Elizabeth- I have a question regarding your permanent/hands-on collections policies.
If an object is left for potential donation into the permanent collection and
you decide it would be better in the hands-on collection, how do you document
the transfer of title? You said that the hands-on items are not accessioned,
but are deeds-of-gift still issued? And do you have to ask the potential donor
if they want to donate items "to be touched?"
Thanks in advance,
Kiersten
>Here at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, we have a section in our
>collections policies that discusses that very issue. Any object that enters
>the museum is first reviewed by the appropriate curator. If they decide
>that the specimen is appropriate for the permanent research collection, then
>they forward it for accession. We have two levels of permanent collections,
>the "never touch" stuff (type specimens, rare or unique, etc.) and the "can
>be touched." We then have a education/exhibit collection of non-accessioned
>material. So, if an object is not accessioned, it is then offered to the
>education/exhibit staff for programs.
>
>This process occurs no matter how an object enters the museum. Even if the
>original intent of the acquisition was not for accessioning (purchase,
>donation, etc.), the curators can still request that it be accessioned if
>the specimen merits it. This prevents us from inadvertently placing an
>object at risk (say, in a hands-on program) that should be protected from
>harm.
>
>
>Dr. Elizabeth A. Moore, Curator of Collections
>Virginia Museum of Natural History
>1001 Douglas Avenue
>Martinsville, VA 24112
>[log in to unmask]
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Jenny Yearous <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Thursday, February 17, 2000 5:50 PM
>Subject: Collections Rating systems
>
>
>>The State Historical Society of North Dakota is about to consider
>>designating artifacts and specimens in its permanent and educational
>>collections into categories such as "Permanently Preserve - approved
>>research projects only" to "Touchy-Feelies" and things in between such as
>>loan objects; docent use, etc.... Does anyone do anything similar and, if
>>so, do you have procedures / policies?
>>
>>Most museums probably have a permanent collection and a "hands-on"
>>educational collection (SHSND's is uncataloged and not part of the "museum"
>>collections at all). Does anyone have written / standardized procedures or
>>polices to determine what potential acquisitions are accessioned into the
>>permanent collection as opposed to the educational collections???? Thanks.
>>
>>Len Thorson, Registrar
>>State Historical Society of North Dakota
>>North Dakota Heritage Center
>>612 East Boulevard Avenue
>>Bismarck, ND 58505-0830
>>
>>[log in to unmask]
>>tel: (701)328-2666
>>fax: (701)328-3710
>>
>>http://www.state.nd.us/hist
>>
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