I handle photograph, film, library and archive researchers, along with covering other collections managment work for a local history, art, and science museum. 

Our museum has implemented a fee of $30.00 per hour for all requests that take more than one hour.  For other requests, especially those where the person asks for "everything", I try to take the time to contact them directly and ask specific questions about what they would like to know.  In many cases, the "everything" can be narrowed down to a few important questions.  Additionally, I have been compiling a couple of handouts for the general public.  One gives a variety of similar organizations that may have the information in a more readily assessable form.  The other is about how to do one's own research regarding family history, house history, etc. 

While I have not used the "how-to" handouts yet, the organizational one has been helpful.  It has decreased our workload while providing the public with information that they need.  I have found that there have been a number of instances where the patron requesting the information simply does not know how to do it themselves.  Once they learn, many are happy to complete the research on their own.  For those who do not want to do the research, some are happy to pay a fee.

Regardless, I always try to provide guidance since a museum exists with the public's needs in mind.

Jacqueline D. Frank

Recorder

Neville Public Museum of Brown County

210 Museum Place

Green Bay, Wisconsin 54303

448.4460 x 210

[log in to unmask]

www.nevillepublicmuseum.org



 

----Original Message Follows----
From: Julie Holcomb <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Information requests
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 10:48:54 -0500
Please excuse the cross-postings.
We are an art and history museum.  How does your staff handle questions
like, "I have a painting by David Mann and I would like to know
everything about the artist and how much the painting is worth?" or "I
have a letter from my great-uncle who fought in the Civil War and I want
to know everything about him, his regiment, and how much the letter is
worth?"  These are the kinds of general interest questions that are
generated by the types of the collections we hold.
I've been using a 15 minute rule with most of these requests suggesting
that the user come in and do their own research, etc. and of course
always referring them to a reputable appraiser.  My dean has asked
whether 15 minutes is too much given the exponential increase in our
volume - we're facing a two to three month backlog right now.  He wants
to know if there is a polite way to service these types of users without
spending 15 minutes with each and every one.  How does your staff handle
these types of questions?
Your input is appreciated.
Thanks,
Julie
--
Julie Holcomb, MLIS, CA
College and Special Collections Archivist
Pearce Collections at Navarro College
Navarro College Archives
3100 W. Collin St.
Corsicana, Texas 75110
Phone: 903-875-7438 ~ Fax: 903-875-7593
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Internet: http://www.pearcecollections.us/ or
http://www.navarrocollege.edu/library/archives/
"Men make their own history, but they do not make it just as they
please; they do not make it under
circumstances chosen by themselves, but under circumstances directly
found, given, and transmitted
from the past.  The tradition of all the dead generations weighs like a
nightmare on the brain of
the living." Karl Marx, The Eighteenth Brumaire
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