Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: preserving kumkum powder 2. RE: Advice on Housing a Historical Food Object 3. Change Makers Webinar on Exhibitions and Piloting the Bizot Green Protocol - October 14 4. preserving kumkum powder 5. RE: Applications now open: Conservation Guest Scholars Program 2027-2028 6. SHARE-ART – Join the network to support the conservation of modern and contemporary art! 7. Call for Papers for the AIC 2027 Annual Meeting Laser Session 8. IAP Virtual course: Integrated Pest Management for Collections 9. National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) -- 2025 NDSA Staffing Survey Report 10. Film Viewing: People's Emergency Briefing 11. Advice on Housing a Historical Food Object ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Christian Mueller-Straten Posted: Friday September 18, 2026 4:33 AM Subject: RE: preserving kumkum powder Message: Hi Laura, kumkum powder seems to be used for different purposes, on human skin and on books. For books, it seems to me best to forget all recipies for kumkum on skin. To fix it on book, check the following ideas: To apply Kumkum powder permanently and smudge-proof to objects such as books (e.g., for religious symbols or dedications in sacred texts), paper, or textiles, it can be mixed with gum arabic (a natural plant-based binder) or standard liquid craft glue (white glue/PVA glue). Since Kumkum itself is a loose, dry powder made of turmeric and slaked lime, it does not adhere to paper on its own. The choice of binder depends on the intended use: PVA glue (white glue, wood glue), slightly diluted with water so the mixture applies easily with a brush and remains water-resistant and abrasion-resistant once dry. The book with the glossy dust jacket could be treated probably same way under the jacket. Best Christian ------------------------------ [Christian] [Mueller-Straten] [Researcher, Publisher, Art Historian] [Owner] [Verlag Dr. Christian Mueller-Straten] [Munich] [Germany] [0049-89-839 690 43] [https://www.museum-aktuell.de] https://www.museum-aktuell.de/CEO ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-16-2026 20:44 From: Laura Mirebeau Subject: preserving kumkum powder Kia ora koutou – greetings everyone Archives Library New Zealand have recently received a collection of holy scriptures from the Swaminarayan faith. A ceremony was organised as part of the deposit and the scriptures as well as the men present were blessed with the imposition of kumkum. We were told the kumkum used was made from turmeric powder (haldi). My research has led me to understand the red tone of the turmeric powder is obtained by chemical reaction when adding slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) to the turmeric powder. I would be grateful for any additional information about the composition of the kumkum powder and whether any binder (gum, oil?) is traditionally added to the powder ahead of the ceremonial imposition to make it stick. I would also welcome any experience in preserving or conserving the red powder, specifically on books. I would be interested to hear about any consolidation / adhesion attempts or any other methods that would successfully retain the powder on the books. The books in question are all hard covered books, with a variety of surface textures for the boards (more or less porous) and one book has a glossy dust-jacket. Ngā mihi nui – many thanks Laura Mirebeau (she/her <https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.publicservice.govt.nz%2Four-work%2Fdiversity-and-inclusion%2Fpronoun-use-in-email-signatures&data=05%7C02%7CLaura.Mirebeau%40dia.govt.nz%7Ca5e14a8ffe4d4dc8c0c108de32d44898%7Cf659ca5cfc474e96b24d14c95df13acb%7C0%7C0%7C639004084512896969%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FZjnMs%2BOZJdFWexaEMmtX7bQQM2bA4zu7Fprh%2BOilZ0%3D&reserved=0>), Kaitauwhiro Pukapuka me ngā Pepa | Conservator, Books and Paper | <[email protected] <[email protected]>> Archives Library New Zealand 2 Aitken Street, Thorndon, Wellington, New Zealand | http://natlib/govt.nz/ <http://natlib/govt.nz/> | Archives New Zealand <https://www.archives.govt.nz/> Archives Library NZ are part of the Department of Internal Affairs ------------------------------ Laura Mirebeau Book and Paper Conservator National Library of New Zealand Wellington New Zealand ------------------------------ 2.From: Christian Mueller-Straten Posted: Friday September 18, 2026 4:34 AM Subject: RE: Advice on Housing a Historical Food Object Message: Hi Jennifer, please let us know the important reason to preserve a "sugar cookie", the idea behind your posting. Does the cookie prove something? Unhealthy food? A murder? Or is it a work of so-called food art? Or a joke? There are rare reasons to preserve cookies. But in most museum cases, any kind of food is replaced by a durable material (look alikes). The next question would be: what are the specific ingredients of the cookie? Conservators should know that before they start working :-) Best Christian ------------------------------ [Christian] [Mueller-Straten] [Researcher, Publisher, Art Historian] [Owner] [Verlag Dr. Christian Mueller-Straten] [Munich] [Germany] [0049-89-839 690 43] [https://www.museum-aktuell.de] https://www.museum-aktuell.de/CEO ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-17-2026 18:46 From: Jennifer Jouas-Viall Subject: Advice on Housing a Historical Food Object Hello All, I am looking for advice on the long-term housing and storage of a sugar cookie made in 1993, which is currently housed in a shadow box and is being preserved at my institution as a historical object. I am interested in hearing from colleagues who have experience caring for food items in archives, museums, or special collections. I appreciate any recommendations for housing materials and methods that provide physical protection while helping to minimize deterioration and pest activity. One option I am considering is housing the cookie in a shallow steel container with a fitted, potentially lockable, steel lid. Are there any concerns I should consider regarding ventilation, temperature, humidity, off-gassing, or pest activity, as well as the materials appropriate for lining or supporting the cookie within the container? I am also open to alternative housing methods that may better suit its long-term preservation. If you have experience preserving historical food items, I appreciate hearing about your approaches, recommendations, or relevant resources. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! ------------------------------ Jennifer Jouas-Viall Preservation Specialist UC Davis Library ------------------------------ 3.From: adrian hernandez Posted: Thursday September 17, 2026 10:34 AM Subject: Change Makers Webinar on Exhibitions and Piloting the Bizot Green Protocol - October 14 Message: Conversations with Change Makers #12: Exhibitions as Opportunity: Piloting the Bizot Green Protocol Join the AIC Sustainability Committee on October 14, 2026 at 12:00 pm EDT as Laura Lupton, founder of Field Forms, discusses the opportunities exhibitions offer for piloting dynamic environmental control following the BIZOT green protocol. Please register here. <https://learning.culturalheritage.org/products/conversations-with-change-makers-12-exhibitions-as-opportunity-piloting-the-bizot-green-protocol#tab-product_tab_overview> The climate crisis is upon us, and cultural organizations bear a responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The 2023 Bizot green protocol refresh calls for cultural organizations to rethink exhibition and loan practices to reduce GHG emissions. As cultural heritage organizations consider adopting the BIZOT green protocol, exhibitions offer opportunities to pilot updated conditions by thoughtfully strategizing checklists and loan agreements. Lupton has worked with several museums to successfully plan exhibitions that allow for wider temperature and relative humidity set points that are more energy efficient, both saving money and reducing emissions. Organized by the AIC Sustainability Committee, this webinar is the 12th in a series of Conversations with Change Makers, where we address energy use and the environmental impact of the buildings in which cultural heritage is stored, exhibited, and studied. Recordings of previous webinars can be found here: Conversations with Change Makers <https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH0WXCtI2noifARCkF-U15KtaR-tCJAzz>. ------------------------------ adrian hernandez AIC Sustainability Committee Outreach Officer ------------------------------ 4.From: Laura Mirebeau Posted: Thursday September 17, 2026 10:35 AM Subject: preserving kumkum powder Message: Kia ora koutou – greetings everyone Archives Library New Zealand have recently received a collection of holy scriptures from the Swaminarayan faith. A ceremony was organised as part of the deposit and the scriptures as well as the men present were blessed with the imposition of kumkum. We were told the kumkum used was made from turmeric powder (haldi). My research has led me to understand the red tone of the turmeric powder is obtained by chemical reaction when adding slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) to the turmeric powder. I would be grateful for any additional information about the composition of the kumkum powder and whether any binder (gum, oil?) is traditionally added to the powder ahead of the ceremonial imposition to make it stick. I would also welcome any experience in preserving or conserving the red powder, specifically on books. I would be interested to hear about any consolidation / adhesion attempts or any other methods that would successfully retain the powder on the books. The books in question are all hard covered books, with a variety of surface textures for the boards (more or less porous) and one book has a glossy dust-jacket. Ngā mihi nui – many thanks Laura Mirebeau (she/her <https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.publicservice.govt.nz%2Four-work%2Fdiversity-and-inclusion%2Fpronoun-use-in-email-signatures&data=05%7C02%7CLaura.Mirebeau%40dia.govt.nz%7Ca5e14a8ffe4d4dc8c0c108de32d44898%7Cf659ca5cfc474e96b24d14c95df13acb%7C0%7C0%7C639004084512896969%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FZjnMs%2BOZJdFWexaEMmtX7bQQM2bA4zu7Fprh%2BOilZ0%3D&reserved=0>), Kaitauwhiro Pukapuka me ngā Pepa | Conservator, Books and Paper | <[email protected]> Archives Library New Zealand 2 Aitken Street, Thorndon, Wellington, New Zealand | http://natlib/govt.nz/ <http://natlib/govt.nz/> | Archives New Zealand <https://www.archives.govt.nz/> Archives Library NZ are part of the Department of Internal Affairs ------------------------------ Laura Mirebeau Book and Paper Conservator National Library of New Zealand Wellington New Zealand ------------------------------ 5.From: Anna Duer Posted: Thursday September 17, 2026 10:36 AM Subject: RE: Applications now open: Conservation Guest Scholars Program 2027-2028 Message: APPLICATION DEADLINE APPROACHING Applications for the 2027-2028 Conservation Guest Scholars Program are due by 5:00 p.m. Los Angeles time (GMT-7), Thursday, October 1st. TO APPLY: Applications must be submitted through the Getty Foundation Grant Portal. For more information on terms, eligibility, and application materials, visit https://gty.art/GCIScholars <https://gty.art/GCIScholars>. Questions? Contact [email protected] <[email protected]> ------------------------------ Anna Duer Reference Librarian Getty Conservation Institute Los Angeles, CA ------------------------------ 6.From: Francesca Caterina Izzo Posted: Thursday September 17, 2026 10:38 AM Subject: SHARE-ART – Join the network to support the conservation of modern and contemporary art! Message: Do you work in the conservation of modern or contemporary art? Are you interested in connecting with conservators, conservation scientists, researchers, museum professionals, artists, and other specialists working across Europe and beyond? Then you may be interested in SHARE-ART – Sharing Practices for a Sustainable Future in the Conservation of Modern Art (COST Action CA25156). SHARE-ART is a newly funded COST Action aiming to build an interdisciplinary and international network around the conservation of modern and contemporary art. The Action will bring together different professional and disciplinary perspectives to exchange knowledge, share practices, develop common approaches, and strengthen collaboration across institutions and countries. We are especially keen to involve colleagues working on topics such as: conservation and restoration of modern and contemporary artworks conservation science and technical art history materials and technologies used in modern and contemporary art degradation, ageing and monitoring preventive conservation and collection care artist materials and artistic processes documentation, decision-making and conservation strategies sustainability in conservation practice preservation of meaning, identity and authenticity of artworks interdisciplinary and museum-based conservation research Participation is open through the Working Groups, and we warmly encourage colleagues at different career stages and from different professional backgrounds to join. One of the ambitions of SHARE-ART is precisely to create a space where expertise can circulate, new collaborations can emerge, and professionals who may not usually work together can meet around shared conservation challenges. If this sounds relevant to your work, we would be very happy to have you involved. More information about SHARE-ART and how to participate can be found here: https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA25156/ <https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA25156/> And please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues, institutions, students, researchers, conservators, or museum professionals who may be interested. We very much look forward to building this network together. Francesca Caterina Izzo, PhD Associate Professor in Heritage and Conservation Science Director of the Master's Degree in Conservation Science and Technology for Cultural Heritage Ca' Foscari University of Venice Email: [email protected] <[email protected]> ------------------------------ Francesca Caterina Izzo Associate Professor in Conservation Science Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Director of the Master's Programme in Conservation Science and Technology for Cultural Heritage Venice Italy ------------------------------ 7.From: Holly Salmon Posted: Thursday September 17, 2026 1:46 PM Subject: Call for Papers for the AIC 2027 Annual Meeting Laser Session Message: With the abstract deadline for the AIC 2027 Annual Meeting coming up on September 30th, we wanted to highlight the Laser Cleaning Session! We are welcoming presentations on the use of NdYAG or ErYAG lasers for cleaning both inorganic and organic materials. Focusing on the meeting theme Community Trust: Centering Work in Progress and New Technologies, we are especially interested in talks that include scientific analysis of laser cleaning results, comparing other cleaning methods to laser cleaning, or the surprises of when lasers did - or didn't! - work for a particular cleaning problem. Please refer to the Annual Meeting general call for submissions webpage <https://www.culturalheritage.org/events/annual-meeting/current-meeting/call-for-submissions> for more information on how to submit your abstract. ------------------------------ Holly Salmon John L. and Susan K. Gardner Director of Conservation Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Boston United States ------------------------------ 8.From: James Black Posted: Thursday September 17, 2026 1:46 PM Subject: IAP Virtual course: Integrated Pest Management for Collections Message: Integrated Pest Management for Collections Date/Time: 13 & 14 Oct, 9am - 12pm BST Tutors: David Pinniger and Jane Thompson Webb Price: £145.00 You can register on Humanitix <https://events.humanitix.com/integrated-pest-management-for-collections-1314> or contact us by email to pay by bank transfer <[email protected]> This two-session virtual course (spread over 2 days at 9am BST until approx. 12pm BST each day) will discuss Integrated Pest Management, Trapping and Monitoring, and how to control Insect Pests. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme can only be effective if there is an understanding of which insects are present and whether pest numbers are stable, increasing or decreasing. Pests can attack a wide range of materials including ethnographic, social history, textiles, furniture, paper, books and taxidermy. The course will cover: 1/ The pests What they need to live How to identify the main species Recognising the damage different pests can cause Understanding ways to prevent pests becoming established. 2/ The importance of understanding pest environments and the need to monitor temperature and humidity. 3/ Monitoring for pests using traps. 4/ Selecting the most appropriate treatments to control pests. 5/ Making plans to establish an IPM programme. 6/ Examining available resources to help with IPM. The course is aimed at anyone with any involvement with, or responsibility for, care of collections. David Pinniger is an entomologist and international pest management consultant. He has worked with IAP in offering short courses on IPM and Insect Identification since 1984. Jane Thompson Webb is the Conservation Team Leader at Birmingham Museums Trust and chairs the ICON Care of Collections Group. ------------------------------ James Black Co-ordinator International Academic Projects London www.academicprojects.co.uk ------------------------------ 9.From: Sarah Reidell Posted: Thursday September 17, 2026 1:48 PM Subject: National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) -- 2025 NDSA Staffing Survey Report Message: Sharing on behalf of my colleague, Rachel Appel, University of Pennsylvania Libraries' Digital Preservation Librarian: The 2025 National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) Staffing Survey is the fourth NDSA benchmarking study to examine the state of digital preservation staffing and skills. Developed by a thirteen-person working group convened in February 2025, this survey builds on the previous surveys conducted in 2012, 2017, and 2021. This iteration of the survey further develops the practitioner-centered approach of the 2021 survey, offering an updated understanding of how digital preservation work is structured, experienced, and sustained within organizations. The findings from this iteration of the longitudinal survey indicate progress in policy development, infrastructure, and the adoption of assessment frameworks. Practitioners demonstrate high levels of competency, particularly in communication, collaboration, and workflow design, often building these skills through hands-on experience. Taken together, these positive trends point to a committed, resourceful, and increasingly professionalized workforce. Excerpted from the Executive Summary, full survey report here https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22003451 <https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22003451> About the NDSA Founded in 2010, the NDSA is an international membership organization that supplies advocacy, expertise, and support for the preservation of digital heritage. The NDSA promotes a vision in which all digital material fundamentally important to our cultures receives appropriate, effective, and sustainable stewardship care from the international preservation community to protect and enhance its persistent value, availability, and (re)use. NDSA member institutions represent all sectors, and include universities, consortia, non-profits, professional associations, commercial enterprises, and government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. More information about the NDSA is available at https://www.ndsa.org <https://www.ndsa.org> ------------------------------ Sarah Reidell (AIC Fellow) AIC Board Director for Communications (2025-2028) [email protected] Margy E. Meyerson Head of Conservation University of Pennsylvania Libraries Philadelphia PA ORCID: 0000-0001-7242-9090 ------------------------------ 10.From: Yadin Larochette Posted: Thursday September 17, 2026 3:54 PM Subject: Film Viewing: People's Emergency Briefing Message: Calling all members of the American Institute for Conservation and all members of the Institute for Conservation: Please join us for a free virtual viewing of the "The People's Emergency Briefing <https://www.nebriefing.org/the-film>", a film produced in the UK on the current climate crisis. Delivered by independent experts, the aim is to fully inform on the risks we face and the solutions available. The film will be shown for FREE online for AIC and Icon members only. This is a rare opportunity, as the film is not usually aired online (Organized by the Icon Sustainability Group). Dates/Times: Tuesday, September 29 4-5:30pmBST/11-12:30pmEDT Wednesday, September 30 9-10amBST/4-5:30amEDT Link to register: https://www.icon.org.uk/events/people-s-emergency-briefing-film-screening.html ------------------------------ Yadin Larochette https://www.yadinlarochette.com/ ------------------------------ 11.From: Jennifer Jouas-Viall Posted: Thursday September 17, 2026 8:00 PM Subject: Advice on Housing a Historical Food Object Message: Hello All, I am looking for advice on the long-term housing and storage of a sugar cookie made in 1993, which is currently housed in a shadow box and is being preserved at my institution as a historical object. I am interested in hearing from colleagues who have experience caring for food items in archives, museums, or special collections. I appreciate any recommendations for housing materials and methods that provide physical protection while helping to minimize deterioration and pest activity. One option I am considering is housing the cookie in a shallow steel container with a fitted, potentially lockable, steel lid. Are there any concerns I should consider regarding ventilation, temperature, humidity, off-gassing, or pest activity, as well as the materials appropriate for lining or supporting the cookie within the container? I am also open to alternative housing methods that may better suit its long-term preservation. If you have experience preserving historical food items, I appreciate hearing about your approaches, recommendations, or relevant resources. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! ------------------------------ Jennifer Jouas-Viall Preservation Specialist UC Davis Library ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. 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