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Ethics Q&A: Acquisitions 4
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April 2001
I recently spoke to the widow of a donor, who seemed happy enough to tell me how the photos her late husband had donated to the museum came to be taken and collected by him.
I wrote to her asking for copyright to be assigned to the museum and also wanted to find out more about her late husband. But my line manager would not allow me to ask any biographical questions.
He thought it would upset the widow to talk too much about her late husband. Surely museums should acquire as much information about the lives of donors and who they came to be making or collecting the items they give to the museum?
The Museums Association wouldn't want to fuel a disagreement between your line manager and yourself. You are right, however, in saying that it is best practice to gather and record as much information about acquisitions as possible.
Is it wise to make assumptions about the willingness or otherwise of any individual about disclosing personal information? A sensitive approach and the possession of good interviewing skills are vital prerequisites.
Understanding that your interviewee may be grateful for the chance to pass on information of quite a personal nature is as important as the ability to back off if the interviewee shows signs of being uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. This needs to be underpinned by the right policies and training.
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