Ammie -
To me, open storage means the attractive and exciting exhibits of this type
offered by  Victoria's Museum of Anthropology in B.C., with its somewhat
minimal information on magnificent collections which are well-exhibited on
enclosed glass shelving, or Glenbow in Calgary, where larger-than-normal
groups of similar artifacts are displayed alongside a more conventional
diorama-type exhibit where the object is fully explained. There are lots of
ways of offering open storage and some are closer to your horrifying
visions, but the term "open storage" is somewhat of a misnomer, since the
purpose is "opening up larger collections to the public" in some way, not
"leaving collections lying around in the open". Do you see the distinction?


At 09:02 AM 08/02/99 -0600, you wrote:
>I have some concerns.  As a relatively new museum professional (three years
>experience) my understanding is that open storage can lead to some problems.
>First of all, I dont know about anyone else but I have found that after my own
>museum's renovation which expanded our space three times so that we had more
>storage and could leave the old "Grandma's Attic" display method behind, that
>the locals were somewhat disappointed in the change.  They expected everything
>to remain the same.  So wouldn't it follow that if you began a policy of open
>storage, the public would gravitate again toward their preferences for
>"grandma's attic?" Isn't part of our responsibility as professionals to educate
>the public on good museum practices.  I just cant envision open storage as a
>good museum practice.  Am I mis-interpreting what you mean by "Open Storage?'
>To me it just brings to mind the image of little to no interpretation of the
>artifacts with no teaching purpose.  Just random objects lying out for the
>public's curiousity.  Could somebody answer my concerns?
>
>Thank you for your time on this issue.
>
>Ammie Goss
>Pioneer Woman Museum
>701 Monument
>Ponca City, OK 74604
>580-765-6108
>email [log in to unmask]
>
>
>Lee Langston-Harrison wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone . . . please discuss this issue of open storage on the list . .
>> . we're interested in hearing current opinions, especially from those who
>> went that route several years ago.  I really love the storage systems at
>> the Wallace gallery in Col. Williamsburg . . . would be interested in how
>> it's working on a daily basis.
>>
>> Can we start a dialogue?!  Thanks, Lee :)
>>
>> Lee Langston-Harrison
>> Director of Curatorial Operations
>> Montpelier, Home of James & Dolley Madison
>> Montpelier Station, VA 22957
>> (540) 672-0007
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>> ----------
>> From: Sally Shelton <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Open storage
>> Date: Monday, February 08, 1999 9:20 AM
>>
>> Hi, MUSEUM-L people. I received the following request for info from a
>> colleague and thought I'd post it for your input and comments. Thanks in
>> advance for your help and expertise.
>>
>> Cheers, Sally Shelton
>> National Museum of Natural History
>> <[log in to unmask]>
>>
>> We at the Peab. are interested in exploring open viewing storage systems
>> that allow the public to see more of the collection than normally they
>> would encounter in an exhibition.  This idea of course is developed
>> differently by different institutions according to their collections
>> needs.  "Open storage" was in vogue some years ago and seems to be making
>> a comeback (if I read trends correctly).  Anyhow, what I would like is
>> titles of references that might come to mind on the subject.  Can you
>> think of any you have seen?  Thanks in advance.
>>
>> Larry
>>
>> -----------------------
>> Lawrence J. Flynn
>> Assistant Director
>> Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology
>> (617) 496-3945
>> ----------
>
>
Jane Sproull Thomson