Hello All,

 

Do any of your collections policies include a category for accessioned
artifacts that receive regular use? This is different from a hands-on or
educational-use category, in which the objects are understood to be
eventually expendable. This category would include things that will be
preserved but for practical reasons must also be used. 

Our museum has some large accessioned pieces that are considered
permanent collection, but are used in the galleries either by staff or
visitors. One example is a clock, another is a piano. We've just
acquired a large dining table that would also fall into this category if
we decide to accession it into the permanent collection. 

As we update our collections policy we want it to reflect the reality of
how these things are used, and include a category that recognizes this
"gray area" between permanent-collection-preservation and hands-on-use.
I'd be grateful to know how other policies have addressed this.

 

With thanks, 

 

Sharon Clothier

Curator of Decorative Arts

Oshkosh Public Museum

(920) 236-5776

www.oshkoshmuseum.org <http://www.oshkoshmuseum.org> 

 

 

 

 


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