Hello All, Do any of your collections policies include a category for accessioned artifacts that receive regular use? This is different from a hands-on or educational-use category, in which the objects are understood to be eventually expendable. This category would include things that will be preserved but for practical reasons must also be used. Our museum has some large accessioned pieces that are considered permanent collection, but are used in the galleries either by staff or visitors. One example is a clock, another is a piano. We've just acquired a large dining table that would also fall into this category if we decide to accession it into the permanent collection. As we update our collections policy we want it to reflect the reality of how these things are used, and include a category that recognizes this "gray area" between permanent-collection-preservation and hands-on-use. I'd be grateful to know how other policies have addressed this. With thanks, Sharon Clothier Curator of Decorative Arts Oshkosh Public Museum (920) 236-5776 www.oshkoshmuseum.org <http://www.oshkoshmuseum.org> ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).