Museums play a vital role in the preservation of national and global cultural heritage. To fulfill this mission, they hold vast collections ranging from antiques and Old Masters to modern and contemporary art. Obviously, not everything can be held on display all the time, so most large-scale museums hold rotating, themed displays and keep the rest of their belongings in storage. So, how is art storage for museums organized? How has it changed under the influence of innovative technologies? Here is a quick glance at the modern makeup of museum storage.
Modern Collection Management Software in Museums
Collection management software (CMS) is an innovative digital solution to the long-standing problem of the centralized storage of artwork data. Previously, museums had a complex and cumbersome system of spreadsheets, filing cabinets, and tons of paper files for each stored item. At present, all data is digitized and stored in a single point of reference. This way, retrieval of data about the art object’s location, condition, provenance, and latest exhibition history becomes trouble-free and quick.
RFID and Barcodes in Art Storage for Museums
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and barcode tagging were invented for accurate item tracking and the avoidance of misplacement risks. Using the RFID and barcode tags, museum staff can easily trace the item’s movement and current location. An added advantage of RFIDs is that they can be scanned in bulk; this way, a quick scan of a storage room gives the reviewer accurate data on hundreds of items, which simplifies museum inventory management.
Automated Storage Systems
Many museums have started implementing innovative automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), a tried and tested technology widely used in libraries and warehouses. These systems easily integrate with CMSs and RFID tagging, so the museum gets an automated, robotics-powered system for item management.
ASRSs are also highly popular among entities with small storage spaces, as mechanized storage and retrieval equipment can service multi-level storage and help utilize vertical space with maximum value. Due to these features, this technology is widely regarded as a scalable, secure, and professionally organized storage option with lower costs compared to large storage spaces serviced by only human staff.
As you can see, the present and future of art storage for museums is firmly rooted in innovation. Smart technology serves the purpose of preserving history with care and precision, and museums across the globe take advantage of these novelties to attain better efficiency.