[BCMA] Public Inventory Review - Deaccessioning - Disposing

Wed Mar 11 12:20:08 PDT 2020

Hi Cuyler

For the past number of years, we have been doing a similar process. I feel that ongoing communication and transparency is a vital part of the process, as quite quickly groups arise that can [and do] see the process as secretive or being done in a manner that serves purposes other than heritage concerns. An atmosphere of mistrust can develop if there isn't transparency and buy-in from the start and is ongoing. There can be stressors placed on staff, on board members and on the public.

I used an article by the Cultural Heritage Agency: Assessing Museum Collections [attached] as the basis for developing an assessment protocol. The protocol actualizes the collection plan in the assessment of items on a case by case basis. This way, the item is uniquely valued in a standardized manner against the collection plan, using vectors that consider  physical characteristics/ conservation needs and the organizational ability to continue to care for the item; the way that the object illustrates the history of the area; and its potential future use. We can compare like items for a rank ordering of value to the purposes of the organization. It is time consuming, but I've found that it points out any gaps in our knowledge base, and provides a way to make future decisions about resource allocation and access to the item by the public. The findings are presented to a standing committee who can either provide agreement to recommendations for retention/removal, or assist in filling those knowledge gaps. As the final decision comes from a committee, they act as advocates for the process.

If you want to discuss the process further and take a look at our assessment protocol, I'd be happy to do so.

Darryl MacKenzie | Curator, Delta Cultural Services
Parks, Recreation and Culture | The City of Delta
p. 604.952.3837| c. 778.231.0504

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Subject: [BCMA] Public Inventory Review - Deaccessioning - Disposing

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Greetings All,

We are considering a public process for Artefact Collection review, accessioning/deaccessioning, and disposal.   I would appreciate any comments and suggestions you may have to offer.

The format would be to gradually, shelf by shelf, bring items from our overstuffed Collection shelves out into our public gathering space (which we now call The Community Hall).   The intent is to make it a social public time for seeing the artefacts from the shelves, providing enjoyment and seeking public comments and reminiscences.   It would  allow the things to be seen by anyone interested who might wish to participate in the process of assessment as we thin the Collection.   The final decisions will always be made by the qualified staff, but public input will be encouraged.

One aspect would be an informal social time, setting a weekly day and time ( such as Wednesday 10 am to 12) and having coffee and tea available.   The artefacts to be considered would be out of reach but visible on tables.   Anyone from the public would be welcome to attend and offer comments about what to keep and what to not keep.   They could witness how we handle artefacts as museum professionals but also see the things up close.

Another aspect would be to promote the Museum in the greater community by visibly doing something novel, yet perfectly related to our mission.   It would provide an opportunity through media to inform the general public about what the museum does, aside from spending taxpayer dollars.   We are seeking to make the Museum a more active part of community life.   This would be a way to share what we do in the back rooms,  and not just exhibits on display.   What we have and how it got here would be made evident, and what we desire to have would become evident.    The challenges of storage would become evident.  The aspect of Research would be demonstrated through practical work.   The whole point of doing this in public is public education about the Museum.   Besides, we all know how much fun it is to roam the artefact collections for their curiosities and novelties, but most of us only get to enjoy that because of personal back room access.

Since we are currently totally overcrowded by "things" on the shelves, something must be done.  I recall that some years ago, the Chilliwack Museum carried out a semi-public deaccessioning process, and that Ron Denman published a paper describing the thorough research and legal advice they engaged with at that time.  Does anyone have that to share?

1)       Is there a threat that public deaccessioning might discourage people from donating artefacts?

2)      Might people lose confidence in the Museum as a place of long term preservation of artefacts?

3)      Might the Museum come into disrepute?

4)      What might counter that possibility?

5)      Is it a good idea to do the work in public view, or should it be kept in secret in the back room?

6)      Can public engagement and education be achieved by this method?

7)      What have you done in this regard?

The Museum is currently participating in the process of developing a new civic cultural centre, combining the Art Gallery, Museum, and a small Theatre in a new purpose-built downtown building.   This is a perfect time to boost public involvement in the Museum as we seek project support and public advice about the future of the Museum.

Through this public process of examination and decision, we might experience something of the first public museum (was it in Bonn?) in which the collection of objects was kept on organized shelves near the entry where anyone could look at them, but the important public part of the building was the Lecture Theatre, a platformed circular room like the more recent medical demonstration theatres, where the public could gather to watch and comment as experts examined objects of interest on a central table, seeking to classify them and discover their nature.

Your comments and experiences will be greatly appreciated.

Cuyler Page
Curator
Greater Vernon Museum & Archives
Vernon, BC

(250) 309-9248
cuylerbassoon at gmail.com<mailto:cuylerbassoon at gmail.com>

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