Beyond documentation: an analytical approach towards the future of museums as information centres
In view of the records preservation status in Zimbabwe’s National Museums, this study tries to ascertain the future of museums as information centres. Using the records life cycle principle and the continuum model which state that documents should be properly managed from the time they are create...
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| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Midlands State University
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/11408/349 |
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| Summary: | In view of the records preservation status in Zimbabwe’s National Museums, this study tries
to ascertain the future of museums as information centres. Using the records life cycle
principle and the continuum model which state that documents should be properly managed
from the time they are created until their ultimate disposal, this study examined the
preservation strategies employed by Zimbabwe’s National Museums to ensure their records
survive into the future. For the museum’s purpose in life to be justified and meaningful,
records that are generated as a result of the museum's programmes and activities must be
regarded as corporate assets, whose preservation should be given due consideration. Using
the survey research design, the study employed interviews; questionnaires, observations and
the social media to collect data from the informants of the study. An overview of the
significant findings of the study reflects that museum records management issues are not yet
an appreciated phenomenon in Zimbabwe’s National Museums. That was evidenced by the
lack of knowledge and practice on basic records management activities such as the
availability of a records management policy, records procedures manual, conducting records
surveys, creating retention and disposal schedules. Objects are the raison d’etre of museums
and this renders object records as mission critical, to the extent that museums cannot
function without them. The study established that museum practitioners in Zimbabwe’s
National Museums focus absolutely on objects and object related records. The value of
records related to other museum functions or those that document wider administrative and
business activities is largely overlooked. These records include documentation concerning
building maintenance, development, finance, staff, exhibitions and projects. To that effect,
museum practitioners are encouraged to consider managing museum records as part of their
key duties. |
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