Museum Registration Methods

by Rebecca A. Buck (Editor), Jean Allman Gilmore

The first new edition in a decade of this famous "Bible of the museum registrar." Rewritten, expanded and fully updated, Museum Registration Methods, Fifth Edition encompasses all that needs to be known and done when a museum accessions, measures, marks, moves, displays, or stores an object or artifact of any kind. Museum Registration Methods, Fifth Edition includes expert advice from more than 60 acknowledged leaders in their disciplines. New to the fifth edition are special teaching sections that challenge students and seasoned staff alike with questions about the process and procedures of accessioning and caring for objects. Contains bibliography, glossary, and multiple sample forms.

Published in cooperation with RC-AAM, the Registrars Committee of AAM.

Genres: Museums, Museology, Nonfiction, Reference, Art

534 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2010

Reviews

[Doria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yowzers, this book is extremely thorough. It’s absolutely a no-stone-left-unturned kind of resource, but I’d expect no less from museum registrars, who are some of the most thorough and exacting and precision-minded people you will ever meet. Nitty-gritty items like copyright, photography and packing plans are covered in exhaustive detail, as well as broad ethical concerns such as NAGPRA and provenance research. Worst-case scenarios are discussed, as well as best practices. There is a glossary of terms (more useful than you’d think!) and some sample forms, always appreciated.

The book is the result of many smart people coming together to contribute articles reflecting their areas of expertise, allowing readers to benefit from the collective knowledge and know-how of the registrarial community at large and its abutting constituents, including entomologists, lawyers, collections managers, preparators, curators, archivists, customs brokers and the like. Inevitably it will be updated, as technological and ethical advances continue to push the field forward. It’s pervaded by a collegial spirit and a rigorous determination to cover any and every circumstance and detail. Whether choosing the correct solvent to use when labeling objects or figuring out how to interpret a certificate of subrogation for a traveling exhibit, this book has an answer, or at least a set of well-researched options. MRM5 is more than useful, it’s essential.

[Britta · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many typos! I can't believe professional editors read through this thing.

Also, very repetitive.

That being said, it's very thorough. Probably best used as a reference to look up a specific topic or answer a particular question rather than reading through front to back for class.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was my textbook for a museum collections class that I took. It does an excellent job of detailing how museums function and describing the roles of museum workers.

[Adrianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as a previous reviewer said: this is literally the museum registrar's bible. I am currently enrolled in the MA in Museum Studies program at GW and I had to buy this book for one of my classes. Best decision ever. From the history of registration to integrated pest management and everything in between this book is a great resource to have. I love how different section are written by different authors and the example forms in the chapters as well.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

That my job is awesome, people don't get how awesome and that if I didn't do it the museum would burst into flames.

[Ina Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two words encapsulate this entire book: Museum Bible.