Please excuse the cross-postings.

The use of proceeds is a controversial aspect of deaccessioning.  A
number of organizations have adopted policies regarding the use of funds
from deaccessioning including AAM, AAMD, AASLH, ICOM and RC-AAM.  While
most policies state that proceeds should be used solely for acquisitions,
the AAM Code of Ethics, adopted in 1994, states that "proceeds from the
sale of ... collections...in no event shall be used for anything other
than acquisitions or DIRECT CARE of collections."

My question is how do/would you define direct care?  If seems that many
institutions define it as the preservation or maintenance of existing
collections.  Others, however, apply funds to other means such as
collections related positions.  Perhaps one of the most publicized and
debated cases is when the Shelburne Museum deaccessioned items and
established a restricted Collections Care Endowment.

I would really appreciate hearing from all of you regarding the issue of
direct care:
        What activities do you think would fall under the category of
direct care?
        Does your institution have a policy regarding the use of funds
from deaccessioning?  If so, what does it say?
        Do you know of any interesting cases regarding the use of funds
from deaccessioning?

Any comments would be appreciated - this topic has peaked my interest and
I am hoping to provide some information for the upcoming RC-WR workshop
on deaccessioning before the upcoming WMA conference.

Thank you in advance for your insights.

Melissa Heyman
Curator, Campbell Historical Museum
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(408) 866-2119

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