Dear Lori,

Before you make any decision, do you have an inventory of these artifacts?  I think that you could just as easily sell the material at public auction.

Perhaps you could have a day when your local historical societies come to your storage units and choose what they want.   Whatever they don't take goes to auction.

I'm not thrilled with the idea of giving the collections to that organization you mention. 

Candace Perry
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Lori Tomlinson 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2001 6:28 PM
  Subject: Collections Dilemma


  Hello all. 

  I am seeking your advice.  I am the director of a small history/natural 
  history museum.  I have finally convinced my board that we need to make our 
  collections management a top priority.  The collections have been neglected 
  for years... improperly accessioned (or not accessioned at all), improperly 
  stored, many items having no relation to our mission.  Most are kept in 
  off-site in two storage units, for which we pay monthly rent.   

  I have been approached by an emerging non-profit organization (historical 
  exhibit producers; official non profit status is pending) to take the bulk of 
  the non-related items from us as a donation.  In turn, they will donate the 
  items to other organizations, trade for other artifacts, or sell outright to 
  anyone willing to buy.  I am afraid that this organization will not follow 
  AAM standards in all their transactions (such as using the proceeds from 
  artifact sales to purchase more artifacts, or to care for their current 
  collections).  Knowing this, do we take the easy way out, saving countless 
  hours trying to find takers for the items ourselves, or take the time to 
  distribute items ourselves, making every possible effort to ensure as many 
  items as possible are kept in the public trust?  Note that we have a small 
  staff (4) and that much of the work to distribute artifacts would fall to 
  myself and any board members I can get to help.  Also, we are working toward 
  AAM accreditation in the next 4 - 5 years. 

  A Frazzled Director