I am writing a paper on deaccessioning practices in history museums in the United States for my Museum Methods class and was wondering whether anyone out there could respond to an informal survey: 1) When did your museum first develop a written deaccessioning procedure? What prompted it? 2) Would you be willing to send me a copy of your institution's policy on deaccessioning? 3) I have come across examples of state-run institutions that cannot dispose of objects by any means other than destruction because of restrictions on the sale or donation of state property. Is this the case nationwide? Do museums operated by the federal government have these restrictions? (I know the Smithsonian does not.) 4) Would anyone be willing to share (anonymously or otherwise) examples of deaccessioning episodes that did not go well? Alternatively, does anyone have examples of deaccessioning at its best? Any feedback will be appreciated! Replies requested by April 15, 1994. Carolyn M. Brady 4823 F Covered Bridge RD Indianapolis, IN 46268 |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| CAROLYN M. BRADY | [log in to unmask] | GRADUATE PROGRAM IN PUBLIC HISTORY |___________________________| INDIANA UNIVERSITY AT INDIANAPOLIS