Hi Jess & Cindy!

Over here at RMSC, we have no requirement to notify the family of the donor.  The only time the family is mentioned in our collections management policy is "If there are donor restrictions on the disposal of the item, the RMSC staff will consult with the don'r representatives (if available) and seek advice of legal counsel."  We actually do have a fairly recent gift that came in with the restriction that if we decide to deaccession any item from the gift the donor's daughter must be notified. In that case we would certainly comply. 

Best, Sarah

---- Cindy Boyer <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 
> Hi there Jess!
> 
>  
> 
> What does your collection policy say?  
> 
>  
> 
> I would also be curious to hear from the list members - how many of you
> have this requirement in your collection policy to notify the
> donor/family of deaccession. Has it ever led to the sticky situation of
> a donor or their descendants wanting the object back?
> 
>  
> 
> I never quite understood the function of such a requirement - I suppose
> it could give the donor family opportunity to purchase the item if it
> going to auction; or if it is going to another a museum let them know
> where it will be put to good use.  I just wonder if it opens up a can of
> worms.
> 
>  
> 
> Don't mean to hijack Jess' s thread - but we are in the process of
> revamping our policies, and I was considering leaving this action out. 
> 
>  
> 
> Cindy Boyer
> 
> Director of Public Programs
> 
> The Landmark Society of Western New York
> 
> 133 S. Fitzhugh St.
> 
> Rochester NY  14608
> 
> (585) 546-7029 ext. 12
> 
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> Fax:  (585) 546-4788
> 
>  
> 
> The Landmark Society:  Revitalizing Yesterday, Protecting Today, and
> Planning for Tomorrow
> 
>  
> 
> www.landmarksociety.org <http://www.landmarksociety.org/> 
> 
> Confessions of a Preservationist: The Landmark Society blog
> <http://landmarksocietywny.blogspot.com/>  
> 
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> 
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Marten, Jessica
> Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 3:31 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] MUSEUM-L Digest - 2 Dec 2011 to 5 Dec 2011
> (#2011-314)
> 
>  
> 
> Hello Museum-L'ers,
> 
>  
> 
> A question re: deaccessioning policy/etiquette:
> 
>  
> 
> If a donor is deceased and their children are deceased, do you contact
> their grandchildren and/or great-grandchildren, etc.  to notify them of
> the museum's intent to deaccession an object given by their
> grandparents? 
> 
>  
> 
> Thank you all for your time and valuable input,
> 
>  
> 
> Jessica Marten
> 
> Assistant Curator
> 
> Memorial Art Gallery
> 
> Rochester, NY
> 
>  
> 
> From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of MUSEUM-L automatic digest system
> Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 12:00 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: MUSEUM-L Digest - 2 Dec 2011 to 5 Dec 2011 (#2011-314)
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
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