Ethical debate: Disposal
Museums have evolved from collections- centred to people-centred organisations. It is now no longer enough to hold and care for objects; we have to use, provide access, communicate the uniqueness, and excite people about objects.
Many museums now find themselves with collections that are no longer relevant to the message or story they are trying to convey.
These objects may well be interesting in themselves and in good condition but just not relevant. Is it acceptable to dispose of collections simply because we don't want them any more?
Collections have been built on the tastes of individuals, leaving many unbalanced biases, with either over- or under-representation. We now have to re-evaluate what we hold. We cannot simply dispose of material because we think we have no professional use for it.
We have to consult donors or their descendants: would they like their objects back; could their donation be sold to help get something else?
Is a donation a legal contract; would we be breaking it? It will be like acknowledging copyright: we try to find the owner but in the end we have to act, and that will mean that if we can legally dispose of donated material, we will.
Mark Suggitt, head of museums, galleries & heritage, Bradford
The Council for Scottish Archaeology is currently piloting two new themed loan boxes (one on Romans, one on stone tools) with different groups. If the pilot is a success, further boxes on a variety of themes will be developed.
This will enable the artefacts to be used by a greater number and wider range of people. Using artefacts to engage pupils in subjects such as science could lead to more flexible teaching methods and to the disposal of museum collections to schools.
There is a physical risk of damage and loss involved in transferring artefacts, but it is not so much a case of disposal as of transfer - to where they will make a difference.
Eila Macqueen, director, Council for Scottish Archaeology
Museums tend to hold collections 'just in case' - in case of a future display, a researcher's call or a loan request. But many things in store would be used better in another museum, in a public (or private) building, or even a home.
Museums must actively encourage research by academics, amateur enthusiasts and communities. But if it is unlikely that society will make any significant use of a particular object in, say, the next two decades, it may be best to throw it away.
It would be wrong to head for the skip, however, before serious efforts have been made to transfer the objects to a more caring home. It's not junk we've got: it's wonderful stuff, unused.
Maurice Davies, deputy director, Museums Association
Many museums now find themselves with collections that are no longer relevant to the message or story they are trying to convey.
These objects may well be interesting in themselves and in good condition but just not relevant. Is it acceptable to dispose of collections simply because we don't want them any more?
Collections have been built on the tastes of individuals, leaving many unbalanced biases, with either over- or under-representation. We now have to re-evaluate what we hold. We cannot simply dispose of material because we think we have no professional use for it.
We have to consult donors or their descendants: would they like their objects back; could their donation be sold to help get something else?
Is a donation a legal contract; would we be breaking it? It will be like acknowledging copyright: we try to find the owner but in the end we have to act, and that will mean that if we can legally dispose of donated material, we will.
Mark Suggitt, head of museums, galleries & heritage, Bradford
The Council for Scottish Archaeology is currently piloting two new themed loan boxes (one on Romans, one on stone tools) with different groups. If the pilot is a success, further boxes on a variety of themes will be developed.
This will enable the artefacts to be used by a greater number and wider range of people. Using artefacts to engage pupils in subjects such as science could lead to more flexible teaching methods and to the disposal of museum collections to schools.
There is a physical risk of damage and loss involved in transferring artefacts, but it is not so much a case of disposal as of transfer - to where they will make a difference.
Eila Macqueen, director, Council for Scottish Archaeology
Museums tend to hold collections 'just in case' - in case of a future display, a researcher's call or a loan request. But many things in store would be used better in another museum, in a public (or private) building, or even a home.
Museums must actively encourage research by academics, amateur enthusiasts and communities. But if it is unlikely that society will make any significant use of a particular object in, say, the next two decades, it may be best to throw it away.
It would be wrong to head for the skip, however, before serious efforts have been made to transfer the objects to a more caring home. It's not junk we've got: it's wonderful stuff, unused.
Maurice Davies, deputy director, Museums Association
