GUIDELINES FOR THE CURATION OF GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS

Sources of advice
No one contemplating the computerisation of data on geological collections
should rely on the printed work alone for information or advice. The rapid
development of both hardware and software, together with progress in methodologies,
renders at least some aspects of published accounts out-of-date. Amonst
the membership of the GCG there is a growing body of first-hand knowledge
which should be tapped both for the good of the individuals and institution
concerned, but also for the development of the profession as a whole. The
following institutions may be able to offer advice:
Department of Geology, Ulster Museum, Belfast
Booth Museum of Natural History, Brighton
Department of Geology, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
Department of Geology, Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge
Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh
Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow
Earth Sciences Section, Leicestershire Museums, Leicester
British Museum (Natural History), London
The Manchester Museum, Manchester University
Derbyshire Museum Services, Matlock
Hancock Museum, University of Newcastle
Sunderland Museum, Tyne & Wear Museum Service
There are, in addition, other institutions in the process of re-defining their
documentation systems which are in contact with the MDA. Up to date
information is available through that Association.
Any institution considering computerisation is strongly advised to become a
subscribing member of the MDA, if they are not already. An initial visit and
appraisal by an experienced member of MDA staff is offered free of charge, and
subsequently, of course, there is the option to use the MDA's considerable
resources in developing your system.
In addition, the recently formed "Museums Computer Group" provides a
useful, informal programme of meetings, and aims "to improve communications
between museum staff who are active or interested in using computers in their
work". At present, the co-ordinator of this group is Dr. A. Fletcher, Leicestershire
Museums, though contact can always be established through the MDA.
MOVEMENT OF MATERIAL WITHIN A MUSEUM
PREAMBLE
The list of "musts" in Section B1.2 included the following:
It must be possible to locate every specimen;
Every significant event affecting a specimen must be recorded.
These two items form touchstones for the proper housekeeping of collections
within a museum and should dictate the procedures required for the control of
specimen movement.