[NHCOLL-L:2786] Examples of risks of object or data loss

[Robert Waller]

The Canadian Conservation Institute is planning a publication on
preservation of museum collections. A section of this publication describes
the agents of deterioration that cause damage \and losses to cultural
property. We are writing to you now to ask for your help in identifying as
fully as possible, the diversity of specific problems that fall within an
agent that has variously been termed "custodial neglect", "loss", or
"dissociation".  This agent gathers together all ways that data are
dissociated from objects and collections and that objects are dissociated
from collections and institutions that are not the result of criminal
activity (dealt with elsewhere).  

 

The following are examples of issues that would fit into this category: 

*	Misfiling of objects with consequent inability to relocate 
*	Objects confiscated due to lack of permits for
import/export/transfer
*	Objects lost due to failure to assure legal title transfer 
*	Value of sacred objects diminished by contact with non-sanctioned
persons 
*	Linkage of object to provenance data lost 
*	Mixing of samples from separate sample lots 
*	Dissociation of unique data on labels from objects 
*	Failure to migrate digital information to current hardware and
software systems


We would very much like to add your ideas to this list to help us ensure we
are being comprehensive in defining the issues. Do you have anything to add
to this list? Can you help in better defining the terms we have used? Is
there a more general or clearer structure for this kind of activity? Do you
have concrete examples of any of these issues you can share?  Do you have
particular insights into mitigating the risk of dissociation you would share
with us?

Please respond to rwaller at mus-nature.ca <mailto:rwaller at mus-nature.ca>  and
pcato at sdnhm.og <mailto:pcato at sdnhm.og> .

 

Thank you,

Robert Waller and Paisley Cato

 

 

Robert Waller, Ph.D.
Chief, Conservation
Chef de conservation 

Musée canadien de la nature/Canadian Museum of Nature
C.P. 3443, Succ. D              /P.O. Box 3443, Stn D
Ottawa, ON
K1P 1P4 

Tel.:  (613)566-4797
Fax:  (613)364-4027
 <mailto:rwaller at mus-nature.ca> rwaller at mus-nature.ca

 

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