>I once heard a figure on how much a museum spends on the care of objects
>in its collection. I know it can only be relative but does anyone know
>of this, or a formula to calculate it? (Gail Kana Anderson)
>
>I'd be interested in any responses to this as well, particularly in
>reference to historic collections. (Cris Wolf)

The best publication to consult is:

B. Lord, G. Dexter Lord & J. Nicks
The cost of collecting. Collection management in UK museums
London: HMSO, 1989
ISBN 0-11-290476-9

For a formula see also:

G.G. Bank, 'Determining the cost: architect George Hartman's formula',
Museum News 66, 1988, (5): 74.

About costs see for example also:

W.E. Washburn, 'Collecting information, not objects', Museum News 62, 1984,
(3): 5-15.

I am interested to hear about more recent publications.



Dr Peter van Mensch
senior lecturer of theoretical museology and museum ethics
Reinwardt Academie
Amsterdam

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