We have several types of collections.  The descriptions below are from our Collections Management Policy:

 

Permanent Collection:  Objects that have been acquired over time to meet the Society’s mission.  Objects in the permanent collection are considered the most significant part of the Society’s holdings and as such receive the highest level of care and control.  The objects in the permanent collection are also referred to as accessioned objects.  Examples of objects in the permanent collection include (but are not limited to) museum artifacts, manuscripts, rare books, and the Swan House.

 

Non-accessioned Collections:  Objects that have not been accessioned into the permanent collection but have exhibition or research value.  Non-accessioned objects are tracked and monitored; however, they do not receive the same level of care as objects in the permanent collection.  Examples of non-accessioned objects include (but are not limited to) tools and cookware in use at Tullie Smith Farm, general collection library books, and exhibition props.

 

Education Collection:  Material that has not been accepted into the permanent collection or any of the non-accessioned collections may be transferred to the Education Department for use by students, educational outreach programs, summer camp, and other interactive educational activities.  These objects are considered consumables and are discarded when used up or worn beyond usefulness.

 

 

We track both the Permanent and Non-accessioned collections in our collections databases.  There is a long, rigorous deaccession procedure to remove pieces from the permanent collection.  Non-accessioned material can be removed with a simple staff committee approval.  Living collections (gardens, farm animals) have their own separate procedures. 

 

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Hi Sharon,

 

We have a “permanent” collection with a sub-category of “for use” .  These items include machinery such as a steam engine taken for demonstration, a car that the donor wanted to remain in operating condition and items like that.  All are given the prefix  “X” before the accession number to indicate they are used.  Records are kept on all changes made to the items to keep them in operating condition.  And we also have a hands-on teaching collection which is considered to be disposable.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Debra Hughes

 

Curator of Collections and Exhibits

Hagley Museum and Library

P.O. Box 3630

Wilmington, DE 19807

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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

 

 

 

 

 

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