More specifically, Chapter II will deal with the background and history of the acquisition policy, starting with a brief overview of the history of museums in western society, and the history of the museum profession. I will then discuss what an acquisition policy is, who needs to have one, how do put one into effect, and why it is so necessary for the functioning of a good museum. In Chapter III, I will discuss the ethical and legal implications of acquisition policies. Adherence to the laws and suggestions discussed in this chapter will save the museum from unhappy patrons and lawsuits. This chapter will also deal with the ethics and responsibilities of loaned objects and what to do with them.
Loans can often be a tricky point in acquisition policies.
Chapter IV will focus on the problems and strengths of the South Florida Museum and what is currently being done. Once all these important aspects have been discussed, it is time to formulate a simple, yet effective and flexible acquisitions policy. Chapter V is devoted to how to write the policy, what to say, and how to protect the museum and its staff from future problems. Chapter VI will conclude this paper with some proposals for standardization in the museum field and how to accomplish them. At this point I will also summarize my findings and discuss a few final pointers to writing the perfect policy.