Anne-

You seem to have two issues going on.  One, can you give items that you want
to deaccession to a for profit museum?  If I understand that your
collections policy says that you can give to other institutions as you
stated than yes you can.  The term "institutions" would include both
for-profit and non-profit institutions.  If the policy specifically states
non-profits then you could not.

The second is can you exchange then for other "goods and services?"  This is
the tricky part.  What is "goods and services?"  Are they other collections
objects or services such as conservation work?  Or are they security
systems, etc?  Without reading all of your collection policy, I would say
that goods and services that directly cared for the collection would be a
legitimate exchange medium.  However, things that were for building care,
etc would not.

Another problem for you is that the "goods and services"  are only valued at
a portion of the objects.  How was this determined?  Did you have the
objects that you are deaccessing appraised?  If so, was it projected as to
what you could get at auction or at a public sale?  If not and its based on
their insurance value, you may not be looking at a realistic number.
Insurance values are usually higher than what you could get if you sold the
items at auction or public sale because they are looking at replacement cost
versus market flucuations.  Insurance values are usually designed to take
into account the possiblity that these items may be difficult to replace and
therefore are a little higher.  Also, if the goods and services will include
any labor make sure you have an accurate value for that.  Labor is quite
expensive and should be based on a realist wage and time basis when "goods
and services are exchanged."

If after reexamining these these costs, you still feel that the objects have
more value than the institution is willing to provide in "goods and
services,"  then perhaps you should look elsewhere for a home.

Tracie Evans, Curator of Collections
Stonefield Historic Site, SHSW
PO Box 125
Cassville WI 53806
608-725-5210
[log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]


----- Original Message -----
From: Anne Lane <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 4:55 PM
Subject: Deaccessioning Question


> Hi, folks -
>
> I need your help on a situation - purely hypothetical, mind you!  ; )
>
> There are some items in a collection that do not fit the institution's
> mission and that are taking up sorely needed storage space. The curator of
> the collection is planning on deaccessioning these items. In the course of
> trying to find a new home for them, he has come in contact with a person
> who has a private company that provides goods and services that could be
of
> great value to the institution, specifically to the collection in
question.
>         The person who can provide these goods and services owns and runs
a
> private museum that is open to the public. This person would be interested
> in acquiring the deaccessioned items from the institution for display in
> the museum.
> In return this person would provide goods and services to the institution
> for a portion of the appraised value of the items.
>         The institution's collections policy forbids deaccessioning items
for the
> specific purpose of acquiring other items. It does allow exchanges to be
> made between institutions, but there is concern because the museum in
> question is a private for-profit. The curator would like to see an
> exception made based on what he sees as an opportunity that could not
> otherwise be available to the institution. The possibility of exceptions
is
> written into the policy, but there is concern that this would set a bad
> precedent.
>         I know this is a thin ice situation, and I'm not looking for wrung
hands,
> slapped wrists or cries of "Quel horreur!!!" I would appreciate anyone's
> taking a little time to present reasoned arguments for or against. I have
> had reason before to appreciate the cumulative wisdom of those on this
list
> with far more experience and education than I. TIA,
> Anne
>
> Anne T. Lane, Collections Manager
> Museum of York County
> 4621 Mount Gallant Road,
> Rock Hill, SC 29732-9905
> 803-329-2121, ext. 104
> FAX 803-329-5249
>
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