Could I add to Kate's request?

Museums in the UK are happy to tell one another about small scale deaccessions (from the single painting which no longer fits the museum's purposes to dozens of objects that have turned to dust).  But I have found it difficult to get anyone to tell me how long it takes to properly deacession (I.e. establish ownership, follow best practice and institutional policy regarding transfer out of the institution, appropriately transport, and meticulously document all this), when one is dealing with a complete museum, or at least with tens of thousands of objects.

I have been guessing that an average of 1,000 objects per person-year could be deaccessioned, but would love to have confirmation (or a real world figure).

Best wishes to all,

Pat

Pat Reynolds
Surrey Museums Development Officer



----- Original Message -----
From: Museum discussion list [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 03/04/2006 21:22
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: documented disposal/deaccessioning

Has anyone on this list ever participated in a documented disposal of objects from their institution's collection? I need to do this, and I have approval to do it, but I am unsure if I can simply throw them out (or I should say, throw the pieces of them out) and make a note in the files that I did this, or if there is more to it than this. Sorry if it seems a silly question, but I have never done this before and want to make sure I do it the right way. 
 
Kate Mockler
Curator of Collections and Interpretation
Oneida Community Mansion House
Oneida, NY 13421
www.oneidacommunity.com
(315) 363-0745

=========================================================
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).


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This email and any attachments with it are intended for the addressee only.
It may be confidential and may be the subject of legal and/or professional privilege.  
If you have received this email in error please notify the sender or [log in to unmask]
The content may be personal or contain personal opinions and cannot be taken as an expression of the County Council's position.
Surrey County Council reserves the right to monitor all incoming and outgoing mail.
Whilst every care has been taken to check this outgoing e-mail for viruses, it is your responsibility to carry out any checks upon receipt.

Visit the Surrey County Council website - http://www.surreycc.gov.uk

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

=========================================================
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).