Welcome to the nerve centre of the museum. Every object that passes through the doors – coming or going – must be accounted for. The registration process ensures we know what we own, what’s out on loan, what’s borrowed and even what we have to dispose of. When you’re home to as many exhibits and collections as this museum, this is a huge and vital job. Is there room in the collection store for a new acquisition? Does it fit our collection policy? Does it need special conservation work? Are there any legal or copyright issues about displaying it? And when the museum decides that something is past its use-by date – known as “de-accession” – the whole process has to happen in reverse. If the museum has lent or borrowed objects, registration is responsible for the contracts, insurance and freight logistics. So much paper work, so little time!
