Table of Contents
Illustrations xi
Foreword xv
Acknowledgments and Photography Credits xviii
Introduction xix
Chapter 1 What Is Collection Management? 3
Implementing a Management System 3
Goals, Inventories, and Collection Policies 4
Identifying the Type, Scope, and Purpose of Your Collection 4
Making an Inventory 7
Creating Your Collection Policy 8
Deciding Who Has Access 9
Organizational Systems 13
General Organizational Systems Examples 13
Accessory Storage Systems Examples 22
Chapter 2 Record Keeping 40
Cataloguing 40
Computer Databases 42
Managing the Records 47
Numbering 48
Lexicon 49
Dating Objects 53
Measurements 54
Visual Images 55
Colors 58
Records Maintenance 60
Labeling 61
Labels 61
Tags 63
Bar Coding 67
Acquiring and Accessioning 69
Internal Revenue Service (IRS/Tax Services) 71
Deaccessioning 73
Chapter 3 Controlling the Environment 79
First Aid for Collections 79
Basic Preservation Techniques 80
Causes of Deterioration 80
What You Can Do to Help 81
A Word about Fabric Care 85
Space Concerns 87
Hanging versus Boxing versus Rolling 89
Disaster Plans and Prevention 96
Security and Theft 96
Earthquake, Fire, and Flood 99
Integrated Pest Management 107
Insurance Issues 111
Tips on Filing an Insurance Claim If Disaster Strikes 114
Appraisals and Valuations 117
Chapter 4 Exhibitions and Display 112
Accessibility and Accommodating the Public 112
Lending Your Collection 125
Shipping, Customs, and Insurance 127
Condition Reports 128
Props for Display 132
The Angels Project 133
Summary and Your Checklist of Progress 134
Appendix 1 Useful Resources: Suppliers, Conservation, and General Information and Databases 137
Appendix 2 Forms You Can Use 143
Glossary 151
Select Bibliography 159
Index 163