Conservators
and Preservation Specialists and be a critical part of the Conservation
Division management team with four other Section Heads and the Division Chief.
If you are excited about working with the Library's extraordinary collections
in an institutional environment where the conservation program is
well-supported, we encourage you to apply:
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/819124100 <https://www.usajobs.gov/job/819124100>
I encourage you to contact me at [email protected] <[email protected]> for any questions
you might have about the position or the application process.
Elmer Eusman
Chief, Conservation Division
Library of Congress
------------------------------
Elmer Eusman
Chief of the Conservation Division
Library of Congress
Baltimore MD
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5.From: Tiffani Emig
Posted: Monday November 18, 2024 7:31 PM
Subject: Smithsonian/ICOMM-CC Disaster Recovery Online Conference Dec. 2-5
Message:
DECEMBER 2–5, 2024, ONLINE CONFERENCE, FREE PARTICIPATION, REGISTRATION
REQUIRED
What are the risks for objects in our collections? What can we do to protect
them before, during and after disaster strikes? This international conference
will look into preparation, response, training, research and networks to
address and mitigate the effect of disasters on cultural heritage.
For the conference program and registration information, visit
https://ncp.si.edu/disaster-risk-management-cultural-heritage
<https://ncp.si.edu/disaster-risk-management-cultural-heritage>.
------------------------------
Tiffani Emig
Deputy Director
American Institute for Conservation and Foundation for Advancement in
Conservation
Washington DC
[email protected]
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6.From: Carmen Kramer
Posted: Monday November 18, 2024 7:31 PM
Subject: RE: 3D printed steel sculpture
Message:
Hello,
I do archival 3D printing, but I have not used metal, only certain polys ( as
well as custom archival quality boxes :)) . I have a friend who is a master
metal sculptor in the Finger Lakes of New York where CMI used to be located. I
asked him to weigh in and he said the following: "I would treat it identical
to normal steel sculpture. It will rust and naturally patina if outside unless
treated. I would also assume it will be much weaker than normal fabricated
sculptures as it will very thin and lightweight. Some element of structural
strength may even need to be added to help the works be supported. ? I use A36
standard mild steel. I use A588 Corten weathering steel. Both will rust
outside. If stainless steel is an option 304 is food grade, but will oxidize in
salty environments. 316 is a higher grade stainless that will not rust."
This is from Sam Castner in the Finger Lakes of NY. He is on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/sam.castner/photos I hope this helps :) Carmen
Kramer, CMI MicroClimates, Inc. https://www.archivalboxes.com/
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Carmen Kramer
President
Custom Manufacturing, Inc.
Inverness FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2024 16:16
From: Martha Singer
Subject: 3D printed steel sculpture
Dear Colleagues:
(Sorry for cross-posting)
A Norwegian colleague asked if anyone has experience with 3D Printed outdoor
sculpture in steel? Any "dos" or "don'ts" (things to be avoided) for the
request of printing, caring for the surface, etc. There are a range of alloys
that can be printed. If you have experience--could you specify which alloy you
are now caring for?
Many thanks, Martha
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Martha Singer
Chief Conservator
West Orange NJ
(973) 325-0088
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