GUIDELINES FOR THE CURATION OF GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS

lays an obligation on that institution and on his professional successors to ensure
the well-being of that specimen "in perpetuity". Curators should be familiar with
the 'Code of Conduct for Museum Curators' (Duggan et al. 1983, published by
the Museums Association annually in the 'Yearbook'. Whatever rules, regulations
or guidelines are formulated to assist the curator in fulfilling his professional
obligations to the material entrusted to his care, the day-to-day exercise of his
trade will always demand of the geological curator the application of common
sense. In so doing he should apply the highest standards of personal responsibility
and morality, albeit in an informed manner. Ultimately the value and quality of
the collection will reflect the integrity of the curator.
These Guidelines are presented as a practical guide to good housekeeping for
the geological curator. Conceived and edited within a carefully planned framework,
they comprise a compilation of edited essays by a number of authors who
have contributed the component sections. Inevitably we are addressing these
Guidelines to curators having varied experience with geological materials and
who will be looking for different types of information at different levels of detail.
We have attempted to provide necessary information in the text, with references
to publications extending on the topics. The Summaries at the beginning of each
Part bring together the most important points and recommendations, and should
provide introductory reading for the curator unfamiliar with geological procedures.
Paine (1984) provides excellent notes on a wide variety of museum
methods, far beyond those covered in these Guidelines. Much of what is written
here can only be opinion because a consensus view on many topics remains
unknown, elsewhere we provide recommendations when we believe there to be
reasonably widespread agreement.
Definitions
The terms 'geological curator' or 'curator' are used to denote any person charged
with the care of geological material in a museum, irrespective of formal title.
Following the usual convention, where the curator is referred to by pronoun, the
masculine form is used, without prejudice to gender. The word 'museum' is used
to refer to any insitution formally charged with the care of collections.
'Geological material' includes both natural objects ('specimens') and associated
documentation, manuscripts, published works, maps, plans, drawings, prints and
photographs. It also includes the equipment and personalia associated with
significant figures in the history of geology, but these will seldom be dealt with
here (see for instance Doughty in Thompson 1984).
References
The text is divided by coloured cards into five major Parts, each separately
paginated and distinguished by !ts code letter A to E. Cross-references within the
text are always to paragraph numbers. including their Part Letter, and never to
page numbers. Text references to other publications are given as author plus date
of publication and are listed fully in the References.
The main Contents page provides access to the major subjects and the
Contents lists at the start of each major Part provide a detailed subject index
using paragraph and page numbers.
We recognise that the way In which we have arranged these Guidelines is only
one of a number of possibilites, and that good collection management should be