Responding to Milton Bloch (Friday 7 Nov 03 ) and request to Gary Edson
(responding to your message Friday 7 Nov  03):

Dear Milton and Gary,
As I remarked to colleagues in my last message offered to the ICOM-L list,
I also have had my own regrets each time I saw definition #1 again - that I
had let the word "permanent" fall away in my effort to get the definition
as short as possible.

In fact my second (current) version is both shorter and slightly improves
the conceptual arrangement of what I proposed at first.  I also believe -
having reflected on other opinions offered - that whatever new definition
is finally adopted, it should not be soft, abstract or vague, but clear and
strong.  I stress 'strong' .

I do believe "permanent" is better restored.

Therefore my final request, Gary, is:

>Suggestion #1 to include 'permanent' and therefore to read:
>Museums are permanent institutions that serve society by promoting knowledge,
>appreciation and conservation of the natural world and the cultural and
>scientific heritage of humanity through collections, memories, sites and
>processes they care for, research, and interpret for public benefit.

Responding once more to Hans-Christoph von Imhoff (Thursday 6 Nov
03).....and reference to  Peter Tyrell's message earlier (Mon. 3 Nov 03):

You are right, Hans-Christoph, and I thank your for raising it: I did
misunderstand Peter Tyrell's earlier reference, reading his message
quickly, and assumed 'document' to be used as a noun.
But I confirm that it IS very commonly used in English also as a verb.

However I continue to be of the view that this important function - of
'documenting' collections - is covered by the nuances of two terms already
used in the suggestion I have offered:

1. 'care for':  if we work with the public's already well-developed ideas
about museums, 'care for' includes making good arrangements and good
records of things that come into museums' control, temporarily or permanently;
2. 'research': again arouses existing public knowledge about museums -
which generally includes the idea that research would involve books
(libraries) and record-keeping.

Therefore I would still prefer to view 'documenting' as covered implicitly,
and not wish to push it up to be included in the main definition.
However, by restoring 'permanent' Peter T would no doubt be pleased, given
his concern about this value appearing clearly.
Thank you for your comments.
Bernice Murphy

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