Hi Mary, At the Performing Arts Museum we are reviewing our collecting policy (includes deaccessioning policy). It is still in the "draft" form, but the beginnings have been implemented as a test run. The deaccessioning issue has really arisen on a practical level from the Computer Cataloguing Project. As we catalogue collections, some of the material presently held is being questioned. A form has been developed for the questionable material. As each question on the form is answered, points are alloted. Out of 100 points, the object has to achieve 50 or above to validate its remaining in the collection (copy of form below). If the object does not obtain a score of 50, it is then worth seriously questionning its place in the collection and more research into the original acuqisition of that item is done. If it is then decided that we *do* want to deaccession the item, there is a cooling off period and a note of documentation and justification must be written for the file. The method of deaccessioning also depends on how we acquired it in the first place (given elsewhere, sale, disposal) It is these later procedures that still need to be nutted out and are very dependent on how we got it in the first place. At this stage we are identifying items, using the form, but nothing has actually been deaccessioned. I must emphasize that I think there are some serious assumptions in the form that need addressing and that the process isn't as cut and dry as the form system might make it look. THE ALLOCATION OF POINTS DOES NOT DECIDE WHETHER WE KEEP THE OBJECT. The human element always does have to be considered. As I say, its only in draft form. Any comments would be gratefully received. Performing Arts Museum Deaccession Assessment Form Object name Registration No. Rating: Does the object fit in with the collection policy? yes 50 No 0 Is this a duplicate yes 0 no 5 Is this a mass produced Item? yes 0 no 5 Physical condition good 5 fair 3 poor 0 Conservation needed? No 5 yes under$500 2 yes over $500 0 Is it oversized? yes 0 no 5 Special storage required? no 5 yes under $100 2 yes over $100 0 Conditions attached to donation? yes 0 no 5 Support documentation? yes 5 no 0 Authenticity (has it been verified?) yes 5 no 0 Does the museum have proof of ownership? yes 5 no 0 TOTAL NO OF POINTS: Claudia **************************************************************************** ************************ Claudia Funder Registrar Performing Arts Museum Victorian Arts Centre 100 St. Kilda Road VIC 3004 Australia [log in to unmask] **************************************************************************** ************************