Brain teaser
We have a new collection at the Museum of Victoria called the Public
Programs Collection. It comprises three types of objects;

1. Heritage artefacts used in public programs (parts of the permanent
collction borowed temporarily for a particular exhibtion we are
developing)

2. Inward loans from other institutions for an exhibition

3. Artefacts, not part of the permanent collection, that we keep for
interactive purposes, ie; objects that belong to an eductation,
outreach, children's museum collection.

The first two are quite easy to define and recognise, the third is less
concrete. Somewhere between a mounted specimen, a reproduction photo, a
specially built interactive, old text panels, dress up costumes,
activity equipment (paints,etc), display cases and general furniture,
you cross the line from program collection into exhibition equipment. At
the moment I am wrestling with defining that line and just when I think
I have it pinned down another exception to the rule pops up.

I would be grateful if anybody has some thoughts on this subject that
could help me with my definition.

Thanks

Leah Breninger
Confused Head of Public Programs Collections