Dear All—I’ve begun working at a small museum that is beginning to establish an archives and research library. For many years, items have been collected and housed under the pretense of an archive. One particular question I have is with regards to the housing of exhibit research materials. Is it necessary to place past exhibit materials within the institution’s collection or should it be housed in a different manner? In addition to past exhibits, photographs used in the exhibits have been added to the permanent photographic collection. May I maintain these photos for educational purposes and keep them separate from the institution’s permanent collection? Please advise. Thanks!

Jess