He noted that by working together over recent years, the museum's facilities and conservation departments have almost become one regarding their work for the collection. Facilities staff work in the building day and night and sometimes become aware of problems affecting collections when conservators and curators are absent. The facilities' call list includes conservators and curators. Good communication and documentation are of great importance. Half the oil is used in summer to dehumidify.
Energy conservation is a constant battle.
Hawley stressed the fact that the conservation community needs to be political in order to become effective. Theatrical techniques work well to inspire donors, for example, demonstrating worm holes in paper, fabric deterioration, veneer lifting, etc. Creating an environment for conservation includes campaigning for the objects. Conservators at the Gardner Museum have actually treated objects in the galleries so that visitors can observe. Hawley emphasized that long-range planning efforts must involve conservators.