Here at the Virginia Museum of Natural History, we have a section in our
collections policies that discusses that very issue. Any object that enters
the museum is first reviewed by the appropriate curator. If they decide
that the specimen is appropriate for the permanent research collection, then
they forward it for accession. We have two levels of permanent collections,
the "never touch" stuff (type specimens, rare or unique, etc.) and the "can
be touched." We then have a education/exhibit collection of non-accessioned
material. So, if an object is not accessioned, it is then offered to the
education/exhibit staff for programs.
This process occurs no matter how an object enters the museum. Even if the
original intent of the acquisition was not for accessioning (purchase,
donation, etc.), the curators can still request that it be accessioned if
the specimen merits it. This prevents us from inadvertently placing an
object at risk (say, in a hands-on program) that should be protected from
harm.
Dr. Elizabeth A. Moore, Curator of Collections
Virginia Museum of Natural History
1001 Douglas Avenue
Martinsville, VA 24112
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-----Original Message-----
From: Jenny Yearous <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2000 5:50 PM
Subject: Collections Rating systems
>The State Historical Society of North Dakota is about to consider
>designating artifacts and specimens in its permanent and educational
>collections into categories such as "Permanently Preserve - approved
>research projects only" to "Touchy-Feelies" and things in between such as
>loan objects; docent use, etc.... Does anyone do anything similar and, if
>so, do you have procedures / policies?
>
>Most museums probably have a permanent collection and a "hands-on"
>educational collection (SHSND's is uncataloged and not part of the "museum"
>collections at all). Does anyone have written / standardized procedures or
>polices to determine what potential acquisitions are accessioned into the
>permanent collection as opposed to the educational collections???? Thanks.
>
>Len Thorson, Registrar
>State Historical Society of North Dakota
>North Dakota Heritage Center
>612 East Boulevard Avenue
>Bismarck, ND 58505-0830
>
>[log in to unmask]
>tel: (701)328-2666
>fax: (701)328-3710
>
>http://www.state.nd.us/hist
>
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