Bernice - Many thanks for restoring "permanent" to your definition! Peter Tirrell At 3:01 PM +1100 11/10/03, Bernice Murphy.com.au wrote: >Responding to Milton Bloch (Friday 7 Nov 03 ) and request to Gary Edson >(responding to your message Friday 7 Nov 03): > >Dear Milton and Gary, >As I remarked to colleagues in my last message offered to the ICOM-L list, >I also have had my own regrets each time I saw definition #1 again - that I >had let the word "permanent" fall away in my effort to get the definition >as short as possible. > >In fact my second (current) version is both shorter and slightly improves >the conceptual arrangement of what I proposed at first. I also believe - >having reflected on other opinions offered - that whatever new definition >is finally adopted, it should not be soft, abstract or vague, but clear and >strong. I stress 'strong' . > >I do believe "permanent" is better restored. > >Therefore my final request, Gary, is: > >>Suggestion #1 to include 'permanent' and therefore to read: >>Museums are permanent institutions that serve society by promoting knowledge, >>appreciation and conservation of the natural world and the cultural and >>scientific heritage of humanity through collections, memories, sites and >>processes they care for, research, and interpret for public benefit. > >Responding once more to Hans-Christoph von Imhoff (Thursday 6 Nov >03).....and reference to Peter Tyrell's message earlier (Mon. 3 Nov 03): > >You are right, Hans-Christoph, and I thank your for raising it: I did >misunderstand Peter Tyrell's earlier reference, reading his message >quickly, and assumed 'document' to be used as a noun. >But I confirm that it IS very commonly used in English also as a verb. > >However I continue to be of the view that this important function - of >'documenting' collections - is covered by the nuances of two terms already >used in the suggestion I have offered: > >1. 'care for': if we work with the public's already well-developed ideas >about museums, 'care for' includes making good arrangements and good >records of things that come into museums' control, temporarily or permanently; >2. 'research': again arouses existing public knowledge about museums - >which generally includes the idea that research would involve books >(libraries) and record-keeping. > >Therefore I would still prefer to view 'documenting' as covered implicitly, >and not wish to push it up to be included in the main definition. >However, by restoring 'permanent' Peter T would no doubt be pleased, given >his concern about this value appearing clearly. >Thank you for your comments. >Bernice Murphy > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - > >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