Editing Collections Management Policy (section)

====Objects Found in the Collection====

'''Undocumented Objects'''

Our collection contains undocumented objects, and in many cases we have no idea where they came from. We must have a process for appropriately and formally adding them to the collection.

These objects will be accessioned and cared for as if they were owned by the Museum until such time as:
* The object has been in the collection for five years or more, and will become Museum property if there has been no claimant during that period.
* If, during that 5-year period, a claimant comes forth and provides satisfactory proof of ownership, the object will be turned over to that owner through a process managed by the Curator.
* The Curator shall decide whether these objects will be made part of the collection or will be recommended for deaccession.
* These objects shall be recorded on the Accessions form as “Found in Collection” and be processed according to Museum practice.

'''Object(s) with Incomplete Documentation'''

* Objects with a known donor and no record of date received shall be assigned an appropriate accession number.
* Objects with a known date of reception but no known donor shall be assigned an accession number from the year of donation and listed as “Found in Collection” in museum records.
* Objects with no known donor or record of date received may be accessioned if they have not been claimed by a person within 90 days after discovery.

'''Objects left in the custody of the museum'''

It is common to have items dropped off “on the doorstep” with no record of who left them with us.

Abandoned objects without a known owner will be processed by the Curator following the policy for Undocumented Objects.

The Museum rarely accepts objects left for such purposes as examination, research and identification. When it does, the object must:
* Be approved for custody by the Curator prior to acceptance;
* Be accompanied with a Registration of Custody form prior to acceptance;
* Be handled expeditiously to minimize risk and impact to the Museum.