[NHCOLL-L:2737] Re: FW: Registrar vs. Collections Manager vs. Curator of Collections

[Mark O'Brien]

The other difference is that natural history and fine arts and cultural 
museums use these terms differently.  Collections Managers in NH 
museums identify, sort, research and evaluate specimens/objects as well 
as making sure that these things are properly cared for, stored, and 
catalogued.    Registrars in NH museums tend to be the ones  
responsible for the paperwork, permits,  etc.,  and management 
resulting from research use of the collections and their applied uses.  
Cataloguing may or may not be a part of their jobs.  One thing that has 
to be stressed is that if one is merely copying data from a card or 
form into an electronic medium, we have to hope that the entry is 
accurate.  However, what is different with biological specimens is that 
someone, at sometime, had to identify the specimens that are being 
databased.  Being able to interpret the validity and accuracy of the 
identification (or in fact doing the ID)  is something that Collection 
Managers do, not Registrars, and that is one large difference, IMHO.

On Jun 23, 2005, at 3:45 PM, Diane Gutenkauf wrote:

>
> More from the Registrar's list that might be helpful.
>  
> Diane Gutenkauf
>
> From: Registrars Committee of the AAM 
> [mailto:RCAAM at SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU] On Behalf Of Gibson, Cecelia
> Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 1:44 PM
> To: RCAAM at SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU
> Subject: Re: Registrar vs. Collections Manager vs. Curator of 
> Collections
>
> Hi Pamela,
>  
> I have found that these titles are used differently at each 
> institution.  Quite often they are one in the same, but to me a 
> Registrar is someone who is responsible for the management of the 
> records associated with the object, both paper and electronic.  I see 
> a Collections Manager as the person responsible for the physical care 
> and preservation of the objects.  They make sure the objects are safe 
> and secure whether in storage or on display.  And finally, I see the 
> Curator of Collections as the person responsible for the contextual 
> development of the objects.  I hope this helps and I look forward to 
> reading what other people’s opinions on the subject are.
>  
> Cecelia
>  
>  
> Cecelia Gibson
> Exhibitions Registrar
> National Building Museum
> 401 F Street, NW
> Washington, DC 20001
> (202) 272-2448 ext. 3103
> Fax. (202) 272-2011
> www.nbm.org
>   
>
> From: Registrars Committee of the AAM 
> [mailto:RCAAM at SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU] On Behalf Of Pamela Elbe
> Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 1:45 PM
> To: RCAAM at SI-LISTSERV.SI.EDU
> Subject: Registrar vs. Collections Manager vs. Curator of Collections
>  
> I have a pretty basic question for everyone out there.
>  
> What is the difference (duties-wise) between a registrar, collections 
> manager, and curator of collections?  We’ve gone through some staff 
> changes recently and will be updating some museum policies soon and I 
> want to be certain that my title appropriately reflects what I do.
>  
> Thanks in advance for your assistance!
>  
>  
> Pamela Elbe
> Collections Manager and Archivist
> National Museum of American Jewish Military History
> 1811 R St. NW, Washington DC   20009
> p: 202.265.6280 x201
> f: 202.462.3192
> http://www.nmajmh.org
>  
> Don’t miss our new exhibition, Reconnaissance and Recollection: 
> Military and Civilian Photographs from World War II—the photographs of 
> Sy Weinstein.
>  
========================================================
Mark F. O'Brien   <Insert Correct Job Title Here>
UMMZ Insect Division, 1109 Geddes Avenue
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079
734-647-2199    fax: 734-763-4080
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