Graduation Date

Summer 2018

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Master of Arts degree with a major in Applied Anthropology

Committee Chair Name

Mary Scoggin

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Marissa Ramsier

Second Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Third Committee Member Name

Marisol Cortes-Rincon

Third Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Museum studies, Collection management, Policy review

Subject Categories

Anthropology

Abstract

A museum exists and is defined primarily by its collection. It is therefore important for a museum to manage its collection effectively while preserving it for long-term use. The size and scope of the museum's collection will determine the complexity of its policy. As such, all museums, including small ones, need a well-defined Collection Management Policy (CMP). This policy outlines what and how to collect, defines the development and use of the collection as well as procedures for the care of the collection, the loaning of items and removing of items from the museum's collection. The Trinidad Museum, a small non-profit museum located in Trinidad California, has no such written policy. The mission of the Trinidad Museum is to collect, preserve and display the history and natural history of Trinidad. Because the Trinidad Museum lacks a CMP they have no standard procedures documenting on what, why and how the museum collects. This has, and without correction will continue to create administrative, legal and ethical problems. The goal of this project is to create a CMP for the Trinidad Museum. Evaluating the problems and needs of the Trinidad Museum the CMP will outline the museums purpose, the acquisition of items, the removal of items, loans, care of the collections, inventories and insurance. This document will provide the Trinidad Museum with a set of organized procedures to follow and a more stable foundation for museum management, which will also allow the easy transition of museum staff over time in the future.

Citation Style

APA

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Thesis/Project Location

 
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