To make a museum to run smoothly, many people work together behind the scenes. As one of those people, the museum registrar (or museum technician), has duties that often coincide with those of the museum curator/director. Musem registrars report directly to the curator and often specialize in a specific area of history.
Maintain Records
Every piece in a museum needs to be recorded and catalogued properly. Museum registrars are responsible for maintaining this documentation, which includes such information as the age of a piece, who donated it, whether the object is on loan from another museum, and the approximate value of the artifact. In addition, museum registrars might analyze these files to create statistical reports, such as calculating the popularity of an exhibition or tracking the effectiveness of museum programs.
Oversee Object Handling
Museums move pieces at a constant rate, whether by borrowing from, or loaning to, other museums. Keeping track of these pieces, or even entire collections, is part of a museum registrar's job. Registrars create records for the pieces, photograph the item, inspect it for damage, and prepare packages for shipping. Registrars also assist in moving items to and from museum storage to ensure proper handling.
Review Contracts and Policies
When one museum loans artifacts or requests pieces from another museum, museum staffers prepare binding contracts. Museum registrars oversee these contracts and include any necessary museum policies to guarantee legal compliance. Registrars may also draft contracts following written specifications.
Research Potential Museum Pieces
When a museum acquires a new piece, museum registrars research the piece's origin prior to the museum taking possession. This includes research on related subjects, past owners, and market value. Registrars must stay current with musem trends and be knowledgeable as possible about potential museum artifacts.
