Collections
Management
Plan
Management
Plan
After identifying problems, goals and objectives can be identified. What are goals and objectives?
Goal: something to achieve; broad, overarching, the end product
Objective: smaller steps to reach a goal
What are the four types of collections caregivers?
Registrar, Curator, Collections manager, Conservator
What is cataloging?
A curatorial function that is object-specific and used to classify objects methodically in descriptive detail. It is not a legal transaction.
_________ of the collection is required prior to any deaccessioning activity.
Inventory
What is collections planning?
An integrated institutionalized project that is oriented towards the collection and used to implement a collections plan.
What are the 3 steps in creating a Collections Management Plan?
1) Define scope of the plan (one collection or entire holdings).
2) Evaluate the needs assessment.
3) Records of assessment.
True or False:
The Collections Management Policy should be tied to the mission statement to help address both short and long term effects of collecting.
True
What is a condition report? When should a condition report first be completed for an object?
A detailed description of an object and its state of preservation in that moment in time. Should be completed at time of acquisition, and also applies to loans.
What are the two forms of divestment?
Deaccession and disposal
What should be considered when building the intellectual framework of a collections plan?
The guiding principles for the institution - institution-specific document (mission, vision, etc.)
What is the museum's purpose for collecting?
What is the intended use for collecting?
Who is the audience?
What is the Collections Management Plan?
a written document that implements the Collections Management Policy and gives the procedures to target collections
What is the Collections Management Policy?
a written document that governs care over the current collection; is required for AAM accreditation
What is the purpose of an accession number?
To document museum ownership or stewardship.
What are the 3 ethical aspects of deaccession that are to be laid out in the Collections Management Policy?
Criteria for deaccession, selection process, and disposal.
*Deaccessioning is a legal action, disposal is not. Deaccessioning is an institutional decision.
What is the Collections Plan?
a written document that looks to the future and is geared toward the ideal collection
*AKA: collections development plan, collections strategic plan
What is the difference between a timeline and a timeframe?
Timeline is overall (ex: 5-7yrs).
Timeframe is specific to a task.
When is the correct time to decide the long-term acceptance and cost of accessioning an object?
At time of acquisition
What is an FIC and how should it be handled?
Found in collection object - legally, FIC object is abandoned property and it is not legal for a museum to accession until the museum has gone through the procedures to establish claim. An institution must prove an object has been in the museum's possession for the timeframe to begin. Texas has a 15 year minimum with no contact from the donor.
What are the 4 methods of disposal?
Transfer/exchange, Sale, Repatriation, Destruction
Taboo 5th method: return to donor
*Disposal is the actual, physical removal of an object from the collection.
How does a collections plan define the philosophy of collections?
Sets collecting priorities/goals, is based on the mission and scope of collections, provides intellectual control over the collection by addressing significance, and provides better focus for more disciplined collecting. Implements the change from passive collecting to active collecting.
What is the purpose of a needs assessment?
It is the foundation of the Collections Management Plan, and helps understand basic knowledge about the collection, then determine priority needs and allocation of resources along with a timeline tied to the tasks involved and monitor progress.
What is "divestment?"
A legal activity that involves transferring ownership of an object or collection to another party.
Is accessioning a legal matter?
Yes. Accessions are the museum's first legal step in addressing objects.
What is the goal of deaccessioning?
Combat previous haphazard collecting and minimize this activity in the future.
*Encourages active collecting over passive collecting.
What is intellectual framework and intellectual control?
Intellectual framework is the rationale of current collections and future collecting and is broad, while intellectual control defines how and why we collect, and the context and significance of what we have collected.