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SMMP ABSTRACT Abstract of a poster presented at the meeting of the International Mineralogical Association in Pisa, Italy, on September 4 - 9, 1994 SUPPORTING MINERAL COLLECTIONS: A ROLE FOR THE SOCIETY OF MINERAL MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS DeMouthe, J. F. (California Acad. of Sci., San Francisco, CA, USA), Harlow G. E., (American Museum of Nat. Hist., New York, NY, USA), and Francis C. A. (Harvard Univ. Mineral. Museum, Cambridge, MA, USA) Mineral collections and the mineralogists who curate them play a primary role in mineralogy, through exhibitions, education of the public, scientific research and the support of research by providing specimens, data and information. Museums are under increasing pressure to justify their function and mission which requires museum professionals to communicate more effectively among themselves and with the public, supporters and those who utilize their collections. Likewise, museum mineralogists need to coordinate their activities to be more effective. The Society of Mineral Museum Professionals (SMMP), formerly Mineral Museums Advisory Council (MMAC), aims to meet these challenges in a variety of ways. The mission of the society is to "foster recognition of mineral science collections as essential scientific, educational and cultural resources; to promote support for growth, maintenance and use of collections and exhibits; to advance museum practice through cooperation in the development, review and dissemination of information." Current activities and projects of the Society include:
Presently the Society is predominantly a North American organization, bit it looks forward to a broader membership and seeks cooperation with other organizations around the world. Further information and membership forms are available through the authors. |
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