[Nhcoll-l] Question about collection sizes

[Howe, Michael P.A.]

Chris,

The Geological Curators’ Group publishes “The State and Status of Geological Collections in United Kingdom Museums” – the latest from 2001 -   https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.geocurator.org_arch_Curator_Vol8No3.pdf&d=AwIGaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=mnr4V6HNbGAfWOf3d-BmrZwp_m1c-DcZA2X9AGy4NiI&s=OFo-u9OYQJpCzaQqJ7IKgMy_7Xcs8UXJI-1dqholPv4&e= 
This has a wealth of information about the size of geological collections in the UK.

Dr Mike Howe
Chief Curator
Head of the National Geological Repository

Phone: 0115 9363105  Email: mhowe at bgs.ac.uk
WSB UGN  - British Geological Survey
Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG



Fothergill, H. 2005. ‘The state and status of geological collections in United Kingdom museums: 2001’ The Geological Curator 8(3): 53–136.
          The Geological Curators’ Group, established in 1974, undertook a survey in 1981 investigating the ‘State and Status of Geology in United Kingdom Museums’. This survey, the first of its kind, set out to provide a snap-shot impression of how the nation’s geological collections were cared for, regarded, used and housed. It allowed the Geological Curators’ Group to focus its members’ efforts, influencing, where possible, policy decisions regarding the future of many ‘at risk’ collections and assisting museums in need to specialist curatorial advice. In 2001 it was felt that more than enough time had elapsed since the original survey, and that there was a need to repeat the process, explore other areas of museum management, care and use of collections and compare, where able, the results from the two surveys 20 years apart.
         With access to new funding opportunities, museums have expanded and in some cases changed beyond all recognition. More funding appears to be available to all, but with 45% of respondees listing lack of staff time or expertise as their biggest ‘threat’, will the ‘new’ curators or collection managers be able to dedicate the resources to chasing these elusive funding streams and proving that they are meeting targets and performance indicators whilst maintaining often historically and scientifically important collections? The United Kingdom has a unique history in the field of geological curation and collections, with many museums holding collections and specimens of un-recognised scientific and historical value. Should the heritage and culture community feel confidence in their continued care? What problems do we, the curators, perceive with the current ‘State and Status’ of the collections we hold in trust?
         The ‘State and Status of Geological Collections in United Kingdom Museums: 2001’ report provides another ‘snap-shot’ of the UK’s collections and explores how the position of these collections has changed in 20 years.





From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Christopher Kemp
Sent: 11 December 2015 14:40
To:
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Question about collection sizes

Dear All,
Just gathering some data about collection sizes. I know many of you are curators, so I'd be really interested to know how many specimens (approx) you oversee in your specialty, wherever you are. Especially include anything that makes it superlative in some way. It would be really nice in my book to provide some specific figures, along the lines of: The ichthyology collection at X contains more than X specimens; or At the X Museum of Natural History, the entomology collection includes the largest single collection of mosquitoes, containing more than X specimens, and some as old as X; or something like that. Some specifics. Information that would boggle the minds of readers who only think about what is on display when they visit museums.
You know what I mean? Hope some of you are willing to play along.
Best,
--ck

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