Hi Sharon,

 

We have a "permanent" collection with a sub-category of "for use" .  These
items include machinery such as a steam engine taken for demonstration, a
car that the donor wanted to remain in operating condition and items like
that.  All are given the prefix  "X" before the accession number to indicate
they are used.  Records are kept on all changes made to the items to keep
them in operating condition.  And we also have a hands-on teaching
collection which is considered to be disposable.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Debra Hughes

 

Curator of Collections and Exhibits

Hagley Museum and Library

P.O. Box 3630

Wilmington, DE 19807

[log in to unmask]

 

 

 

 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Clothier, Sharon
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 12:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Collections Policies and Categories of Collections Use

 

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

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