At the Canadian War Museum, from whence I retired in January, we followed
the common practice of dividing the collection into one part that would be
sedulously preserved and another, in which the items were deemed to be
disposable. On occasion, items from this "Living History" collection were
sold or traded, but any disposal from the "National" collection required the
approval of the corporation's board of directors. If you would like a copy
of the policy, please contact me; I am sure it has not been amended since I
wrote it a few years ago.

Harry

"Those who play with cats must expect to get scratched"

               -  Cervantes, "Don Quixote"

Harry Needham, M.A., CFE, etc.
President
Harry Needham Consulting Services Inc.
Training & consulting services for heritage institutions - and others!
74 Abbeyhill Drive
Kanata, Ontario K2L 1H1
Canada
email: [log in to unmask]
(Voice) +1.613.831-1068
(Fax) +1.613.831-9412
----- Original Message -----
From: Sarre, Jane - EL CDU <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2000 4:37 AM
Subject: Re: deaccessions


> In the UK at least, it is generally preferred that any funds from sales of
> collections (and this is also governed by strict reccomendations) should
be
> used to improve the care of the remaining collection - in terms of
> environmental management etc. This does occasionally run to include
improved
> security provision. However it does not include new display furniture as a
> general rule. Selling collections to fund new purchases is not usually
> advised.
>
> All of this is covered by the UK Museums Association Code of Ethics for
> People who Work in Museums, and the Re:source (ex Museums and Galleries
> Commission) guidelines for Registration.
>
> How does this compare to the US?
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Jane Sarre
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
> Museums Development Adviser
> Kent County Council
> Cultural Development Unit
> Springfield, Maidstone
> Kent ME14 2LH
>
> tel 01622 696439
> fax 01622 696419
>
> mobile 07711 722010
> email to mobile [log in to unmask]
>
> > ----------
> > From:         Harding, Deborah[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent:         25 July 2000 15:42
> > Subject:      deaccessions
> >
> > Here's a nice topic for the list members to gnaw down to the bone.
> >
> > Does anyone know offhand what are the ethical standards for the use of
> > funds
> > generated by the sale of deaccessioned items?  Are they to be used for
> > collections purchase only, or may they be used for collections support
> > (better cabinets, climate control, etc.)?  Do the AAM and the
Association
> > for State and Local History differ in their standards?  How about method
> > of
> > disposal (public sale/auction vs. dealers)?  Someone brought up eBay a
> > while
> > ago, but I didn't see much generated in response.  (Too many people on
> > vacation, maybe.)
> >
> > Deborah Harding
> >
>
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