Open Forum

Hello everyone,

I was accessioning a collection of newly donated items the other day and came across a mailing envelope that arrived sealed.  My supervisor and I are unsure of the contents, but we can assume that they are relative to both our museum and to the collection because of the return address on the envelope.

My question is, therefore: do we open the envelope and risk ruining the original state of the item or do we open the envelope to investigate the contents further?

Any advice, suggestions, or past examples you might have are welcome!

Thanks!

------------------------------
[Erin] [Engel]
[MLIS graduate student, University of Illinois Urbana Champagin, 2018 (expected)]
[Head Intern, Collections Department]
[Joliet Area Historical Museum]
[Joliet] [Illinois]
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I would open them. They are of no use to anyone if no one knows what they are.

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Dana Willan
Columbia MD
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2017 05:01 PM
From: Erin Engel
Subject: What to do with seal envelopes that arrive with a donation

Hello everyone,

I was accessioning a collection of newly donated items the other day and came across a mailing envelope that arrived sealed.  My supervisor and I are unsure of the contents, but we can assume that they are relative to both our museum and to the collection because of the return address on the envelope.

My question is, therefore: do we open the envelope and risk ruining the original state of the item or do we open the envelope to investigate the contents further?

Any advice, suggestions, or past examples you might have are welcome!

Thanks!

------------------------------
[Erin] [Engel]
[MLIS graduate student, University of Illinois Urbana Champagin, 2018 (expected)]
[Head Intern, Collections Department]
[Joliet Area Historical Museum]
[Joliet] [Illinois]
------------------------------

​Don't judge a book by its cover.

------------------------------
Steven Miller
Executive Director Emeritus
Boscobel House and Gardens
Garrison NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2017 05:01 PM
From: Erin Engel
Subject: What to do with seal envelopes that arrive with a donation

Hello everyone,

I was accessioning a collection of newly donated items the other day and came across a mailing envelope that arrived sealed.  My supervisor and I are unsure of the contents, but we can assume that they are relative to both our museum and to the collection because of the return address on the envelope.

My question is, therefore: do we open the envelope and risk ruining the original state of the item or do we open the envelope to investigate the contents further?

Any advice, suggestions, or past examples you might have are welcome!

Thanks!

------------------------------
[Erin] [Engel]
[MLIS graduate student, University of Illinois Urbana Champagin, 2018 (expected)]
[Head Intern, Collections Department]
[Joliet Area Historical Museum]
[Joliet] [Illinois]
------------------------------

Original Message------

​Don't judge a book by its cover.

------------------------------
Steven Miller
Executive Director Emeritus
Boscobel House and Gardens
Garrison NY
------------------------------