Ammie, I think that one of the most unique aspects of open storage is the
ability for the public to see a museum's holdings.  As constituents of
museums especially public ones, the public maintains their "rights" to see
and know what a museum stores.  This is particularily prominent with Native
American and other ethnic groups interested in their cultural objects.
Open storage provides a means of showing the public what is held in trust
for them while at the same time, not adding additional costs to the museum.
It allows a museum to show objects without actually physically bringing
people into storage areas which would increase security risks and some
preservation risks such as dirt, pests, etc (though it may add new
preservation risks such as light damage).  I think proper signage would
address you concerns about interpretation and good museum practices.  One
could even provide a computer aided display which would allow viewers who
see a catalog number to access information about the object right there for
any questions about what it is, its function, etc.  Open storage points to
a current debate in the museum field regarding the role of museums and
their relationship with the public.  It's a good topic to discuss these
ideas and themes.  And...fun too with our professional colleagues, Angela

>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
>> ----------


Angela Steiner Neller
Curator of Collections
Ill. Trans. Arch. Research Program and the Laboratory of Anthropology
Department of Anthropology
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
103 Horticulture Field Lab, 1707 S. Orchard St.
Urbana, IL  61801
[log in to unmask]
Ph: 217-333-0263
Fax: 217-244-7458