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Copyright of International Journal for Tourism, Archeology & Hospitality (IJTAH) is the property of Beni Suef University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

For nearly a decade, there has been recognition of the need for an African American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (AAGPRA) or similar legislation. Experiences from implementing the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) have shed light on challenges that prevent practitioners from achieving the informed, respectful, and expeditious return of remains. Given the likelihood of federal legislation addressing the repatriation of persons of African descent and acknowledging the hurdles that practitioners may face if and when it is passed, we offer a practical model, START, to reorient our understanding of success to recognizing that incremental progress is still forward movement. The model is organized into five stages and is presented with context from NAGPRA, along with suggested steps that practitioners can take at each stage to help build on their success. The START model is a straightforward and practical checklist approach that helps practitioners recognize the victories achieved in small steps that could be hidden or prevented by misguided but well-intentioned attempts at perfection. It is directly applicable to preparation for repatriation but has utility for any curation or collections management context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This theme issue has two primary goals: to illuminate the underdeveloped or faltering areas of the discipline as they relate to archaeological collections and to offer tangible paths forward to address the systemic problems identified as they impact the future of archaeology. Present-day archaeology is complicated due to its many sectors of practice: academia/faculty; cultural resource management; federal, state, and local government; tribal governments and communities; descendant communities; students; the general public; and different types of archaeological repositories. Given this complexity, it can be difficult to identify the expectations (and realities) of each sector, which, if better understood, would help illuminate the nuances of preservation, accountability, discoverability, and use of archaeological collections across the discipline. Without a solid understanding of these nuances, efforts to advance the discipline are undermined. This introduction provides an overview of the articles that address emerging and urgent issues and offer viable steps forward. These challenges include the interrelationships between ethics, collaboration, and training; the preservation and management of digital records and data; collections discovery and reuse; collections-based research; training in material culture; making collections knowable to constituencies outside archaeology; preparing for repatriation from a management perspective; and the intricacies of the archaeological digital data system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major problem in collections management is the lack of training about collections in all facets of archaeology. Ignorance about both ethical obligations and practical steps associated with collections is arguably the leading contributor to the ongoing curation crisis. This work summarizes shortcomings in collections training in academia and in cultural resource management, and it proceeds to identify some steps that can be taken to provide training for students and professional archaeologists. The overriding argument is that more training in all aspects of collections is absolutely essential to addressing and beginning to mitigate the overwhelming problems the discipline faces in caring for archaeological collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Archaeologists are taught about the importance of professional recordation and our ethical obligations to those associated records and data. These teachings imply that practitioners are meeting a professional standard of recordation that will stand the test of time, but the ongoing digital revolution is changing the way records and data are created and preserved. Best practices for the management and use of digital archaeological records have been published, and devoted digital archives offer these services. However, the ability of traditional archaeological repositories to adopt best practices or pay for digital curation is poorly understood. This article presents the results of a survey asking how the flood of digital records and data has impacted the ability of archaeological repositories to collect, manage, preserve, use, and make accessible digital archaeological records and data. Are repositories adopting the best practices that have been outlined? What kinds of challenges do repositories face regarding digital records and data? Are they being overcome successfully? The survey results offer a snapshot of current practice and point to future directions that should be pursued to ensure that the discipline is meeting its professional obligations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For 15 years, the University of Idaho has conducted chemical testing of excavated materials from historical sites throughout North America. The most common artifacts tested are sealed containers. Some come from current excavations, but most are from repository shelves. The immediate purpose of the archaeochemistry work is twofold: to identify the contents of the containers for researchers and to provide training for students in analytical chemistry. After testing more than 500 items, project personnel have recognized some unexpected outcomes that have implications for institutions housing the artifacts. Specifically, tested materials identified the small, yet consistent, presence of certain artifacts that can have health implications for personnel working with the items. The article concludes with general guidance on identifying and assessing those risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Registrars are an integral part of many contemporary museums, yet theirs is a role that can be difficult to grasp with any certainty. By examining the interconnected functions and duties that constitute registrar practice, this article seeks to determine its scope with greater clarity. To establish the context and rationale for this study, I explore the reasons for the development of competing perceptions surrounding the registrar profession. The article then surveys the definitions of the role present in the published literature to identify the functions most commonly identified with registrar practice. Using the principles of assemblage theory, it fashions a new interpretation of registrar practice from the individual processes that are most widely ascribed to it. The resulting ‘assembled role’ encompasses the fields of resource management, logistics, and risk management. This concept is harnessed to explore the complexities of contemporary registrar practice by considering their role in the acquisition of a born-digital meme. The article concludes by advocating further critical examination of museum registrars and anticipating their continuing importance to the work of museums.

This paper seeks to characterize the maturity of digital initiatives in Philippine academic libraries, focusing on the sustainability of digitization activities. For its literature review, this paper presents local digitization initiatives, guidelines, standards, and good practices on digitization as presented in research, and prevailing digital library services during the COVID-19 pandemic. It employed a descriptive-comparative research design to obtain information on digitization programs implemented in higher education and research-producing institutions. Five of the 12 verified institutions with digitization programs were engaged for further interviews. The respondents cited the lack of staff, dedicated physical space, and inadequate equipment and funding as barriers to implementing a digitization program. Most of the respondents' digitization initiatives began in response to external triggers rather than as a part of a comprehensive strategy to provide digital library services. The project-based approach to these activities affects the sustainability of digitization programs. The study recommends organizing more consultancy programs in digitization, teaching digitization ICT applications in LIS schools, information companies offering digitization services, digitization communities of practice, and consortia for sharing facilities and expertise. With the requirements of a more robust digital framework to provide flexible access, Philippine academic libraries must review their short- and long-term goals and figure out where digitization can be integrated within said goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As libraries and communities consider institutional values and ethical standards, there is a need to scrutinize how those values and standards connect with collections decisions. An existing body of literature about the contents of the collections exists, with respect to issues like decolonization and open access, but little about the business relationships libraries maintain in order to acquire these collections. In this paper, librarians from Purdue University take a critical approach to identifying the values of their institution at multiple levels, including a newly released Libraries strategic plan, to create a values-based evaluation tool for future collection assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Registrars are an integral part of many contemporary museums, yet theirs is a role that can be difficult to grasp with any certainty. By examining the interconnected functions and duties that constitute registrar practice, this article seeks to determine its scope with greater clarity. To establish the context and rationale for this study, I explore the reasons for the development of competing perceptions surrounding the registrar profession. The article then surveys the definitions of the role present in the published literature to identify the functions most commonly identified with registrar practice. Using the principles of assemblage theory, it fashions a new interpretation of registrar practice from the individual processes that are most widely ascribed to it. The resulting 'assembled role' encompasses the fields of resource management, logistics, and risk management. This concept is harnessed to explore the complexities of contemporary registrar practice by considering their role in the acquisition of a born-digital meme. The article concludes by advocating further critical examination of museum registrars and anticipating their continuing importance to the work of museums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hvad ligger bag det lave antal værker af kvindelige kunstnere i en national kunstsamling? Med inspiration fra teori, der på forskellig vis takler ufuldendte arkiver samt empiri fra et studiejob i Den Kongelige Kobberstiksamling, viser artiklen mønstre bag indsamlingen af kvindelige kunstnere på Statens Museum for Kunst i København og foreslår forbindelser i det fragmenterede materiale, der kan tjene som mulige reparative læsninger.

Background: In South Africa, and globally, the value of natural science collections for scientific research is not widely recognised and has led to its marginalisation, which in turn has resulted in low funding, staffing and use of the collections. Aim & objectives: To this end, as part of the effort to increase understanding and appreciation of the collections, a cross-sectional web-based survey was administered to users of natural science collections (NSCs) in South Africa. The objectives of the study were to identify the perceived value of NSCs to the research community; perceived or experienced barriers in accessing NSCs and associated data for use in research; perceptions of NSCs’ current performance in serving the needs of stakeholders; and how performance is judged and what the expectations are to improve future performance of NSCs to better serve the needs of stakeholders. Methods: The survey consisted of 26 questions, distributed by email to relevant researcher community mailing lists, and posted on relevant social media groups. The survey was completed by 131 respondents. Results & conclusion: The study indicated the overall perception of the importance of NSCs and their accessibility to the student and researcher community in South Africa and internationally to be extremely important to their research. Lack of funding for operations and staff impedes the ability of researchers and other users alike in using NSCs to optimise their research and contribute to issues of societal concern. A sustained commitment is required from NSC institutions to work together to solve various challenges, including improvement in serving stakeholder needs, which will in turn assist with demonstrating the value of NSCs to policymakers, in order to lobby for support and funding. Improved recognition of the importance of NSCs for research by the scientific community will assist NSCs in demonstrating their impact. Political priority should also be given to the long-term upkeep and ongoing assistance of institutional infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caring for many objects is one of the more challenging aspects of the museum profession. In museums that collect cultural belongings, utilizing best care practices ensures that objects of cultural heritage can be studied and appreciated by the peoples whose cultures they represent. Thus, providing collections care is necessary to support learning and to further the efforts of decolonization. However, in many museum education departments, a specialized collections management role does not exist to care for teaching collections. This case study examines why it is essential for education departments to have a dedicated collections manager, particularly in the era of museum decolonization. The case study details how the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle, Washington, applied decolonial efforts to collection management as our team preserves a cultural belonging from the Lummi Nation in our teaching collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic raises questions about curation, collecting, and the ethics of documenting a traumatic event as it occurs in real time. Such concerns became clear as the co-authors embarked on a multi-sited study of the pandemic's impact on four communities in two different countries. Defining an 'artefact' or what is archaeological, for instance, became a complicated exercise; do chalk artworks on the sidewalk, painted rocks lining a neighbourhood trail, posters stapled on community billboards, and stuffed animals in someone's window count as archaeological artefacts? Determining the temporal boundaries of the pandemic is also difficult; while it is fairly clear when the pandemic first began, it continues to have an impact on our post-lockdown world. Its global impact also means that the material changes and landscape alterations the co-authors witnessed were not confined or isolated to one place and one time, but rather exist in multitudes across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines genetic diversity and structure of a Croatian garlic germplasm collection using 13 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A total of 71 alleles were observed across 64 accessions representing 3 Croatian regions (Istria, Dalmatia and continental Croatia) and 16 foreign landraces, with an average of 5.46 alleles per locus. Among the 80 accessions analysed, 61 distinct multilocus genotypes (MLG) were identified, of which 51 represented unique genotypes and the remaining accessions were divided into 10 MLG groups, comprising potential duplicates or redundant genotypes. Model-based Bayesian and hierarchical UPGMA clustering approaches revealed five major groups within the collection which partially correlated with geographical origin. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that the majority (87.71%) of the total molecular diversity is within the Croatian groups of accessions, even though a significant share (12.29%) of diversity derived from genetic diversity among groups. These results support regional structuring, as well as the existence of significant diversity within local populations. This study is the first comprehensive report on an extensive evaluation of genetic resources of garlic maintained by Croatia with the aim of setting the course for future preservation strategies with particular emphasis on the value of diversity in the context of climate change both on macro and micro levels.

While archives and special collections continue to welcome unique and valuable resources, small academic libraries can struggle with how to manage donation offers intended for their main collections. There is a need to be selective considering falling print circulation, workload pressures on library personnel, and space restrictions. Additionally, limited collections funds needed for more current and higher-demand resources can be strained by the higher processing costs of donated materials. These pressures are compounded by prospective donors seeking a home for items they no longer want, a perception that small academic libraries need all donations, and a lack of understanding about the qualifications and expertise of academic library workers. Clearly communicated and regularly reviewed guidelines can help discourage unwanted donations in ways that lessen alienating our patrons. This article provides a content analysis of donations webpages from small academic libraries in Canada to identify trends and provide support for libraries reviewing their own policies and procedures in an effort to manage donor expectations.

The Paleontological Collection (PalCo) is one of partial collections of the Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus. General principles and guidelines for the collections are defined in the General Collection Policy of Luomus. The PalCo Policy is subordinate to the General Collection Policy of Luomus, clarifying its content with reference to the special characteristics of the paleontological collections. The PalCo includes fossil plant, invertebrate and vertebrate specimens worldwide in scope and from all geologic ages to support Finnish research and educational projects. The coverage emphasizes Paleozoic and Quaternary specimens from Finland, the Baltic countries and Scandinavia. The PalCo Policy defines the purpose of the collections, the objectives, the distribution of responsibilities for collection management and maintenance in the organisation, and the principles of collection accumulation, preservation, accessibility and use.

The 2018 SAA statement encouraging collaboration between archaeologists and "responsible and responsive stewards" included recommendations epitomizing decades of established practice at the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA), a research center housing the State Archaeological Repository of Iowa. At the time the SAA statement was published, OSA staff were actively implementing a grant supporting transfer to the State Repository of the John and Phil Palmquist Archaeological Collection. This grant was designed to provide hands-on research experience for undergraduate students interested in archaeology and collections management while recording improved site locational data and artifact specific documentation, including on relatively rare (for the area) red pipestone artifacts. Although modest by some standards, the Palmquist Collection includes 860 artifacts from 26 locations recorded through 40 years of surface survey by the family in a portion of Iowa that is rarely the focus of professional archaeologists. This article provides a case study of responsible archaeological practice implementing SAA recommendations, including treating collector-collaborators with respect, encouraging collector assistance in the recording of finds, capturing research data from a private collection, and facilitating curation of privately owned materials. We include brief consideration of the impact of the Palmquist Collection on the understanding of southwestern Iowa archaeology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While archives and special collections continue to welcome unique and valuable resources, small academic libraries can struggle with how to manage donation offers intended for their main collections. There is a need to be selective considering falling print circulation, workload increases for library personnel, and space restrictions. Additionally, limited collections funds needed for more current and higher-demand resources can be strained by the higher processing costs of donated materials. These pressures are compounded by prospective donors seeking a home for items they no longer want, a perception that small academic libraries need all donations, and a lack of understanding about the qualifications and expertise of academic library workers. Clearly communicated and regularly reviewed guidelines can help discourage unwanted donations in ways that lessen alienating our patrons. This article provides a content analysis of donations webpages from small academic libraries in Canada to identify trends and provide support for libraries reviewing their own policies and procedures in an effort to manage donor expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The birth of museums in India has its origins in colonial rule. While the country today counts over 800 museums, proper collections management and its treatment as a pivotal museum function have not taken hold widely. Several challenges remain, including a lack of space, the scarcity and misallocation of funds, and, critically, an absence of national standards and guidelines for collections storage and management. While the Indian government created a digital repository in 2014 through an initiative called JATAN, the sector still trails behind in the fundamentals of collection storage and documentation, and in digitising collections. This article, drawing on responses from anonymous respondents to a specially designed questionnaire, examines inadequate storage practices in India, while also assessing the attitudes of Indian museum professionals towards collection storage over the last decade. Further, it sheds important light on the sharp divide between those who manage collections and those who curate in the subcontinent. The article additionally offers a template for the development of a national policy for collection storage and usage: one that covers multiple concerns, from weather conditions and disasters to objects of sacred relevance (especially in palaces that exemplify living heritage). Taken together, these suggestions can serve to standardise practices across museums in India. This article also highlights a requirement for documentation guidelines and accessibility of collections for myriad uses—research, teaching and curation—across India and the world. Lastly, it explores the need for greater capacity building, given insufficient educational frameworks and a lack of formally taught museology courses. For this purpose, it discusses crucial national and international reports published over a decade and qualitative data gathered through primary interactions with professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the information age, storage has become an essential element of managing museum collections. The complexity and variety of functions now encompassed by storage have moved it beyond its traditional conception to be regarded as a system of interconnected and organised elements that work as a whole and fosters knowledge through complex flows of information. Having recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, with three million visitors a year and an online audience that exceeds 10 million, the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, Spain, has accumulated extensive experience in the management of its collections. Highlighting the importance of information generated by storage systems is key to our proposal for more efficient museum management. It also allows us to address the continuous challenges of a changing society, which has emerging values related to participation, sustainability and new forms of accessing heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pós: Revista do Programa de POS-Graduacao Em Artes - EBA/UFMG is the property of Pos - Programa de Pos-graduacao em Artes (PPG-Artes) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article describes a collections survey project undertaken by the staff of the University Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives Department at the University of Nevada, Reno, to begin the archives' alignment with the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials. The method devised to survey the collection is assessed for its validity and potential application to further survey work. The analysis of the Protocols alignment survey as a case study also offers insights about critical self-reflection and ways for non-Indigenous archivists to strive toward social justice and Protocols alignment using existing discovery and description frameworks as a starting point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paleontological Collection (PalCo) is one of partial collections of the Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus. General principles and guidelines for the collections are defined in the General Collection Policy of Luomus. The PalCo Policy is subordinate to the General Collection Policy of Luomus, clarifying its content with reference to the special characteristics of the paleontological collections. The PalCo includes fossil plant, invertebrate and vertebrate specimens worldwide in scope and from all geologic ages to support Finnish research and educational projects. The coverage emphasizes Paleozoic and Quaternary specimens from Finland, the Baltic countries and Scandinavia. The PalCo Policy defines the purpose of the collections, the objectives, the distribution of responsibilities for collection management and maintenance in the organisation, and the principles of collection accumulation, preservation, accessibility and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The School of Fine Arts of Nancy (now École nationale supérieure d’art et de design) bases its pedagogical practices on a collection of models that has been constantly evolving since 1793. Initially subordinate to the municipal museum, the teaching for drawing and modeling benefits from its proximity with important works from the Italian, Flemish and French schools. The collection of plaster casts built up at the same time was significantly enriched by loans from the Institut d’archéologie classique (université de Nancy) after 1918. The innovative principles of Art Nouveau also irrigate pedagogy, first by the purchase of Japanese works from 1891 and under the direction of Victor Prouvé, second president of the École de Nancy, during the inter-war period. The acquisition of some 6400 autochromes in the mid-1920s is the highlight of this period. In the aftermath of the Second World War, educational reforms relegated the ancient models in closets, basements and attics. The last two decades, on the contrary, are distinguished by the conservation, study and valorization of these collections (creation of an air-conditioned reserve, digitization programs, loans for exhibitions, new teaching uses).

Copyright of Revista de Arqueologia is the property of Revista de Arqueologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The herbarium collections are sub-collections of the Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus that manages national natural history collections, as referred to in the Universities Act. The general collections policy defines the overall principles and guidelines concerning the collections practices. The sub-collections policies specify its guidelines and instructions, considering the special nature of the sub-collections. The policy for the botanical and mycological herbarium collections guides the activities related to all botanical, mycological and phycological collections in herbaria, hence excluding digital collections, DNA and tissue samples as well as living collections, which have separate policies. The herbarium collections policy defines and outlines the purpose of the collections as is to accrue and preserve natural specimens representing biodiversity for research and university-level teaching. The policy defines the objectives and content of related activities, the division of responsibilities for the administration and care of the collections within the organisation, and the general principles and practices for the acquisition, preservation, availability and use of the collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this case study, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Health Sciences Library describes how a flexible and technology-focused service model, liaison relationships, and individual expertise all contributed towards rapid mobilization of online instruction, virtual library services, and new resources to keep pace with the sudden needs of their user communities in the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine and local Las Vegas community prior to and during stay-at-home mandates related to the COVID-19 global pandemic of 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Duke University's Archive of Documentary Arts as a case study, this paper will examine acquisition and cataloging strategies that can be applied within the structure of an existing special collections library in order to develop diverse and inclusive photography collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately identifying the color of an artifact or object in situ usually requires the use of a spectrophotometer and a Munsell color chart. Once determined, the translation of color often gets altered as photographs are taken and uploaded to online databases and printed or viewed on a variety of computer and mobile screens of variable calibrations. The aim of this study is twofold: First, to test the accuracy and reliability of a mobile app and two portable spectrophotometers, and second, to identify the exact CIE L*a*b* color of three 1920s green dresses, with visible signs of fading and discoloration, from the collection of The Fashion Archive. An adapted zone grid system for assessing color was developed based on quality assurance product zoning grids used within the apparel manufacturing sector and the grid system method of recording archaeological sites. Color measurements were taken using a mobile app and both the Nix Mini? and the Nix Pro? spectrophotometers to compare accuracy and reliability. The exact color of each object was calculated by averaging multiple measurements whose selection was determined by the adapted zone grid system for the CIE L*a*b* coordinates. An overall CIE L*a*b* true color measurement was then assigned to each of the three green dresses that can be used as a reference and keyword search for the dresses' data and identification in an archival record system and database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista CPC is the property of Revista CPC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Conservar Património is the property of Associacao Profissional de Conservadores-Restauradores de Portugal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Queensland Museum is custodian of a growing and significant historical archaeology collection, acquired over recent decades and originating solely within Queensland. Recent curatorial work produced a summary of the collection identifying key themes, assemblages and cultural significance. This data was collated into a collection summary document and used to strategically inform management of the Museum's historical archaeology collection. This process of characterising the collection revealed collection gaps including under-representation of key themes and chronological periods within Queensland's development. The characterisation also highlighted issues commonly identified in literature as a 'curation crisis', including storage pressures, issues of accessibility, and an ongoing lack of engagement with the collection by curators, researchers and the broader community. This paper outlines the collection summary project and details strategic activities designed to alleviate the crisis as it manifests at the Queensland Museum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos de Documentacion Multimedia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Museums are our memory banks. They tell us where we have come from. They also allow us to imagine where we are heading. Which is why it should trouble us that there has never been a truly Australian museum. Each of our state and federal museums has been built on Aboriginal collections, and each has been built on distinctly Western or European concepts, values, categories and practices. Some of these are unavoidable, but are they all? Are we too far down the path to restump the foundations of our institutions and the narratives they perpetuate in public life? The South Australian Museum holds one of the most important collections of Aboriginal material culture in the world. It is, therefore, given the story it can tell about ancient and enduring cultures, one of the most important collections of human heritage on our planet. What we do with such collections, and what we don't, defines us. This is the great challenge of contemporary custodianship. These collections are calling us out. In this lecture I examine the South Australian Museum's response to this challenge. Over the past two years our Museum has undertaken a comprehensive rethink of our policies and practices and the politics of both. We are also transforming the way we work with Aboriginal communities and custodians. This is not simply a question of how collections are displayed or exhibitions are developed. We are rethinking the terms of our custodianship, and the kind of truly Australian Museum that could evolve around those new foundations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many collections in the UK include some radioactive objects, which must be managed in accordance with the Environmental Permitting Regulations and the Ionising Radiation Regulations. These laws are complex and cover a wide range of industries so it can be difficult to work out how they apply to museums in practice. Museums in the UK also have to consider how to integrate their legal obligations for working with radiation with accepted museum ethical guidelines, SPECTRUM 5.0 and the Accreditation Standard. This paper aims to illustrate how radioactive objects can be practically managed in a small museum context through examples from the Polar Museum in Cambridge, where the Radiation Protection team and the conservator have worked closely since 2009 to develop robust procedures. It covers many collections based activities including display, storage and conservation, and discusses these in the context of recent updates to UK law. A risk assessment template for working with radioactive collections is included as an Appendix.