Good afternoon,

I am the manager of the mayor's office in the City of Surrey, BC, Canada.  We have a small room which has historically been used to house gifts and artefacts donated to the city, as well as the more recent additions of a paper shredder, computer printer, coat rack, a library of sorts, extra furniture... I'm sure you get the picture.  Did I mention the room is really small?

My problem is arranging to remove and dispose of the less historically valuable items.  I can't find a city policy which deals directly with artefacts, only documents, and no support or ideas forthcoming from the city clerk's office.  I am aware though, of previously accessioned works of art being deaccessioned and sold through auction, but I don't think that's they way to go in this case.

None of the gifts were officially accessioned, and I've been told that they therefore cannot be deaccessioned.  We have no record of where, when or from whom the gifts originated.  

Our city's archivist has indicated that he will take only those items which can be readily identified as having some historic or cultural value.  That leaves me with items to dispose of.  I have concerns about a previous donor contacting us to borrow an item back for an occasion, only to hear that we've thrown it out.

Can someone on the list provide some advice?  

Many thanks.

K. Miller, Manager
Offices of the Mayor and Council
604-591-4301
ps  I was a lurker for quite some time before I unsubscribed in 2005, and now that I'm back on board, I am looking forward to being more involved.  


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