We invite international submissions to be included in this forthcoming book, which will be published by MuseumsEtc in Autumn 2011.

The book will be edited by Peter Davies, Cultural Policy Advisor to
Canterbury City Council, who has a long-standing interest in how strategy
and policy can create a more sustainable museum sector. With an interest
in disposals born from a growing understanding of the value of collections
versus the cost of management, Peter is a museum professional with a
decade of experience at both practical and strategic levels.

What do we mean by "disposal"? Deaccessioning is the formal process of removing an object from the collections register, whereas disposal is the practical application of what you do with a deaccessioned object, ranging from sale to destruction and everything in between.

As museums enter an era of global recession and austerity, where
collecting for perpetuity is no longer the norm, and active disposals are
as much a part of collections management as accessioning, Museums and the
Disposals Debate will explore this increasingly discussed issue, bringing
together international guidance, opinion, best practice, and case studies
in deaccessioning and disposals policies and practice within museums large
and small.

How museums react to their changing role - from public collector to
effective manager - and review the purpose and role of collections within
their institution, will shape the future of the museum sector. What are
the issues in relation to disposals, and how can the benefits be weighed
against the challenges and pitfalls?

The book aims to be a timely addition to current deaccessioning and
disposals policies, plans and programmes, acting as a valuable advocate,
critical friend and information source for museum managers and collection
specialists across the sector.

We welcome submissions - of between 2000 to 6000 words - which address how
museums can respond to the disposals debate on areas including, but not
limited to:

• historical narratives on collections disposals • the challenges and
benefits of disposals • the new role of disposals in modern collections
management • designing and implementing an effective, practical disposals
policy and programme • ethical, legal and moral implications of disposing
of collections • the repercussions of disposals mismanagement • public and
professional reaction to the disposal of collections • developing an
objective collections review framework • managing collections-specific (eg
archaeology) disposals • developing sustainable collecting policies and
programmes • influencing and managing public opinion on museum disposals •
reviewing current policies, guidance and programmes • outcomes (positive
and negative) of disposal activities • consulting with stakeholders on
disposal policies and programmes • case studies of recent or current
disposal programmes

Contributions from international professionals who have developed and
delivered innovative programmes for the review, rationalisation and
disposal of collections from museums of all sizes are particularly
encouraged. We are also interested in museums that have made use of
nationally-developed policies and guidelines (eg those of the Museums
Association and the American Association of Museums) in this field.

If you are interested in being considered as a contributor, please send an
abstract (up to 250 words) and a short biography to both the editor
pjdavies2000hotmail.co.uk and the publishers booksmuseumsetc.com by 20
May 2011. Enquiries should also be sent to these addresses. Contributors
will receive a complimentary copy of the publication and a discount on
more.

The book will be published in both print and digital formats by MuseumsEtc
in Autumn 2011.

Confirmed contributors to date include:
AEA Consulting: Adrian Ellis, Director
Collections Trust: Nick Poole, Chief Executive
Institute of Ideas: Dr Tiffany Jenkins, Arts and Society Director
Philip Mould Fine Paintings Ltd: Dr Bendor Grosvenor, Director
UCL Museums & Collections

More information and a PDF version of this Call may be found at
www.museumsetc.com

Deadlines are as follows:
Proposals: due 20 May
Contributors notified: by 25 May
Completed papers: due 22 July
Publication: Autumn 2011