Preventive Conservation and Conservation Plans: The First Step in Caring for Your Collection
- ccconservacao
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 6
Why start here?
Anyone working with heritage – whether in libraries, archives, museums or other cultural institutions – knows that resources are always limited. But what often goes unnoticed is that most conservation problems don’t happen suddenly. They develop slowly, silently, until it’s too late.
Starting with preventive conservation means flipping this logic. It means stopping before rushing, observing before intervening, planning before acting. That’s where the conservation plan comes in: an essential tool to understand what is at risk, what needs to be done, and where to begin.
What is preventive conservation (and what it is not)
Preventive conservation is the branch of conservation focused on protecting cultural objects without directly touching them. It is not restoration or material intervention, but rather the creation of conditions that delay or prevent deterioration.
It involves controlling the environment (temperature, humidity, light), ensuring proper housing and storage, promoting safe handling practices, and organizing the space effectively. Most importantly, it aims to prevent damage before it becomes visible – even when potential agents of deterioration are not yet apparent.
Preventive conservation works as a layered system: the building protects the room, the room protects the furniture, the furniture protects the box, and the box protects the object.
What is a conservation plan and what is it for?
A conservation plan is a technical document that identifies the risks and needs of a collection, defines priorities, and proposes concrete measures to ensure its long-term preservation. It can be simple or complex, but it is always a practical tool tailored to the institution's context.
Unlike a one-off condition report, a plan goes beyond describing problems. It outlines possible paths: which risks are most serious? Which are most urgent? What actions are feasible with the available resources? When is external support needed? And how do these decisions align with the institution’s strategic goals?
The 4 core goals are:
Building,
Collections,
Environment,
Emergencies
So… is this just “common sense”?
Many aspects of preventive conservation may seem obvious: don’t stack heavy books on top of fragile ones, avoid moisture, clean dust, don’t leave windows open. But without technical and systematic thinking, mistakes accumulate:
– The shelf looks great… but it’s leaning against a damp wall.
– The digitization project went ahead… but the original photographs were not stabilized or safe to scan.
– Gloves are being used… but they’re cotton, which traps dirt, releases fibers, that can get caught and damage fragile papers.
– Funding opportunity... But it was a missed opportunity due to lack of justification and suitability.
A conservation plan helps see the big picture, set priorities, and avoid false solutions.
First steps any institution can take
Even before having a full conservation plan, there are simple actions every team can start with.
Checklist – 5 steps to start preventive conservation:
Observe – Identify critical areas, fragile documents, or signs of deterioration.
Record – Keep a log of incidents: temperature changes, water ingress, pests, etc.
Measure – Install thermo-hygrometers and record relative humidity and temperature values.
Organize – Separate sensitive materials, optimize space, improve ventilation.
Raise awareness – Reinforce handling and cleaning practices with the entire team.
However, to ensure effectiveness, sustainability, and properly set priorities, a technical plan remains the best path forward.
In conclusion: to conserve is to make informed decisions, in time
Preventive conservation is not a luxury. It’s a smarter, more economical, and more sustainable way to care for collections.
A conservation plan helps institutions move from reaction to anticipation.
It provides data to support decisions.
It sets priorities.
It avoids waste.
And it builds more autonomous, informed management.
Conservation is not just about maintaining what exists.It’s about creating conditions for heritage to remain meaningful into the future.
Want to learn more and start creating the right conditions for your collection?