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I think this would be the ideal dream situation for most curators, but in these squeezed times, if you're down to skeleton staff, the demand can be overwhelming! -----Original Message----- From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Geoff Hancock Sent: 08 July 2014 10:48 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Charging for enquiries When I was both smaller and younger, in fact about 12yrs old, when on holiday in Norfolk, I went into the Castle Museum, Norwich, with a section of a fossil elephant molar found under the cliffs at Bacton. I was completely bowled over by not just being told what it was but taken by the curator to his office (or that was what I thought it was, it could have been the store) where we were shown a drawer full in all different stages of preservation, size, etc. Coming from a part of the world (southern Lake District) where there were no museums that employed curators, this was a completely novel experience. Who knows if that accounted for my choice of career but if it had a formative role then I thank Brian McWilliams for it. I later met him "professionally" and thanked him for his kindness and patience. He was very polite as small boys and girls bearing things found lying about in the countryside must have dragged him away fairly frequently from whatever deep thoughts were engaging his attention. He wrote a book on the Fossil vertebrates of the Cromer forest bed in Norwich Castle Museum, running to two editions. I have tried to model my attitude to enquirers on this pattern. It is a lot more satisfying (and in fact easier) for both parties to show a visitor a drawer full of cockroaches or whatever to show the difference between the American and the Australian species rather than just tell them the name of it. There are many arguments for such a free service. What are the arguments for charging? Is there any museum in the world that charges small children with their precious matchbox contents or adults with a similar curiosity about our world? p.s. If Brian is still around someone say hi! Geoff Hancock Honorary Curator of Entomology The Hunterian (Zoology Museum) University of Glasgow Graham Kerr Building Glasgow, G12 8QQ E-mail - [log in to unmask] Tel: +44(0)141 330 2194 fax: +44(0)141 330 5971 Website: www.glasgow.ac.uk/hunterian Search for catalogued specimens at http://www.huntsearch.gla.ac.uk/ -----Original Message----- From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Nigel Larkin Sent: 08 July 2014 09:35 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Charging for enquiries Dear Jan, This was raised by Norfolk County Council some years back when I was curator of geology for Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service and was doing between 400 to 800 identifications a year. I quite pointedly reminded them (the bean counters) that most of these people were local and had already paid for the service - through their council tax and income tax. Besides which, if we put them off by charging (and it really would put them off) then we were failing in our duty to help 'inspire and inform' etc that was part of our mission statement at the time. Also, if we had been charging at the time we'd almost certainly not have had some incredibly important specimens and sites brought to our attention: we may have missed out on the West Runton Mammoth (at 85 percent complete the best skeleton ever found of a Steppe Mammoth anywhere in the world); not known about Lynford, the Neanderthal Woolly Mammoth butchery Site, (and the best Neanderthal site ever found in the UK); and completely been unaware of the various Lower Palaeolithic sites at Happisburgh on the North Norfolk coast (at between 600,00 and 990,000 years old they are the oldest archaeological sites this side of the Alps and the Pyrenees by far). All these sites, and plenty of others that are important that I could list for you, were brought to our attention through the public bringing in finds for a free identification. The public in Norfolk have literally helped to re-write history through being able to bring in to their local museum a few odd things from the beach they were puzzled by. At the other end of the scale, many dozens of children have been really excited to be told they've found a scrap of wolly mammoth bone or a sea urchin etc. They are potentially the scientists and curators of the future. I am sure they still don't charge in Norfolk but Dave would be able to update you. Apologies if all that sounds a bit 'Ranty'. But you did ask... With best wishes, Nigel. > Hi All, > > Just doing a bit of research. > > Does anyone charge for enquiries from the pubic? Not researchers, or > press/TV, just people bringing in specimens for curators to look at? > > Thanks all, > > Jan > > Jan Freedman > Curator of Natural History > Economic Development > Plymouth City Council > Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery > Drake Circus > Plymouth > PL4 8AJ > > T +441752304765 > E [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> > www.plymouth.gov.uk<http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/> > > ******************************************************************************** ************************************************************ > IMPORTANT: This e-mail (including any attachments to it) is strictly > confidential and intended solely for the person or organisation to > whom it is addressed. It may contain privileged, confidential or sensitive information. > If you are not the intended recipient, you must not copy or > distribute it to any other person or take any action in reliance. 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