We have been cleared to hire an archivist soon and will be replacing our
Collections and Exhibits Curator at about the same time.  We will probably
also add an education curator (watch Aviso, Dispatch and Museum-L for the
job postings).  We are trying to determine what specific skills are
required for each.  Would appreciate some feedback.  Here are some details:

The archivist will run the research library which currently contains about
1300 print volumes, family history files, information files, video and
audio history tapes and transcripts, 4000+ historica photos, maps, etc.

The collections and exhibits curator manages the document and 3-dimensional
artifact collections and up until now, was responsible for exhibit design
and development.

We expect to open a new collections storage facility within the next
several years.  It will become a regional repository for local government
documents and a storage facility for our 3-dimensional artifacts.  When
this facility opens we will begin a pro-active program of collections
development.

Currently, we are of the opinion that exhibit research, design and
development should go to the education curator as he/she will develop most
programs around the exhibits.

We are, however, unsure about what should be the responsibility of the
archivist and collections curator.  Should the archivist assume
responsibility for photos and documents, leaving 3-dimensional objects to
the curator?  That seems to be the most sensible division, given that the
archivist will run the library.  However, that leaves the collections
curator with a lot less to do, although we could still leave exhibit
development with that person with the understanding that the education
curator would work closely with both and would probably lead the exhibit
development team.

Any suggestions?


------
Robert Handy
Brazoria County Historical Museum
100 East Cedar
Angleton, Texas  77515
(409) 864-1208
museum_bob
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http://www.bchm.org