Documenting Your Collections
Info-Muse Network Documentation Guide

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Acquisition Mode (Source)

Definition:

Observations:

1. For better search results from the database, use this field with the following authority list:
   
   bequest
   An object left to your institution in an individual's will is transferred permanently to your institution.
   Example

   Monica Benson left a pipe to your institution when her will was read out on June 30, 1989.

   	Object Name	pipe
   	Acquisition Mode	bequest
   	Accession Date	1989-06-30
   	Source	Benson, Monica

   birth
   A specimen is born in your institution.
   
   deposit
   An object was placed on deposit with your institution for a limited time, with a view to your acquiring it.
   
   N.B.: It is common practice to use the term "deposit" for an object that has been placed with an institution for an unlimited time, but this is incorrect. In such cases, the appropriate term is "unlimited loan." This information cannot be entered in this field, however, because the object has not been acquired by the institution.
   
   N.B.: "Deposit" is a temporary acquisition mode. If objects have been deposited with your institution for an unspecified duration, acquisition procedures such as purchase or donation should be considered.
   Example

   A ladle was deposited with your institution on January 13, 1989, by Jocelyn Meloche, to be presented at the next meeting of the acquisitions committee.¹

   	Object Name	ladle
   	Acquisition Mode	deposit
   	Accession Date	1989-01-13
   	Source	Meloche, Jocelyn

   excavation
   An authority mandated by your institution gathered an object by digging into the ground or looking underwater.
   
   N.B.: Underwater digs do not necessarily mean that the object was recovered from beneath the ground. It may have been freed from the surface under which it was at least partly buried.
   Example

   A knife blade was acquired on September 15, 1979, during digs carried out on your institution's property, by two archaeologists working for your institution, Mel Fernandez and Charles Morris.

   	Object Name	knife blade
   	Acquisition Mode	excavation
   	Accession Date	1979-09-15
   	Site Researcher	Fernandez, Mel; Morris, Charles

   exchange
   An object is permanently transferred to your institution from another institution, in exchange for another object.
   Example

   You obtained a chopping tool on October 23, 1992, from the Cold Water Divers Museum. In exchange, you gave it an object from your Museum.

   	Object Name	chopping tool
   	Acquisition Mode	exchange
   	Accession Date	1992-10-23
   	Source	Cold Water Divers Museum

   found
   An authority mandated by your institution collected the object from the surface or in the water.
   
   This mode is most common for archaeological objects and natural science specimens.
   Example

   A gunflint was collected from the surface on May 6, 1985, by an archaeologist on an excursion organized by your institution on your land.

   	Object Name	gunflint
   	Acquisition Mode	found
   	Accession Date	1985-05-06
   	Site Researcher	Jones, Bill

   gift
   An object has been given permanently to your institution.
   
   N.B.: It may be considered a gift even if your institution issues an income tax receipt.
   Example

   A musket was given to your institution on May 16, 1991, by the Sharpshooters Club

   	Object Name	musket
   	Acquisition Mode	gift
   	Accession Date	1991-05-16
   	Source	Sharpshooters Club

   integration of art and architecture
   A work of art was acquired by your institution as part of the policy on integrating art with architecture and the environment in public buildings. Under this legislation, part of the construction budget for a public building (1 %) must go toward having a work of art created by a visual artist from Quebec.
   Example

   A painting was done for the entrance to the new wing of your institution, on June 4, 1988, under the "1 % Act."

   	Object Name	painting
   	Acquisition Mode	integration of art and architecture
   	Accession Date	1988-06-04

   purchase
   The object was obtained by your institution in exchange for payment.
   Example

   On July 21, 1990, your institution purchased a cannonball belonging to Noranda Mines.

   	Object Name	cannonball
   	Acquisition Mode	purchase
   	Accession Date	1990-07-21
   	Source	Noranda Mines

   staff commissioned
   An object was commissioned by your institution and produced by one or more individuals working for the institution.
   Example

   A sedan chair was made on May 15, 1990, by your cabinetmaker, at the request of your institution's exhibitions department. The chair is now part of your permanent collection.

   	Object Name	sedan chair
   	Acquisition Mode	staff commissioned
   	Accession Date	1990-05-15

   transfer
   An object is permanently transferred from another institution to yours, or from the consolidated fonds of your institution to your collections.
   Example

   A cannon, from the Weapons Museum, was transferred to your institution on April 13, 1990. It is now part of your permanent collection.

   	Object Name	cannon
   	Acquisition Mode	transfer
   	Accession Date	1990-04-13
   	Source	Weapons Museum

   unknown
   Acquisition mode impossible to determine, even following research.
   Example

   Despite all your research, you cannot determine how your institution acquired a scraper. Nonetheless, you know that the object came to your institution in 1970.

   	Object Name	scraper
   	Acquisition Mode	unknown
   	Accession Date	1970
   	Source	unknown

2. This field is used in conjunction with the Accession Date and Source fields.
   Example

   A dagger acquired as a result of excavation by Paul Ranger on February 9, 1924

   	Object Name	dagger
   	Acquisition Mode	excavation
   	Accession Date	1924-02-09
   	Source	Ranger, Paul

Entry rules:

1. Enter the full acquisition mode of the object; do not use abbreviations.
   Example

   A pendant bequeathed by Hatty Lawrence on March 14, 1982

   	Object Name	pendant
   	Acquisition Mode	bequest
   	Accession Date	1982-03-14
   	Source	Lawrence, Hatty

2. If you are unsure whether your information is correct, include a space and a question mark after the keyword.
   Example

   A grindstone, probably purchased, in your collections since 1919.

   	Object Name	grindstone
   	Acquisition Mode	purchase ?
   	Accession Date	1919
   	Source	unknown

3. This field may not contain more than one entry.