I do this two different ways.  If the staff member expended their own
resources (time, money) to collect the item and then offers it to the museum
I list it as a gift from the individual staff member.   If the item is
more-or-less directly from the source or the staff member has been
instructed as part of his/her job to obtain the item, then it is a gift
directly from the source (e.g., bank).

We have this issue with our collection of "popular" images of Native
Americans (like the Land-o-Lakes butter packaging).   Some items were found
by staff and volunteers serendipitously as they shopped or went to sporting
events (or even in their own closets and pantries).   Others staff and
volunteers deliberately set out to get for the collection.  The question, I
think, is who owned it before it came to the museum.   A bank giveaway is a
gift, even if multiples are given to lots of different people.   If your
staff member specifically went to get that item, the "donor" is the bank.
If your staff member was given the item and then decided it would be useful
for the collection, then the donor is the staff member.

I think.

janice

Janice Klein
Director, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
[log in to unmask]
www.mitchellmuseum.org


-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Erika Brown
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 2:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Objects collected by staff members


I am running into a situation I have not encountered before.  Our museum
staff infrequently collects items for the collection.  One example being
a promotional item being given away at a local bank.  I am not sure how
to classify these items and what documentation I need to satisfy clear
and legal title to the items.  They are not truly a donation or a
purchase, so the Deed of Gift or Purchase paperwork is not available.
Right now they are listed in PastPerfect as "Collected by Staff" and
have no paperwork other than an accession report.

My questions:
Does you museum collect objects for the collection?
If so, what type of acquisition is it listed as?
What documentation do you include / require when accessioning?


Thanks!
Erika


BTW, I have enjoyed the "You know you are a M.P. when..." thread!

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
(without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
Museum-L" (without the quotes).

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).