Article title: Beyond repair – deaccession and the management of plastics
Authors: Alice Cannon
Journal: AICCM Bulletin
DOI: 10.1080/10344233.2023.2300236
When the article was first published, the authors have identified the error that were inadvertently introduced to the Abstract and the Acknowledgement section, and this affected some of the results. In order to rectify the error, the following changes have been made to the article.
A correction has been made on 1st and 10th page of the article, abstract and acknowledgement has been replaced with the correct text.
Abstract Published as :
The deaccession (removal) of items from a collection involves assessment of an item’s significance or value to that collection. Though ultimately a curatorial decision, cConservators aid this curatorial can play a key role in the decision-making process where by providing expert advice on the item’s condition. Aadvanced deterioration diminishes or negates thiscan alter the object to such a degree that its significance and value are reduced or even lost entirely. Museums Victoria’s deaccession record was examined in search of such information. Six case studies relating toinvolving the ‘gross deterioration’ of plastics were examined from Museums Victoria’s deaccession record, for information that illuminates how an object’s material condition affects in perceived significance.of plastics as the main criteria for deaccession were located and a A further eight case studies included commentary on where the condition of plastic components was discussed, even if condition was not a contributing factor to the argument for deaccession. In determining resource allocations for managing plastics in collections, these case studies suggest it may be useful to prioritise preventive interventions for objects made entirely or substantially from at-risk plastics such as cellulose acetate, polyurethane, or rubber; objects that are stand-alone examples of their kind; and objects intended as ‘single use’, such as stage props and other ephemeral items. Further, for social history collections, deterioration such as yellowing, surface abrasion and hardening may not make a critical difference to an object’s value. Change that significantly alters an object’s original shape is more likely to result in deaccession, such as crumbling or severe distortion.
Abstract Replaced as :
The deaccession (removal) of items from a collection involves assessment of an item’s significance or value to that collection. Conservators aid this curatorial decision-making process by providing expert advice on the item’s condition. Six case studies involving the ‘gross deterioration’ of plastics were examined from Museums Victoria’s deaccession record, for information that illuminates how an object’s material condition affects its perceived significance. A further eight case studies included commentary on the condition of plastic components, even if condition was not a contributing factor to the argument for deaccession. In determining resource allocations for managing plastics in collections, these case studies suggest it may be useful to prioritise preventive interventions for objects made entirely or substantially from at-risk plastics such as cellulose acetate, polyurethane, or rubber; objects that are stand-alone examples of their kind; and objects intended as ‘single use’. Further, for social history collections, deterioration such as yellowing, surface abrasion and hardening may not make a critical difference to an object’s value. Change that significantly alters an object’s original shape, such as crumbling or severe distortion, is more likely to result in deaccession.
Acknowledgement: Published as :
Many thanks to my colleagues who read and commented on this paper and whose deaccession documentation forms the basis of this research in particular, Maryanne McCubbin, Fiona Kinsey and Karina Palmer. Thanks also to the Bulletin reviewers, whose comments and feedback improved on the original submission.
Acknowledgement Replaced as :
Many thanks to my colleagues who read and commented on this paper and whose deaccession documentation forms the basis of this research – in particular, Maryanne McCubbin, Fiona Kinsey and Karina Palmer. Thanks also to the Bulletin reviewers, whose comments and feedback improved on the original submission.
This research was supported by the Australian Research Council Linkage Projects Scheme under Grant LP160100160
The abstract and the acknowledgement has been replaced in the article and published online.