[Nhcoll-l] Educational collections

[Pellegrini, Rodrigo]

Hello everyone,

The NJSM is tightening its collection policies and records, and the issue of our educational collection came up. We're a multi-specialty museum, with 4 collecting bureaus: Archeology/Ethnography, Natural History, Cultural History and Fine Arts.
Only Archeology/Ethnography and Natural History have educational collections, and I've been asked to formalize a policy for them (with the understanding that most objects in these collections are to be handled multiple times on a daily basis by visitors, and we expect them to deteriorate in the process).
I recall a similar discussion/question in this list serve a few months ago, but I can't remember or find any finished policies being posted.
Would anybody whose institutions have drafted a collections policy for their "hands-on" educational collections kindly send me a copy for review?
I would also be very interested in any comments and suggestions you may have regarding the subject and formalizing it. It is my understanding that since these objects are expected to deteriorate, most institutions (certainly all I have ever worked for) have treated them informally (no real museum records kept save for an inventory).

Thank you all for your time.
Regards,

Rod


[cid:image001.jpg at 01CF4F44.E7C7B8B0]
Rodrigo Pellegrini, MA, MS
Registrar, Natural History Bureau
New Jersey State Museum
205 W. State St.
PO Box 530
Trenton, NJ 08625-0530
USA

Voice: (609) 292-5615 (office)
       (609) 826-3924 (laboratory)
       (609) 826-5449 (storage)
Fax: (609) 292-7636
E-mail: Rodrigo.Pellegrini at sos.state.nj.us
Website: www.newjerseystatemuseum.org
Blog: http://njstatemuseum.blogspot.com/

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