The RE-ORG Method offers a step-by-step approach to help those who work with cultural and heritage collections to reorganize their current storage rooms, with a focus on the creative, yet safe, use of existing resources. The Method has four phases:
- Getting started: create the best possible conditions for a successful storage reorganization
- Condition report: document the current state of storage to identify major threats affecting the collection
- Action plan: define the necessary tasks and establish a project timeline
- Implementation: implement the action plan and ensure ongoing monitoring
To make storage reorganization more manageable, the RE-ORG Method addresses the four main areas of responsibility associated with storage:
- Collection: collect information to refine decisions about space and equipment needs.
- Furniture and small equipment: assess the current furniture and equipment, and the needs for better storage of collections.
- Building and space: identify risks to collection in the building and determine whether the space is safe and sufficient or whether alternative solutions should be found.
- Management: scrutinize policies and procedures, and define roles and responsibilities.
Everything museums need to implement their own RE-ORG project is included in the RE-ORG method kit
How to get started, watch the following tutorial video, which was produced by the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI):