This IS a strange situation.  I second the notion of contacting the
other museum, and letting them know the situation, and that the material
had not been donated from your museum to theirs, and that they should
change their records accordingly.

 

However, even though this de-accessioned material did not fit within
your museum's collecting parameters, obviously it did have value to
another institution (since they accepted it).  Why destroy it?  (Unless
we're talking about outright fakes, or illegal materials, or something.)
If you or a stakeholder at your museum can identify another institution
that might like the material, and that institution is willing to accept
the material in the condition in which you have it, why not?  It IS more
time consuming than just throwing it in the trash, but it has the
potential of creating community good will, which is invaluable.

 

Stories and drawings by an elderly gentleman might not be appropriate
for a history museum, but might be valued by a folk art museum, for
example.  (Not saying that's the case here, though!)  ;-)

 

The volunteer is question certainly did exceed his authority in this
case, deliberately flouted the rules of the institution and also may
have misrepresented the materials to the other museum.  "Getting rid of"
a volunteer is a delicate matter, though, as that volunteer will spread,
via word of mouth, his unhappiness with the matter, especially given his
desire to help.  

 

Can you arrange for other volunteer duties for this volunteer that do
not permit him access to the trash, or other areas that may be
problematic?  Such as staffing a booth at a community fair or festivals
outside the museum itself, that promote the institution, or something
like that?

 

 

All best-Reine Hauser

 

 

 

Reine Hauser

The Graycliff Conservancy, Inc

 


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