ABSTRACT
Museum managers should also be aware that copyright is now a vital consideration with new international legislation in force.
❚ FINANCES Developing a range of in-house publications – at whatever level(s) – can be expensive. The museum has to decide whether the necessary investment in research and author time/costs, and design and publication costs, is worthwhile in terms of the rate of return through sales on the capital invested. The museum may decide that a subsidy can be justified in order to make information about its collections more widely available. It may seek sponsorship or grants to help reduce the unit cost or to keep the retail price at a lower level. Whatever the case, it is important to:
• analyse the full costs of publications in advance of commitment; • consider the real costs of author time required for researching and writing; • ensure that firm cost quotations for design, typesetting and printing are
obtained from relevant individuals/organisations; • consider additional costs of marketing, distribution, discounts for bulk sales
and storage.
