Webinars

Upcoming Webinars

Webinar Series: Thermodynamics in Collection Spaces

When: October 8, October 22, November 5, 2026
Time: 1:00-2:00pm ET

Part I: The Indoor Environment, Air and Water
This webinar will: 1) discuss the three important properties that define the state of the indoor environment within collection spaces, namely temperature, pressure, and relative humidity (RH); and 2) introduce terms such as the saturation vapor pressure of water and saturation mixing ratio; and 3) discuss how these terms help define the relative humidity of a collection space.

Part II: Indoor Heat Gain and Loss
This webinar will: discuss 1) what is the thermodynamic dewpoint temperature (Tdp), why it is important and what the Tdp can tell us about a collection space; 2) the heat energy of indoor spaces, known by HVAC engineers as thermodynamic enthalpy, and establish its relation to the heat capacity of water and air; and 3) define the important difference between sensible heat and latent heat.

Part III: Practical Concepts of Heat Gain and Loss and the Psychrometric Chart
This webinar will: 1) discuss practical examples of what the important indoor parameters- such as temperature, pressure, and RH - can tell preservation professionals about their display and storage spaces; and 2) explain how to use the psychrometric chart as a tool in understanding what is happening in collection spaces.

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Webinar Archive

Reducing Extreme Relative Humidity Conditions in Historic Houses Through Passive Environmental Management Approaches

Historic house museums often experience extreme seasonal and short-term fluctuations in relative humidity due to building characteristics, exposure, and limited mechanical systems. This webinar introduces strategies for reducing risks associated with extreme relative humidity conditions and shares a case study of how the Morris County Park Commission has reduced environmental risk across historic houses and collection spaces using low-cost, data-driven approaches.

 June 25, 2026  Watch the recording

Implementing Broader Annual Relative Humidity Ranges in High Density Storage Spaces

High-density archival storage environments present unique opportunities for managing relative humidity (RH) because large volumes of boxed and bound materials absorb and release moisture slowly over time. This webinar focused on how the hygroscopic nature and sheer avolume of organic archival collections contribute to more gradual RH changes, even within broader set point ranges. Emphasis was placed on why broadening RH set points can be effective and on the key factors institutions should consider when adopting this approach. 

  May 21, 2026   Watch the recording

 

Implementing Seasonal Relative Humidity Set Points

This webinar introduces the concept of seasonal RH management and will share a a case study of how the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) implemented and manages seasonal RH set points in exhibition and collection spaces. 

 April 23, 2026  Watch the recording

Introduction to 3D Printing for Cultural Heritage

This webinar will provide an introduction to 3D printing for preservation professionals. Information covered will include an overview of 3D printing processes, terminology, commonly printed materials, and application areas within a cultural heritage setting.

August 24, 2023 Watch the Recording

Sustainability on Display: Preservation-Friendly Ways of Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Museum Exhibits

In this webinar, three cultural heritage professionals will share their work related to preservation-friendly ways of reducing the carbon footprint of museum exhibits.

February 3, 2022 Watch the Recording

Introduction to HVAC Systems

This webinar will explain the operation of how these mechanical systems create environmental conditions for collecting institutions.

October 14, 2021 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

Sustainable Preservation: Quick Tips and Approaches for Museums, Libraries, and Archives

Three cultural heritage professionals that represent a cross section of the field are joining the Image Permanence Institute to present quick tips and actionable approaches to environmentally sustainable preservation practices.

May 6, 2021 Watch the Recording

Energy Monitoring for Cultural Heritage Institutions

This webinar explains why institutions should consider energy monitoring, different strategies for doing so, and how the data collected can inform decision-making.

February 19, 2021 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

Responding to Issues

This webinar discusses how to make basic environmental changes or adjustments to improve preservation environments, and provide guidelines for avoiding responses that may have negative consequences.

July 9, 2020 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

Setting Appropriate Parameters

The webinar summarizes the broader field of research and standards, and discuss factors to consider when setting environmental parameters.

June 11, 2020 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

Understanding Fluctuations and Equilibrations

The webinar begins by expanding upon foundational research and theory by reviewing objects’ responses to environmental fluctuations and factors affecting the rate of object equilibration.

May 14, 2020 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

Evaluating Collection Spaces

This webinar addresses how to implement an environmental management program, from identifying the key features of a mechanical system that create indoor environmental conditions, to where problematic microclimates may exist in a collection space, to how to begin an environmental monitoring program.

August 16, 2019 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

Preventive Conservation and the Role of Environment

The webinar begins by covering how the environment fits into the larger frameworks of preventive conservation and risk analysis, and focusing on the environment’s impact on preservation, including how to identify what materials within a collection are most vulnerable to these factors.

July 25, 2019 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

Using Identification to Improve Collection Preservation and Access

The webinar series culminates with a discussion of preservation and access for photographic collections. This presentation draws from recent research to include an overview of collections care for prints and photographs, such as proper storage, handling and display methods, and guidelines for a preservation storage environment.

February 14, 2018 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

A Methodology for Process Identification, Part 2

This webinar showcases IPI’s web resource, www.GraphicsAtlas.org. It highlights the new process identification pages launched in December 2016 as well as the new filtered search and controlled vocabulary. IPI staff demonstrate how these new features can be used toward accurate process ID.

January 10, 2018 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

A Methodology for Process Identification, Part 1

Process identification can be overwhelming and daunting. IPI has developed several tools in order to make this task easier. This includes a step-by-step methodology and a controlled vocabulary specific to photograph characteristics for identification. This webinar presents the methodology and controlled vocabulary.

December 13, 2017 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

21st Century Materials and Technologies

This webinar provides an overview of 21st century digital printing processes. It includes a description of the three most common printing technologies as well as the range of materials available.

November 8, 2017 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

20th Century Materials and Technologies

This webinar begins with an overview of 20th century materials and technologies. It focuses on the diversity of silver gelatin developed out prints. It also includes a discussion of color photographic processes and technologies.

October 11, 2017 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)

19th Century Materials and Technologies

This webinar discusses the diverse range of photographic materials and technologies used during the 19th century. It begins with a brief introduction to basic photographic technologies including the camera and printing methods. An overview of photographic printing processes and materials based on the light sensitivity of silver, iron, and chromium are given.

September 13, 2017 Watch the Recording Download (PDF)