Online Course: Collections Management (Winter 2022)

Recorded On: 12/06/2018

  • Registration Closed

Session FULL

Please note the Winter Session of Collections Management is now full. If you would like to be placed on the waiting list for the Winter Session, email learn@aaslh.org. Visit our 2022 course schedule for upcoming sessions of this course.

An AASLH Small Museum Pro! Online Course

Course Description 

This eight-week course will introduce participants to the professional principles and practices in the management of museum collections. Topics will include collections development, registration and record keeping with an emphasis on the development of Collection Policies and Procedures and what it means to be intellectually and physically responsible for museum objects.

At the beginning of the course participants will be asked to select five objects from their museum to work with throughout the eight weeks. During the course, participants will be working on a collection management policy draft, and conducting some management tasks with their mini-collection objects. 

Details

SESSION DATES: January 10 – March 6, 2022

COST: $215 AASLH Members / $315 Nonmembers / 10% discount for STEPS participants with promo code found in the online STEPS Community

OPEN REGISTRATION: October 1, 2021 - January 3, 2022; 30 participant limit

Course Logistics

FORMAT: Online, Instructor-led, Weekly-paced course

LENGTH: 8 weeks

PARTICIPATION: Students should expect to spend approximately 5-7 hours per week on readings, video discussions text-based forum discussions, and assignments.

LIVE ZOOM DISCUSSIONS: We recommend downloading the Zoom mobile or desktop app for this course. 

  • A one-hour live Zoom discussion will be held biweekly
  • Final dates/times will be determined by the instructor at the start of the course
  • Zoom discussions are recorded in case a participant is unable to attend the live sessions

MATERIALS: 

TECHNOLOGY: Participants will need access to internet and a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet to participate in this course. For the live Zoom discussions, we recommend having access to a camera and a headset, earpods, or other audio and microphone device. Automatic captioning is available in the Zoom discussions.

CREDIT: Successful completion of this course (80% or higher) will earn one credit toward the Small Museum Pro! certificate from AASLH.

Participant Outcomes

By the end of this course participants will:

  • Develop a detailed draft of a Collections Policy
  • Identify a collection of objects
  • Develop a standardized set of registration records and forms including inventory, catalog, accession, and loans
  • Learn about various registration numbering systems and how to mark objects appropriately
  • Discuss issues related to collections strategies, mission, purpose, and scope of collections
  • Develop a broader understanding of legal and ethical concerns of managing collections

Who Should Take This Course

This course is a beginning level course designed for professional staff and volunteers of historical organizations and libraries with historical collections who have little to no experience with collections management. This course requires participants have access to museum collections to successfully complete this course, either as a staff member, volunteer, or intern.

How to Register

Click here for instructions on how to register yourself or another user for this event. 

Click here for instructions on how to register yourself or another user for this event. 

Erin Richardson

AASLH Online Course Instructor

Email: erin@frankandglory.com

Dr. Erin Richardson facilitates museums’ and cultural organizations’ capacity for mission delivery, particularly relating to art and artifact collections. With over 20 years of experience working with museum communities at Five Colleges, Inc in Amherst, MA, Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, NY, among other organizations, she founded Frank & Glory in 2018 to assist museums in solving long-term collection problems so that they may effectively serve their communities. Clients include the American Numismatic Society, New Brunswick Museum (Canada), Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and The Olana Partnership. Her research and writing centers on how New York State’s unique chartering policy for museums affects organization health. Richardson holds a PhD in Leadership and Policy from Niagara University, a MA in Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program and a BA in American Studies from the SUNY Geneseo. 

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Course Resources
Course Syllabus
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. This syllabus was updated on 1/14/2022 at 2:27pm ET ... the section about late assignments was changed to reflect the letter grade system in this platform. References to the Course Guide were removed as they related to the former version of this course. Finally, references to the rubric were also removed as that was included in the course guide. This syllabus was updated on 1/9/2022 at 7:15 ET.. the only change was to the format for assignment submissions. Please submit your work in Word document format.
You must register to access.
Grading and late assignments
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Course Messaging Instructions
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Instructions on how to set up your privacy and messaging settings for the course.
You must register to access.
Sample Policies and Forms
Google Drive Folder - Sample Policies and Forms
Select the "Open Google Drive Folder" button to begin.
Select the "Open Google Drive Folder" button to begin.
You must register to access.
Week 1: Introductions, mini collections, mission and purpose
Reading : Textbook reading - details inside
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. There is no resource here to download - this is to remind you that there are readings from physical books! Required: Simmons: Chapters 1&2 Optional: Reibel: Intro & Chapter 1.
You must register to access.
Reading: Setting Up Your Collection
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Reading: General Handling Checklist
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Reading: Testing Collections Care Practices
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Reading: Hero County
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Reading: Collection Policy Draft (Course Project)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Inventory Form
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. You can use this form to complete the Week 1 assignment related to your mini collection. You can also use an existing from your current museum, or a museum you have volunteered or worked at in the past.
You must register to access.
Introduce Yourself Forum
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Enter an introduction of yourself and the museum or cultural organization to which you are connected. Be sure to indicate where you are located (with the time zone), why you are working with this organization and what do you enjoy doing there. Tell us briefly about the organization’s focus and about the community in which it is located. If possible do this during the first week and get it uploaded by mid week. Read the introductions from others in the course and reply or start a conversation with one of your fellow participants. Create your own post by typing in the box and then click the green "submit comment" button. Reply to others' posts by clicking "reply" under that post.
You must register to access.
Week 1 Assignment 2: Hero County exercise. Due Sunday, January 16
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B This assignment is intended to get you thinking through your organization's mission, its collections, and how the two interrelate. The Hero County template is, admittedly, a little bit dated. However, its questions are useful as a foundation stone for the work we're about to undertake in the course Submit your work as a Word document.
You must register to access.
Week 1 Assignment 3: CMP component - Purpose and Mission. Due Sunday, January 16
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B The overall assignment for this class is to write (or update, if your institution already has a Policy in place) a draft Collections Management Policy and to gain a basic understanding of what collections management is all about. Each week we will work on a different part of the Policy; the weekly assignments will add up cumulatively to form the basis of a draft Policy for your institution. [See Reading: Collections Policy Draft (Course Project)] I highly, highly encourage you to use real-life information from an institution where you are working or volunteering. This will provide excellent context and may hopefully help you actually improve collections management practices in a tangible way. However, if you are not presently working in an institution, or if for some reason you are uncomfortable using real information from your employer, you may invent a collecting institution and use that throughout the course. In the past, participants have created entirely fictional institutions/collections or used personal collections of their own – whatever seems the most interesting and feasible to you and you can be consistent with throughout the course is fine.
You must register to access.
Week 1 Assignment 4: Mini collection - create your mini collection. Due Sunday, January 16.
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B This course asks you to work with a three-item "mini-collection." This collection will help you to operationalize some of the policy concepts. For most weeks, there will be an assignment related to the mini collection and an assignment related to the Policy. For a few of the weeks, we'll only be working with one or the other.
You must register to access.
Week 2: Scope of Collections, Temporary Custody
Building a Meaningful Collection
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
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Reading: Week 2 textbook reading
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Nothing to download here - these readings are from actual books: Required: Simmons: 3, 5 & 9 Optional MRM5: 3A or MRM6: 3A
You must register to access.
Temporary Custody Form Example 1
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
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Temporary Custody form example 2
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 2 discussion
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. You don't need to answer all of these questions, specifically - but let us know what you do around the donation and decision process. What is your process when someone wants to donate an object to your museum? Do you take objects on a temporary basis for the purpose of deciding to add them to your collection? Do you make "on the spot" decisions? Who decides what items you will consider for accession and how those decisions will be made? We’ll come back to this later in the course, but it doesn’t hurt to be thinking along the way about how it can be helpful to have an Accessions Committee. If your policy includes such a committee, who should be part of it? How will they do their business? How often will they meet? How long will the members serve?
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Week 2 Assignment 1: CMP draft - Scope of Collections. Due Sunday, January 23.
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Week 2 Assignment 2: mini collection - Temporary Custody. Due Sunday, January 23
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Week 3: Accessions and Numbering
Week 3 textbook reading
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Nothing to download here - these readings are in actual books: Required: Simmons: 6 Optiona: MRM5: 5A & 5E or MRM6: 3B & 5A
You must register to access.
Accessions
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
A Guide to Deeds of Gift
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Accession Procedure
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Applying Accession Numbers MNHS
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Numbering and Labeling Objects
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 3 Discussion
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. What type of numbering system do you think would work in your collection? If you already use a numbering system, let us know how it works. Do you think that another system might work better for you? Has your organization used different types of numbering systems over time?
You must register to access.
Week 3, Assignment 1: CMP - Accession criteria. Due Sunday, January 30.
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B Accession and Acquisition are sometimes used with different definitions and other times the words are used synonymously. They do, technically, mean different things in the museum context, and usually that difference is more important the bigger the museum. For this assignment, and in the context of this course, Accession and Acquisition both mean "officially accepting something into the collection."
You must register to access.
Week 3, Assignment 2: mini collection - Accession worksheets, donor questionnaires. Due Sunday, January 30.
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Week 4: Deaccessions
Week 4 textbook reading
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Nothing to download here - these readings are from actual books: Required: Simmons: 7 Optional Reibel: pp. 68-72 MRM5: 3I or MRM6: 5F
You must register to access.
Valuing History Collections
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Deaccessions
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Direct Care of Collections Ethics Guidelines and Recommendations
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Video: Collections Rationalisation
Recorded 12/30/2021
Recorded 12/30/2021
You must register to access.
Week 4 discussion
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. How does your institution approach deaccessioning? Has your organization ever deaccessioned items from its collection? Was it straightforward or challenging? Were there unanswered questions? Do you have materials you suspect would probably be candidates for deaccessioning but the institution just does not want to approach it? If you have deaccessioned objects in the past, how did you approach disposal?
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Week 4 Assignment 1: CMP - deaccession and disposal. Due Sunday, February 6.
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B There is no mini-collection assignment this week.
You must register to access.
Week 5: Long term loans, abandoned and undocumented property
Week 5 textbook reading
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Nothing to download here - these readings are from actual books: Required: Simmons: 8 & review 9 Optional: Reibel: 7 MRM5: 3L or MRM6: 3K
You must register to access.
Video: Doorstep Donations and Unclaimed Loans
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
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Arcs Museum Property and Old Loan Legislation
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
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Loans
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 5 discussion
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. What do you do when you're not sure how an item ended up in your collection? Accession it? Put it in a dark corner and ignore it? Create a record for a non-accessioned object? Some other solution? Have you ever had to use your state's abandoned property legislation for museums (if your state has such legislation)?
You must register to access.
Week 5 Assignment 1: CMP - long term loans. Due Sunday, February 13.
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Week 5 Assignment 2: mini collection - lend an object. Due Sunday, February 13
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Optional Zoom Meeting - Deaccession/Abandoned & Undocumented Property
02/09/2022 at 12:00 PM (EST)   |  60 minutes
02/09/2022 at 12:00 PM (EST)   |  60 minutes For this course, four Zoom meetings will be offered with different topics. Attendance at two of the four is required. See "zoom Meeting" tab at the top for meeting link.
You must register to access.
Week 6 textbook reading
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Nothing to download here - these readings are from actual books: Required: Simmons: 10 optional: Reibel: 6 MRM5: 4A & 5I or MRM6: 4A & 5K
You must register to access.
Zoom Call Recording - Deaccession and Abandoned/Undocumented Property
Open to view video.
Open to view video. We spent part of this call in breakout rooms, which were not recorded.
You must register to access.
Week 6: Documentation, Cataloging and Inventories
Cataloguing Worksheet Guidelines
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Collections Management Software for Smaller Institutions
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Documentation, Cataloging, and Inventories
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Museum Nomenclature resources 2018
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
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Nomenclature for Museums
Recorded 12/30/2021
Recorded 12/30/2021 Nomenclature for Museums - formerly Chenhall's Nomenclature - is now available FOR FREE on the web.
You must register to access.
Week 6 discussion
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Have you ever conducted an inventory? What advice would you give those who have never done one? Has your museum's collection ever been inventoried - even if you, personally, did not participate? If yes, what documentation was retained for that process? If you have not undertaken an inventory, are there barriers to doing so? What might be the benefits of inventory? How might you overcome the current roadblocks to experience the benefits of this process?
You must register to access.
Week 6 Assignment 1: CMP - Inventory. Due Sunday February 20
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Week 6 Assignment 2: mini collection - catalog worksheets. Due Sunday, February 20
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Optional Zoom call - February 18 -11am ET: Documentation and Cataloging
02/18/2022 at 11:00 AM (EST)   |  60 minutes
02/18/2022 at 11:00 AM (EST)   |  60 minutes Topic: AASLH zoom call - documentation/cataloging Time: Feb 18, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85631272621 Meeting ID: 856 3127 2621 One tap mobile +19292056099,,85631272621# US (New York) +13126266799,,85631272621# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 856 3127 2621 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kb56ziphAa
You must register to access.
Zoom call: Documentation and inventory - video
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
You must register to access.
Week 7: Insurance and Risk Management
Week 7 textbook reading
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Nothing to download here - these readings are from actual books: Required: Simmons: 13 Optional: MRM5: 6A & 6B or MRM6: 6A & 6D
You must register to access.
Insurance and Risk Management
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Week 7 discussion
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Do you know what types of insurance your museum carries? What types of insurance coverage do you think your museum should have and why? Is the collection insured. If yes, do you know under what policy and with what carrier? Have you ever made an insurance claim for a lost, stolen, or damaged object in your collection? If yes, tell us about the process.
You must register to access.
Week 7 Assignment 1: CMP - risk management and insurance. Due Sunday, February 27.
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Optional Zoom call: Insurance and Risk Management
02/23/2022 at 12:00 PM (EST)   |  60 minutes
02/23/2022 at 12:00 PM (EST)   |  60 minutes Time: Feb 23, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81535052882 Meeting ID: 815 3505 2882 One tap mobile +13126266799,,81535052882# US (Chicago) +19292056099,,81535052882# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 815 3505 2882 Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdNI2wM0Lo
You must register to access.
Zoom Call Recording - insurance and risk
Open to view video.
Open to view video.
You must register to access.
Week 8: CMP Draft
Course Survey
13 Questions
13 Questions Please note the survey must be completed and a passing grade must be achieved before the Certificate of Completion is available.
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Week 8 textbook reading
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Nothing to download here - these readings are from actual books: Required: Simmons: 17 Optional MRM5: 7A & 7B or MRM6: 7A
You must register to access.
Week 8 discussion
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Question 1 - Collections Committees Do you have a collections committee? If yes, who is on it? If no, who would you like to be on a committee if you could select the members? Question 2 - What is THE MOST IMPORTANT thing you want your Board or other governing authority to know about Collection Management Policies?
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Final Assignment. Due Sunday, March 6.
Passing Grade: B
Passing Grade: B
You must register to access.
Optional Zoom Call: Open topic
03/02/2022 at 12:00 PM (EST)   |  60 minutes
03/02/2022 at 12:00 PM (EST)   |  60 minutes
You must register to access.
Course Survey and Certificate of Completion
Certificate of Completion
1 Small Museum Pro! Certificate Credit credit  |  Certificate available
1 Small Museum Pro! Certificate Credit credit  |  Certificate available Successful completion of this course (80% or higher) will earn one credit toward the Small Museum Pro! certificate from AASLH.
You must register to access.

If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.

Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.