Museum Handbook, Part II: Museum Records

This NPS Handbook outlines policies and procedures for documenting National Park Service museum collections. It covers accessioning, cataloging, inventory and accountability, loans, deaccessioning, photography, and reporting annual collection management data. Each chapter provides customizable forms.

Keyword Searchable Museum Handbook, Part II: Museum Records

Chapters:

• Table of Contents
• Chapter 1: Documenting Museum Collections 2000
• Chapter 2a: Accessioning 2000
• Chapter 2b:Additional Forms and Figures 2000
• Chapter 3: Cataloging 2000
• Chapter 4: Inventory and Other Special Instructions 2000
• Chapter 5: Outgoing Loans 2000
• Chapter 6: Deaccessioning 2000

Appendices:

• A: Mandates and Standards for NPS Museum Collections 2021
• B: Collections Advisory Committee 2021
  • Fillable Forms
• C: Cataloging Guidelines 2020
• D: Museum Archives and Manuscript Collections 2008 (Update In Progress)
  • For guidance on managing archival material, contact the National Park Service's bureau archivist.
  • Other Resources (only accessible to National Park Service staff on the DOI network)
    • Archives Technical Notes (SharePoint Site)
    • Managing NPS Archival Collections (DOI Talent)
• E: Archeology 2000
• F: Ethnology 2000
• G: History 2000
• H: Natural History 2012
  • Policy on Trace Fossils and Their Molds and Casts 2020
• I: Lot Cataloging 2000
• J: Marking 2000
• K: Photography 2000
• L: Reporting and Documenting Loss of Museum Objects 2020
• M: Memorial Items 2017
• N: Reproductions, Period Pieces, Living History Items, Exhibit Props, and Outdoor Exhibits 2018
• O: Appraisals 2020