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Packing and Shipping Policy

It is the policy of the Museum to promote and preserve the physical integrity of the Museum’s Collections through proper packing and shipping as appropriate given the type, purpose, and priorities of each Museum collection: Artifact, Documentary Multimedia, Teaching, Library, and Props and Furnishings. 

The Collections Manager is ultimately responsible for the packing and shipping of all Museum collections and all collections-type objects that are transferred to or from the Museum for the purposes of loan, potential acquisition, or other Museum-related purposes.  The Collections Manager advises the staff that may be involved in packing, shipping, or transporting Museum collections about developing, planning, and implementing appropriate practices.

Artifact Collection

Objects are at their most vulnerable when they are being handled, packed, and/or transported; therefore, special care must be taken to protect objects during such a transitional period.  Proper handling practices are explained in the Artifact Handling Manual.

The Collections Manager may elect not to pack and ship certain objects due to their fragile nature or physical condition. The Collections Manager or Assistant Collections Manager must authorize all aspects of packing and shipping before objects from the Artifacts collection leave the Spurlock Museum.

Objects from the Artifact Collection are packed and shipped with the preservation of the images or recordings as the utmost priority.

Documentary Multimedia Collection

The Collections Manager advises and consults with the Registrar and Director of Information Technology on proper packing and shipping of objects in the Documentary Multimedia Collection.

Objects from the Documentary Multimedia Collection are packed and shipped with the preservation of the images or recordings as the utmost priority.

Teaching Collection

The Collections Manager advises and consults with the Education Section and the Registrar on proper packing and shipping of objects in the Teaching Collection.

Each object in the Teaching Collection is assigned to a category, depending upon its intended and/or assigned use.

High priority objects are packed and shipped using appropriate, high quality archival materials whenever possible.

Objects included in educational modules are packed with high quality archival materials that are designed to be hand-carried while in transit.  In addition, these archival encasements act as the permanent storage units for these objects. See Storage Policy, Part B, #2, for details.

Lower priority objects are packed and shipped in a safe and cost-effective manner.

Library Collection

Objects from the Library Collection are packed and shipped in a safe and cost-effective manner.

Props and Furnishings Collection

Objects from the Props and Furnishings Collection are not considered a preservation priority for the Museum; therefore, they are packed and shipped in a safe and cost-effective manner.

Spurlock Museum packing and shipping procedures and practices are described in the Spurlock Museum Packing and Shipping Instruction Manual.  The manual covers the following issues:

1. The theory of packing;
   
2. Air and support;
   
3. Selection of high quality packing materials;
   
4. Reversibility of packaging and unpacking procedures;
   
5. Standardization;
   
6. Packing methods: bolster packing, tray packing, semi-cavity and cavity packing, special packing, and crating;
   
7. Box making: prefabricated and self-constructed boxes;
   
8. Design and construction of educational modules;
   
9. Safety;
   
10. Glossary of terms;
    
11. Packing forms and documentation;
    
12. Shipping collections;
    
13. Shipping options and selection: self, courier, University, and outside firms;
    
14. Planning a move;
    
15. Pallets: loading items and wrapping;
    
16. Truck loading;
    
17. Equipment;
    
18. Security;
    
19. Shipping forms and documentation;
    
20. Receiving shipments;
    
21. Standard packing critique;
    
22. Documentation procedures for incoming shipments; and
    
23. Photographs and illustrations of materials, equipment, and techniques used in packing and shipping.