XI.A. Arrangement

Strategies for organization include organization by media (pastel drawings, watercolors, sketches, pen-and-ink drawings, prints, etc.), by subject portrayed (portraits, abstracts, nudes, animals) if a topical approach is more revealing of the creator's interests or intent, or by name of artist. If there is no compelling reason to organize material topically or by artist, then organization by media facilitates proper housing, storage and conservation, and consistent physical description.

If the material is organized by artist, it should be arranged therein alphabetically by title (as taken from the artwork or as given by the artist). If the title is the true title of the artwork as given by the artist, then this should be placed in quotation marks; otherwise, the title should be placed in brackets.

XI.B. Storage and Handling

Oil paintings should stay in frames, preferably under glass (not plexiglas) to protect their surface. Oil paintings without frames should be framed, if deemed sufficiently important. Otherwise, store them flat, foldered individually, in boxes or in the broadside cabinets. Framed paintings without glass should be wrapped in glassine to protect the surface from dust, other environmental pollutants, and abrasion. Framed works that are too large to store boxed on folio shelves will be stored in the Art Storage area (under design; construction date pending).

Works of fixed media on paper (e.g., photographs, watercolors, prints, and some drawings) may be unframed, interleaved with glassine, and grouped in folders, or for more fragile or important works, mounted in standard-size rag window mats with the image covered by acid-free glassine. Various standard sizes of oversize boxes are available for storage of these materials; special boxes (e.g., solander cases) may be obtained to accommodate special cases. (Solander cases are used for more fragile or important works; standard boxes for less vulnerable material.)

Works of friable or unfixed media on paper (e.g., charcoal, chalk, or pastel) should be kept framed, under glass (not plexiglas). If not presently framed, consult with the curator and Manuscript Unit Head regarding appropriate housing options.

Some works on paper should remain framed for aesthetic reasons, or because the frames have association or artifactual value (e.g., frames that are handmade, vintage, or particularly beautiful, or that were created especially for the work by the artist or owner).

Fragile material in frames should be left framed until appropriate conservation action can be taken.

Photographic prints for reference use should be provided in the regular box and folder sequence so that large and bulky framed items will not need to be paged regularly from the Art Storage section. The originals should be treated in the finding aid as "Restricted Fragile." (See the section on packaging and listing Restricted Fragile in Chapter VII.)

For art and objects that should be scanned, give the Public Services Librarian the call number, along with a description of each item so that they can be queued up for scanning. For items that cannot be scanned directly (because of their format or fragile condition), have AV make a color transparency and give the transparency to the Public Services Librarian with the description and call number.

For housing of 3-dimensional objects and other artifacts, see the section on memorabilia and personal effects in Chapter III.