Museum Collections Management
A Handbook
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 23. May 2011
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-85604-701-2 (ISBN)
Description
This landmark publication is the first to draw together all aspects of museum collections management in one handbook. It is designed for anyone with responsibility for a cultural collection and covers everything a collections manager needs to know. It describes professional practice in managing cultural objects and works of art, whatever the size and nature of the collection.
The book includes essential information on:
Legal aspects of collections
Ethical issues such as due diligence and immunity from seizure
Up to date concerns such as sustainability, crossing borders and financial constraints
Loans, acquisitions, inventory and movement.
The book describes all collections management procedures in a simple step-by-step process and is clear and easy to use with all procedures based on international museum practice. Examples of real forms, policies and documents drawn from major museums are included throughout the text and act as guides for any transaction.
Readership: Packed full of practical information, advice and good practice, this will be essential reading for all museum professionals, curators of private collections and museum studies students.
The book includes essential information on:
Legal aspects of collections
Ethical issues such as due diligence and immunity from seizure
Up to date concerns such as sustainability, crossing borders and financial constraints
Loans, acquisitions, inventory and movement.
The book describes all collections management procedures in a simple step-by-step process and is clear and easy to use with all procedures based on international museum practice. Examples of real forms, policies and documents drawn from major museums are included throughout the text and act as guides for any transaction.
Readership: Packed full of practical information, advice and good practice, this will be essential reading for all museum professionals, curators of private collections and museum studies students.
Reviews / Votes
"...an excellent up-to-date resource for collection managers and other people working and aspiring to work in the cultural heritage sector. It is a book that every museum should have in the office." - Managing Information "This is an important and useful book. Our copy arrived yesterday and already I've found it useful! It's careful, comprehensive and above all, well-evidenced." - Dr Samuel J M M Alberti "This book brings together all the fundamentals of collections management in an easy-to-read, accessible format (or guide?) - an essential reference book for all museums." - Diane Gwilt "...an excellent up-to-date resource for collection managers and other people working and aspiring to work in the cultural heritage sector. It is a book that every museum should have in the office." -- Managing Information "This is an important and useful book. Our copy arrived yesterday and already I've found it useful! It's careful, comprehensive and above all, well-evidenced." -- Samuel J M M Alberti "This book brings together all the fundamentals of collections management in an easy-to-read, accessible format (or guide?) - an essential reference book for all museums." -- Diane GwiltMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Professional Practice & Development
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 24 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
418 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85604-701-2 (9781856047012)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2011
1st Edition
Facet Publishing
from
€81.79
Available for download
Person
Freda Matassa FRSA MA(Hons) DipAL DipEd is a wellknown UK expert on collections management who advises, teaches and lectures internationally. Former Head of Collections Management at the Tate Gallery and co-founder of the European Registrars Conference, she is expert adviser on several European projects for museum standards and to the Minister of Culture on immunity from seizure. She was recently named one of the Top 50 Women to Watch in the arts.
Content
PART 1: COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT: OVERVIEW AND PRINCIPLES1. What is collections management?
Fundamentals
Know what you have and where to find it
A brief history
An international perspective
Summary
References
2. Legal requirements
Fundamentals
Artists' resale rights
Copyright
Customs and excise
CITES and cultural objects
Cultural goods and taxation in the UK
Immunity from seizure
Summary
References
3. Ethical considerations
Fundamentals
Deaccessioning and disposal
Due diligence
Provenance
Summary
References
4. Practical aspects
Fundamentals of collection care
Risk management
Insurance and indemnity
Security
Emergency response
Summary
References
PART 2: COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT: PROCESSES5. Documentation
Fundamentals
Policy
Procedures
Information systems
Documentation plan
Cataloguing
Marking and labelling
Condition reports
Inventories
Retrospective documentation
Summary
References
6. Movement
Fundamentals
Moving objects within a building
Handling
Planning and risk assessment for moves
Procedures
Equipment
External moves
Planning and risk assessment
Packing for transport
Transport
Documentation
Summary
References
7. Storage
Fundamentals
Storage buildings
Storage systems
Environmental conditions
Inventory
Hazardous materials
Integrated pest management (IPM)
Summary
References
8. Acquisitions
Fundamentals
Policy
Legal and ethical requirements
Contract
Procedures
Collections impact
Catalogue information
Provenance
Shared or co-owned works
Fractional gifts
Multiple copies, editioned works and e-media
Commissions
Unclaimed loans and unwanted gifts
Summary
References
9. Loans
Fundamentals
Rights and responsibilities
Loans policy
Due diligence for loans
Loans procedure
Facilities report
Conditions of loan
Valuations
Loan agreement
Insurance and indemnity
Long-term loans
Condition inspection
Couriers
Packing and transport
Return
Documentation for loans
Summary
References
10. Exhibitions and displays
Fundamentals
Due diligence policy for loans
Installation
In-house displays
Loans in
Exhibitions
Insurance
Travelling exhibitions
Exhibition costs
Summary
References
11. Access
Fundamentals
Options for providing access
Policy
Risk assessment
Study rooms
Access to stores
Virtual access
Summary
References
Bibliography
Fundamentals
Know what you have and where to find it
A brief history
An international perspective
Summary
References
2. Legal requirements
Fundamentals
Artists' resale rights
Copyright
Customs and excise
CITES and cultural objects
Cultural goods and taxation in the UK
Immunity from seizure
Summary
References
3. Ethical considerations
Fundamentals
Deaccessioning and disposal
Due diligence
Provenance
Summary
References
4. Practical aspects
Fundamentals of collection care
Risk management
Insurance and indemnity
Security
Emergency response
Summary
References
PART 2: COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT: PROCESSES5. Documentation
Fundamentals
Policy
Procedures
Information systems
Documentation plan
Cataloguing
Marking and labelling
Condition reports
Inventories
Retrospective documentation
Summary
References
6. Movement
Fundamentals
Moving objects within a building
Handling
Planning and risk assessment for moves
Procedures
Equipment
External moves
Planning and risk assessment
Packing for transport
Transport
Documentation
Summary
References
7. Storage
Fundamentals
Storage buildings
Storage systems
Environmental conditions
Inventory
Hazardous materials
Integrated pest management (IPM)
Summary
References
8. Acquisitions
Fundamentals
Policy
Legal and ethical requirements
Contract
Procedures
Collections impact
Catalogue information
Provenance
Shared or co-owned works
Fractional gifts
Multiple copies, editioned works and e-media
Commissions
Unclaimed loans and unwanted gifts
Summary
References
9. Loans
Fundamentals
Rights and responsibilities
Loans policy
Due diligence for loans
Loans procedure
Facilities report
Conditions of loan
Valuations
Loan agreement
Insurance and indemnity
Long-term loans
Condition inspection
Couriers
Packing and transport
Return
Documentation for loans
Summary
References
10. Exhibitions and displays
Fundamentals
Due diligence policy for loans
Installation
In-house displays
Loans in
Exhibitions
Insurance
Travelling exhibitions
Exhibition costs
Summary
References
11. Access
Fundamentals
Options for providing access
Policy
Risk assessment
Study rooms
Access to stores
Virtual access
Summary
References
Bibliography