Description:

Collection inventories are vital to collection management and security. You need to know what is in your collection to be able to manage it well. This means regular inventories must occur. But knowing you must do them and actually having the time and manpower to complete an inventory are two different things. Collection Inventories discusses everything you ever wanted to know about collection inventories. From how to set one up to how to conduct an inventory. Other topics include what to look for during an inventory and how to reconcile the information.

Course Outline:

1. Why are Collection Inventories important?

2. Collection Management

3. Collection Security

4. Preparing for an Inventory

5. Preparing The Museum

6. Preparing Staff:

7. Who Will Do the Inventory?

8. Compiling Data and Supplies

9. Conducting an Inventory

10. Where to Begin

11. What to Look for During an Inventory

12. Reconciling an Inventory

13. What do you do when the inventory is done?

14. Fixing Problems

15. Processing "Leftovers"

16. When Should You Do It Again?