Gary, You have taken this a further step and I think you have it. I personally support adding "that serves the public" to be important, as well as the broadening of terms such as "scientific" which gives greater depth than the latest version. BRAVO. John ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Edson" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 8:30 AM Subject: Definition of a Museum > Colleagues: > > There has been an amount of discussion about the following definition: > > "Museums are permanent institutions that conserve and communicate knowledge > of the natural world and the cultural inheritance of humanity through > collections, records, memories, images, and sites they care for, research > and interpret, in public trust, for present and future generations." > > Some have suggested an expanded version and other have recommended deletion > of words. The discussion appears to be following a very traditional > approach to the concept of a museum. Is this a direction ICOM should be > going or is it time to take a more farsighted view of museum and museum > activities? > > Regarding the above definition are we creating a situation that will > eventually result in a further listing of variables by identifying > "collections, records, memories, images, and sites"? Are all those aspects > of a museum (except possibly sites) not collections? > > A recently suggested definition that take an approach that may be considered > follows: > > "A museum is an institution that serves the public interest through > education, collaboration, communication, or research about social, cultural, > or scientific issues expressed as objects, specimens, or activities." > > As a word of information: Much of our discussion has been in English, and > this is an issue about which I have concern. I will provide French and > Spanish translations of parts of this discussion as I can. However, one > drawback with the an e-mail is lack of time to allow translations between > exchanges. To our French and Spanish speaking colleagues I apologize for > this situation and thank you for your understanding. > > Gary Edson > > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > > Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the > archives at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html > - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Change ICOM-L subscription options, unsubscribe, and search the archives at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/icom-l.html