Wow I think we are all in the same boat. All of the freelancing I have done
was to help small historical societies with these problems. But I was just
a consultant and never dove in for long periods of time. Well I have to
tell you...I dove in. I started at my current job in September. For the
most part half of the collection had been briefly documented with a bizzare
range of numbers. Some select collections were documented (i.e. our gun
collection-serial numbers and descriptions were recorded) But otherwise I
had a fresh plate, objects with no paper work to tell me thier history. We
have created a "Found In Collection" set of numbers using the standard 3
part numbering system. Also we use Past Perfect 4.0. Now it is not ideal
but my FIC numbers are based on object type (textiles, hats, quilts, etc)
All known old info is put into Past Perfect, this includes fields:accession
#, Object ID, Other #, old #, related, notes, and people. Using these few
catagories I am able to put in at least 2 old numbers and names or locations
or any other snipit of info I can find on these objects. Also you can
expand the custom sections to accomodate other accession numbers as needed.
Then of course I update the file with the new condition report, location,
photo, etc.
My plan is once the inventory is complete that I can go back through all of
the remaining records and try to piece it all back together. I have started
all of the filing. I pray I am doing it correctly and in the future someone
doesn't come along and say "What in the world were they thinking when they
created this", because I certainly have said that about other museum filing
systems. (nothing like a 100 year old system that has been changed 6 times)
Oh and on the thread about living wages and museums. I am young and just
started out in this field about 4 years ago. I knew going into it that it
wasn't for the money. If it was all about the money I would be in a
different field right now. Museum work is for the love and preservation of
history. It usually means long dusty filled hours pouring over records,
objects, and research. Working in dark windowless spaces is not your typical
26 year old's idea of a nice summer day. But those first few steps into the
blinding sun and fresh air and knowing that you spent the day breathing life
into the objects of yesterday...makes it all worth it!
Have a wonderful day, and thank you to everyone on this list who devotes
their time to preserving the past for the future generations to enjoy.
Marielle
**********************
Marielle
Museum Registrar
Vermont
**********************
>From: Dayle Irwin <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Accessioning archival materials to museum collection
>Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2005 20:03:21 -0500
>
>Well, I certainly don't feel so all alone anymore!
>We are facing pretty much the same situation, with a twist--some of our
>items have been
>accessioned up to FIVE times. Different directors have come in and decided
>that the system in
>use before was all wrong and everything had to be done their way. The
>result is we have many items not
>accessioned at all; some accessioned anywhere from 1 to five times; and no
>rhyme or reason to any of it.
>We have spent the past 6 months just getting the paperwork in order so we
>can maybe start to put everything into
>PastPerfect. And we are hoping that PastPerfect will accept more than one
>accessioning system or we will have
>to start completely over.
>
>(My favorite example of this is a simple, wooden straight edge that was
>living in a desk drawer. It has not local or historical
>significance. It has been accessioned. five times!)
>
>We have decided to accept the most recent accession number and go with
>that; then we will choose a system, write up
>a procedures manual, and keep our fingers crossed that someone in the
>future doesn't redo all or parts of the collection again.
>
>I am also working on our library which is also in varying stages of
>accessioning.
>I have a question about this.
>Should the books in the library be cataloged AND accessioned? Or should we
>just Dewey them up and keep
>that as a separate database from the other items?
>We can do either or both right now because part are accessioned, part are
>not, and none are truly catalogued. I will
>put them in Dewey order on the shelves eventually so the library will be
>more usable. But what else should I do?
>
>Looking forward to hearing from you all!
>
>Dayle Irwin
>Collections Manager
>Macon County Historical Society and Museum
>Decatur, IL
>[log in to unmask]
>
>P.S. We are only about 35 miles from Springfield, IL, and currently have a
>Civil War display open and a Lincoln Connections
>display due to open in about a week. Come see us!
>
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