Gary,

You have taken this a further step and I think you have it.  I personally
support adding "that serves the public" to be important, as well as the
broadening of terms such as "scientific" which gives greater depth than the
latest version.  BRAVO.

John


----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Edson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 8:30 AM
Subject: Definition of a Museum


> Colleagues:
>
> There has been an amount of discussion about the following definition:
>
> "Museums are permanent institutions that conserve and communicate
knowledge
> of the natural world and the cultural inheritance of humanity through
> collections, records, memories, images, and sites they care for, research
> and interpret, in public trust, for present and future generations."
>
> Some have suggested an expanded version and other have recommended
deletion
> of words. The discussion appears to be following a  very traditional
> approach to the concept of a museum. Is this a direction ICOM should be
> going or is it time to take a more farsighted view of museum and museum
> activities?
>
> Regarding the above definition are we creating a situation that will
> eventually result  in a further listing of variables by identifying
> "collections, records, memories, images, and sites"? Are all those aspects
> of a museum (except possibly sites) not collections?
>
> A recently suggested definition that take an approach that may be
considered
> follows:
>
> "A museum is an institution that serves the public interest through
> education, collaboration, communication, or research about social,
cultural,
> or scientific issues expressed as objects, specimens, or activities."
>
> As a word of information: Much of our discussion has been in English, and
> this is an issue about which I have concern. I will provide French and
> Spanish translations of parts of this discussion as I can. However, one
> drawback with the an e-mail is lack of time to allow translations between
> exchanges. To our French and Spanish speaking colleagues I apologize for
> this situation and thank you for your understanding.
>
> Gary Edson
>
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