ABSTRACT
The purpose of this entry is to introduce the general reader to a large and important part of a museum’s function, managing collections. Collection management includes the acquisition and care of museum collections, from cataloging and documentation to safety and environmental conditions, use of collections in exhibitions and loans, insurance, and physical and electronic access to collections. An object goes through several stages in its “life cycle” in a museum collection: from acquisition and documentation to exhibitions, loans, and occasionally deaccession. This entry attempts to introduce readers to the many variables affecting collections, which may then lead the reader to further research.
