Registration Methods for the Small Museum

By (author) Daniel B. Reibel Revised by Deborah Rose Van Horn

Publication date:

13 July 2017

Length of book:

158 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781442277113

Registration Methods for the Small Museum has been the definitive guide to registration methodology for small museums since 1978. The book covers all aspects of the registration process and provides practical solutions for the small museum professional in a concise, readable manner. This step-by-step guide begins with developing policy and takes the reader through acquisition, numbering, accessioning, documentation, loans, and deaccessioning. It is a great introduction to both manual and computer systems and can help those that are unfamiliar with museum registration systems learn more about their collections. The fifth edition updates the handbook to fit the registration systems in today’s small museums and provides additional forms that weren’t in previous additions of the book.

Features include:

Easy to understand forms and templates
Overviews of both manual and computer registration systems
Overview of the acquisition process
Overview of the cataloging process
Overviews of museum loans
Examples of a collections policy and registration manual for a small museum
Guidance for small museums on how to create a new registration system or interpret the one they have

Chapter 1Why Have a Museum Registration System?

Chapter 2Acquisition

Chapter 3The Accession Number

Chapter 4Accessioning

Chapter 5Documentation

Chapter 6The Catalog

Chapter 7Loans

Chapter 8Computers

Conclusion: The Final Word

Appendix AForms

Appendix BA Registration Manual for a Volunteer-Run Museum

Appendix CExample of a Museum Collection Policy for a Museum with Professional Staff

Registration Methods for the Small Museum is a classic covering everything staff in a small museum needs to know about proper record keeping. The new edition brings the original text carefully into the 21st century. For example, this edition introduces detailed discussion of what to consider when choosing a collections management system. The forms in the appendix are significantly enhanced, so that you now can hit the ground running in almost all thinkable circumstances at a small museum. This edition is an indispensable companion for every museum professional.