Pennsylvania Cultural Response Team

REALM Project's Test 4 results were released yesterday. Here's the summary (but bear in mind this doesn't address the viability of transmission from these materials): "Results show that after six days of quarantine the SARS-CoV-2 virus was still detected on all five materials tested. When compared to Test 1, which resulted in nondetectable virus after three days on an unstacked hardcover book, softcover book, plastic protective cover, and DVD case, the results of Test 4 highlight the effect of stacking and its ability to prolong the survivability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus."

Check out this webinar from ICCROM: "Heritage Conservation Learning in the COVID World: Challenges and Opportunities" on Sept. 22, which will discuss how heritage conservation learning has continued during the disruption of COVID-19. Discussions will consider the challenges now facing this practical field, as well as the learning opportunities for heritage conservation students from educational and training institutions, globally. Though there may be a focus on students, all... heritage professionals at any stage of their career can benefit. A Facebook page and Instagram handle have been created so that questions can be posed and comments and stories gathered in the weeks leading up to the webinar. Do check them out! Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Iccrom-Heritage-Conservation-Learning-in-the-COVID-World-118401196577564/ Instagram: hc.covidlearning * Organized by ICCROM in partnership with Athabasca University’s Heritage Resources Management Program (AU), and International Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC).

Our Pittsburgh colleagues have endured great pain throughout the process of discovering a great collection pillaged, trusted caretaker and local bookseller both responsible, and the ensuing recovery efforts and trial. If you haven't followed the news updates since the discovery in 2017, this is a well-written summary.

Following yesterday's post about AAM's survey on the effect of the pandemic on museums, it can be helpful to look globally at how cultural organizations around the world are considering their future. This report from NEMO, the Network of European Museum Organisations, summarizes their own survey findings on the impact of COVID-19. Although they are and will experience financial setbacks, the museum sector is agile and able to adapt to the new digital normal. https://www.ne-mo.org//our-ad/museums-during-covid-19.html

Last month, the American Alliance of Museums shared the devastating news that the U.S. may lose a third of its museums.

What a wonderful bonus find during a roof restoration project!

Although the many lives lost and injuries suffered is the top concern following this disaster, our hearts are breaking for Beirut's cultural heritage.

The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is working to assess the impact that COVID-19 has had on the organizations they serve. If you work or volunteer for an archive, library, museum, or other collecting institution, please take a moment to complete a brief survey to help them out. Completing this survey should take approximately 20 minutes. It is understood that closures were unique for each organization, so language in this survey is fairly general. ...Please answer questions to the best of your ability, thinking about the time during which your organization's operations and/or services were disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Note: Only one person per institution should complete this survey. If there is someone in your institution who works more directly with collections or is otherwise better suited to complete the survey, please forward it to them. Your anonymous answers to this survey will be published in a report by CCAHA. Survey must be completed by August 31, 2020. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp

In case you missed it, the REALM Project shared its Test 3 results last week. The synopsis: "Results show that after five days of quarantine in an unstacked configuration, the SARS-CoV-2 virus was not detected on the storage bag (flexible plastic) or the DVD. The storage container (rigid plastic), plexiglass, and the USB cassette all showed detectable virus at five days. Day five was the final timepoint tested. Compared to the results of Test 1 and 2, this data suggests that... a slightly longer quarantine time for these types of plastic-based materials may be required to render SARS-CoV-2 undetectable through natural attenuation alone. Alternatively, based on the materials’ nonporous nature, suitable liquid disinfection methods may promote a more rapid decontamination than the quarantine method.*" For the finer details, check out their post.

'A resting time for the art': with museums shut, US conservators seize on strategies to safeguard their collections. Experts embrace a blend of remote monitoring and on-site tours, while marveling at diminished levels of dust.

As we head into the holiday weekend celebrating Independence Day, check out the National Archives' first ever virtual celebration of July 4th. It's a full schedule for the day, culminating in a live reading of the Declaration of Independence by Soledad O'Brien. Stay safe everyone!

Last week, Governor Wolf announced the availability of $20 million in grant funding for cultural organizations and museums to offset lost revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting shutdown order. July 31st is the deadline to apply and more details can be found in the press release:

For organizations that need back-to-work collection guidelines, the Yale Library Center for Preservation and Conservation Services has created a Libguide with resources useful during your planning stages. It includes a collections handling guideline plan. Pass it on!