Registrars To The Rescue

Registrars to the RescueRegistrars to the RescueHeather Marie Wells, Collections Assistant/Podcast Producer Heather Marie Wells, Collections Assistant/Podcast Producer Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Springdale, ARShiloh Museum of Ozark History, Springdale, AR(479) 750-8165, hmwells@springdalear.gov(479) 750-8165, hmwells@springdalear.gov

Heather Bettinardi, Outreach Coordinator/Educator MacArthur Heather Bettinardi, Outreach Coordinator/Educator MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock, ARMuseum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock, AR(501) 376-4602, hbettinardi@yahoo.com(501) 376-4602, hbettinardi@yahoo.com

Tom Debo, RegistrarTom Debo, RegistrarThe Ralph Foster Museum, Point Lookout, MO The Ralph Foster Museum, Point Lookout, MO (417) 690-2602, debo@cofo.edu.(417) 690-2602, debo@cofo.edu.

AgendaAgenda

Registrars to the RescueRegistrars to the Rescue– Interactive group discussionInteractive group discussion

Collections Care BasicsCollections Care Basics– Very quick run throughVery quick run through

Hands OnHands On– Helping the Marked Tree MuseumHelping the Marked Tree Museum

Part 1Part 1

Registrars to the RescueRegistrars to the Rescue

Who can use some extra Who can use some extra help?help? Basic idea is trained collections Basic idea is trained collections

professionals volunteer to help professionals volunteer to help museums accomplish collections related museums accomplish collections related projectsprojects– RC-AAM Reinforcement CrewRC-AAM Reinforcement Crew– Helping Hands BrigadeHelping Hands Brigade– White Gloves GangWhite Gloves Gang

Interactive DiscussionInteractive Discussion

This group can be whatever we want to This group can be whatever we want to make it, so please join in the discussion. make it, so please join in the discussion.

Proposed MissionProposed Mission

The mission of Registrars to the Rescue is to The mission of Registrars to the Rescue is to assist any Arkansas museum regardless of assist any Arkansas museum regardless of staff size or budget with collections projects, staff size or budget with collections projects, to aid Arkansas museums with collections to aid Arkansas museums with collections recovery from disasters, and to teach recovery from disasters, and to teach techniques for proper collections care. techniques for proper collections care. Registrars to the Rescue hopes to encourage Registrars to the Rescue hopes to encourage a feeling of community and inter-institutional a feeling of community and inter-institutional co-operation while also providing those co-operation while also providing those interested with museum collections a interested with museum collections a networking opportunity.networking opportunity.

Governing BodyGoverning Body

5-7 member committee5-7 member committee– odd numberodd number– size may depend on activity levelsize may depend on activity level

4 Congressional districts4 Congressional districts Service of perhaps two year termsService of perhaps two year terms Communication through Yahoo groupCommunication through Yahoo group

How to VolunteerHow to Volunteer

ApplicationApplication– To help us match you to projects that you To help us match you to projects that you

would be interested inwould be interested in DatabaseDatabase BenefitsBenefits

– TrainingTraining– NetworkingNetworking

No FeesNo Fees

How to Get HelpHow to Get Help

ApplicationApplication CriteriaCriteria

– Merit of project (clearly defined, realistic goals)Merit of project (clearly defined, realistic goals)– Logistics (travel time, meals, housing)Logistics (travel time, meals, housing)– Available helpAvailable help– Personal size (paid & unpaid)Personal size (paid & unpaid)– Budget sizeBudget size

Committee member institutionsCommittee member institutions

Once a Project is selectedOnce a Project is selected

Committee members meet with host Committee members meet with host museum (in advance of project date)museum (in advance of project date)

Determine list of supplies and skills Determine list of supplies and skills need for projectneed for project

Talk about getting sponsors or Talk about getting sponsors or donations if needed (museum supplies donations if needed (museum supplies but also food, housing etc.)but also food, housing etc.)

Future EndeavorsFuture Endeavors

How many helping projects a yearHow many helping projects a year– AMA meeting (before, during, after)AMA meeting (before, during, after)– Different locationsDifferent locations

Publishing handouts, booklets, etc.Publishing handouts, booklets, etc. WorkshopsWorkshops Long distance trainingLong distance training Disaster responseDisaster response WebsiteWebsite

Anything else?Anything else?

Part 2Part 2

Quick Collections Care BasicsQuick Collections Care Basics

Collections Care Basic Collections Care Basic TenantsTenants Do No HarmDo No Harm

– Make it reversibleMake it reversible– When in doubt wait & seek adviceWhen in doubt wait & seek advice

Strive for consistencyStrive for consistency Always have a paper trail – Always have a paper trail – Document, Document,

Document, DocumentDocument, Document– Leave your initials, date, what you did, Leave your initials, date, what you did,

why you did itwhy you did it

Types of CollectionsTypes of Collections

ArtifactArtifact ResearchResearch EducationEducation ExhibitExhibit

Types of CollectionsTypes of Collections

ArtifactArtifact

Basic StepsBasic Steps

AccessioningAccessioning CatalogingCataloging CleaningCleaning Marking / TaggingMarking / Tagging StoringStoring

PaperworkPaperwork

Temporary receiptTemporary receipt Deed of giftDeed of gift Accession formsAccession forms Tax formsTax forms

AccessioningAccessioning

Basic informationBasic information– Donor infoDonor info– Description of collection as wholeDescription of collection as whole– Accession number (S-2009-45)Accession number (S-2009-45)– Sent / returned Deed of GiftSent / returned Deed of Gift

CatalogingCataloging

In depth history of objectIn depth history of object– Maker, dateMaker, date– Use, how it worksUse, how it works– Connection to donorConnection to donor

Classify according to nomenclatureClassify according to nomenclature Description, measurements, markingsDescription, measurements, markings

– Based on your written descriptions can someone Based on your written descriptions can someone 50 years from now find that object?50 years from now find that object?

Remarks – comments on cleaning, Remarks – comments on cleaning, exhibiting, storage, numbering, cross exhibiting, storage, numbering, cross reference, etc.reference, etc.

CleaningCleaning

Do No HarmDo No Harm– Make it reversibleMake it reversible– When in doubt wait & seek adviceWhen in doubt wait & seek advice

DustingDusting– Soft ragsSoft rags– Natural hair brushesNatural hair brushes

VacuumingVacuuming– Protection screenProtection screen– HEPA filterHEPA filter

WashingWashing– Distilled waterDistilled water– GENTLE agitation if any at allGENTLE agitation if any at all– Lay flat to dry, no wringing or twistingLay flat to dry, no wringing or twisting

MarkingMarking

Make it reversibleMake it reversible Use pencil when you canUse pencil when you can Consistent location on objectsConsistent location on objects Hang tagsHang tags

StoringStoring

Boxing Boxing HangingHanging Shelving - Shelving - Not everything needs to be in a boxNot everything needs to be in a box

CreativityCreativity– Dealing with odd shapesDealing with odd shapes– Maximizing your spaceMaximizing your space

Naming consistencyNaming consistency– BoxesBoxes– ShelvesShelves

BoxingBoxing

HangingHanging

ShelvingShelving

ShelvingShelving

CreativityCreativity

CreativityCreativity

CreativityCreativity

Hands OnHands On

Background on the Marked Tree Background on the Marked Tree MuseumMuseum

Explain work areasExplain work areas JUST DO IT!JUST DO IT!

Marked Tree Delta Area MuseumMarked Tree Delta Area Museum

• 1992 the Marked Tree Historical Society formed

• 1993 the Marked Tree Delta Area Museum was envisioned and the Tri-City Area Cultural Council, Inc. formed

Marked Tree Delta Area MuseumMarked Tree Delta Area Museum

• May 1993 they held their first temporary public exhibit

• 1994 first permanent exhibit opens at the library and they receive 501-C-3 status

Marked Tree Delta Area MuseumMarked Tree Delta Area Museum

• 1995 the contents of the Verser Hospital were donated to the museum and their second permanent exhibit opens

• 1997 groundbreaking for the museum/library complex

Marked Tree Delta Area MuseumMarked Tree Delta Area Museum

• 1999 Grand Opening• To date the museum features– One quarter of a block at the center of town– One historical building– Five galleries– Staff of 1 and volunteer group of 15

What are we doing?What are we doing?

Explain work areasExplain work areas JUST DO IT!JUST DO IT!

Thank You for Coming!Thank You for Coming!

Heather Marie Wells, Collections Assistant/Podcast Producer Heather Marie Wells, Collections Assistant/Podcast Producer Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Springdale, ARShiloh Museum of Ozark History, Springdale, AR(479) 750-8165, hmwells@springdalear.gov(479) 750-8165, hmwells@springdalear.gov

Heather Bettinardi, Outreach Coordinator/Educator MacArthur Heather Bettinardi, Outreach Coordinator/Educator MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock, ARMuseum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock, AR(501) 376-4602, hbettinardi@yahoo.com(501) 376-4602, hbettinardi@yahoo.com

Tom Debo, RegistrarTom Debo, RegistrarThe Ralph Foster Museum, Point Lookout, MO The Ralph Foster Museum, Point Lookout, MO (417) 690-2602, debo@cofo.edu.(417) 690-2602, debo@cofo.edu.