Best Practices
This section brings together simple and accessible guidelines for those who care for cultural heritage – whether in a library, archive, museum, cultural association, or private collection.
Drawing on everyday practice, we share recommendations that help prevent damage, improve routines, and add value to collections. These are technical texts, but without unnecessary complexity. They are not a substitute for the work of a professional conservator, but they do support more informed and safer day-to-day decisions.
Here you’ll find topics such as the proper handling of objects, basic storage methods, environmental control, pest prevention, emergency preparedness, among others. Each text includes practical examples and applicable suggestions, tailored to the reality of institutions with limited resources or small teams.
This section complements our Conservar + service, supporting institutions that want to start caring for their collections or strengthen existing practices.
Start here
Frequent question
Register for Preservation: Inventory as the Starting Point for Collection Care
Registering and inventorying are the foundation of conservation. Learn what to register, why it matters, and how this document protects and enhances your collection. Learn more
Should I wear gloves when handling objects?
Not always. In this article, we explain when to use gloves, the risks of cotton gloves, and why clean hands are often the best option. Learn more
Under Construction
❗Before taking action, stop and think
If you are planning any type of cleaning, repair or conditioning of heritage assets, take a moment to:
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Assess the historical, symbolic and documentary value of materials;
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Define what your goals are in terms of future use and access;
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Understand what really needs to be done and what can be avoided;
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Know the risks associated with each action and the safest alternatives;
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Check who will carry out the work , with what training and with what materials;
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Ensure there is full transparency in the methods and products used – no irreversible or undocumented processes and no use of commercial materials with unknown composition.
⚠️ If you have any doubts, the best practice is to not intervene before asking for advice.
💡How Conservar + can help
Conservar + is our ongoing technical and strategic support service, created to assist institutions and projects that care for cultural heritage.
We work side by side with teams, associations, libraries, archives, or private collections to:
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Carry out on-site assessments
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Define priorities and action plans
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Support interventions or funding applications
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Provide independent and transparent consulting
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Offer practical and accessible training
More informations in Memories
