The American Numismatic Society Plan: 2000-2005
The following document is a draft dated October 2, 2000. While it is representative of the Society's current thinking, it should not be taken as final. An RTF version readable by word processors is available here.
Introduction: focus on opportunity, what will be possible in the new space, stressing ANS commitment to scholarly excellence (collection, library, curatorial staff) and incorporating future program excellence (outreach). The development of vital, interdependent programs which will bring ANS expertise to the public as well as the ANS consituency.
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PROGRAM
All services the ANS provides for the numismatic community as well as
facilities made necessary by these programs: collection, curatorial, library,
archives, education, publishing, website and photography.
Collection and Curatorial Departments
Goal: Utilize increased space in new building to enhance research facilities for scholars and interested public.
Objectives:
1. Establish secure coin viewing room overseen by guards and supervised by curators.
2. Design space separate from main vaults to encourage access to curatorial expertise while allowing curatorial activities to continue when direct assistance is not needed.
3. Provide on-premises computer access to the ANS image/data system so that visitors can select objects they wish to view from the collection. Color printouts will be available.
Goal: Improve ANS cataloging process
Objectives:
4. Assess and schedule cataloging of paper, medals, tokens, decorations, weights and balances collections over ten-year period; identify funding and engage volunteer support.
5. Enter accession records from 1858 in computer database; conserve and digitize record books for researchers.
6. Assess actual direct and indirect costs of processing (cataloging, etc) contributed collections including time and materials; develop policies for acquisitions that reflect the results of this assessment.
7. Conserve deteriorating coins (lead, copper and tin); seek advice regarding environmental safeguards.
Goal: Strengthen and augment curatorial department
Objectives:
8. Raise funds for an additional endowed curatorial chair in three years, increasing endowed chairs to four: United States, Islamic, Margaret Thompson Greek Chair and __________.
9. Hire temporary curators for one or two years to organize and curate collection in need of attention; e.g. U.S. tokens, ancient India, paper money, etc.
Goal: Collaborate with ANS program departments (Education, Publications) to develop outreach programs for a variety of communities (some objectives listed below under these departments.)
10. Develop training course for museum professionals on how to care for and make available a numismatic collection.
Goal: Provide time, resources and other institutional support to allow curators to pursue scholarly research.
Objectives:
11. Raise funds to endow the research expenses of the curatorial staff.
12. Assess the schedule of research leave and investigate other models for allocating curatorial time such as a system of regular extended sabbaticals as opposed to the current annual research leaves.
Library
Goal: Support the informational needs of membership, scholars and the general public and staff through the referencing of numismatic publications, domestic and foreign utilizing information technology.
Objectives:
1. Complete library's online catalog component as part of already established ordering, acquisitions, and subject authority database (LOAC).
2. Provide "clean" bibliographic records devoid of unauthorized/incorrect subject headings, editing records online using global change capabilites of the online catalog.
3. Ensure the reader is guided to all works of a single author by developing and installing a procedure for name authority work.
4. Provide comprehensive and timely coverage of articles in all numismatic journals; catalog backlog of approximately 12,800 articles.
5. Explore possible use of RLIN or downloading records from Library of Congress at no cost.
Goal: To become an information center that efficiently uses modern technology.
Objectives:
6. Provide online public access computers for library visitors allowing quick searches by keyword, title, author, ISBN etc and the capacity to print search results.
7. Provide access to numismatic websites by cataloging them according to accepted standards; incorporate a strategy for updating cataloging of numismatic websites on a regular basis.
8. Provide information about the library and its collections over ANS website.
9. Acquire multi-volume reference works or journals in fiche, film, or CD-ROM and microfilm/fiche reader/printer equipment to facilitate use of non-paper format.
Goal: Prepare move of library to new building
Objectives:
10. Contract with consultant to work with librarian to prepare library layout
11. Oversee new library installation, ensuring that lighting and temperature/humidity controls are sufficient (uva/uvb filters, hydrothermograph equipment.
12. Assess library collections and determine sale of duplicates and extraneous materials.
Goal: Conserve library collection
13. Research and select a bindery for ongoing library conservation.
14. Contract a conservator.
Goal: Establish ANS archive section in new facility. Ensure preservation and organization of ANS historic documents to facilitate access for ANS exhibition and publication and for numismatic researchers.
Objective:
1. Hire consultant to develop archival system for library staff and volunteers.
Exhibition
Goal: Develop exhibition program of the American Numismatic Society Museum of Money.
Objectives:
1. Develop plan for permanent exhibition using examples from the ANS collection to illustrate different facets of the world history of mankind starting from the seventh century BC.
2. Develop special exhibitions from the following core topics: Coins and Money in the United States; Great Art; The Mechanics of Money: How was it Made?; Banks from Athens to Wall Street; Great Collectors; Real or False? The History of Counterfeits.
3. Create versatile space for changing exhibitions: a collection of an ANS member, a special exhibition from another institution or a bank, an exhibition based on curatorial research with a presentation or to accompany a conference, German Portraiture of the 17th Century; The Lost Kingdoms of Ancient Arabia.
4. Hire exhibition design firm on consulting basis.
5. Develop traveling exhibitions over time, periodically coordinate with National Seminars.
6. Develop small exhibition and brochure on History of Money to be sponsored and toured by prominent international commercial bank both here and abroad.
Education
Goal: Provide opportunity for rewarding participation in ANS activities for scholars, collectors, dealers, and the interested public.
Objectives:
1. Hire experienced museum educator on consulting or half-time basis with conceptual expertise re exhibition development and presentation and seminars.
2. Develop plans for multi-purpose lecture room in new building for seminars and other public presentations.
Goal: Strengthen ANS Summer Seminar Program
Objectives:
3. Augment seminar endowment; increase student stipend.
4. Increase instructor’s fee.
5. Assess curriculum to in relation to recent student evaluations.
6. Ensure new facility accomodates Seminar without limiting public access to the Society’s resources.
Goal: Develop ANS seminar series for scholars, collectors, dealers and the general public to be held at the Museum of Money and elsewhere featuring prominent scholars, collectors, and dealers.
Objectives: [MORE]
7. Develop endowed ANS National Seminars over time, a traveling event, taught by recognized experts.
8. Establish relationships with other local, national and international institutions to take advantage of joint or cooperative programming opportunities, including museums and other non profit and governmental institutions, and the media.
9. Develop volunteer program to assist as docents and auxiliary staff at events.
Children’s Center
1. Develop a Children’s Center, to include introductory exhibition and books, reading table, and periodic activities; identify funding sources.
2. Develop ANS Children’s Center lesson plans for school children, both printed and on the web, with illustrative material, suggested assignments and resources.
Museum Store
Goal: Establish a comprehensive museum store.
Objectives:
1. Research and develop overall plan with assistance of organizations such as the National Executive Service Corps.
2. Research appropriate books, CDs, videos, posters, postcards and notecards and incidental objects related to numismatics and the ANS that will reflect the standards of the Society.
Publications
Goal: Uphold and increase ANS reputation for scholarly publishing
Objectives:
1. Determine editorial, production, distribution and sales policies for traditional ANS publications.
15. Make distribution agreement with academic book distribution company.
16. Publish series of methodological manuals over time: how to clean, store, photograph, establish weight standard, analyze metal content, and exhibit coins.
17. Strengthen existing publications by increasing coverage, marketing, full-price subscriptions, electronic access, and indexing.
Goal: Increase access to ANS collections and expertise through trade publications for interested public.
Objectives:
18. Consider distribution agreement with major trade book publishing house.
19. Publish short guide series over time, written by experts on specific topics including Roman, Greek, Islamic, United States coins.
20. Publish children's book series over time, could include: Coins and Ancient History, Coins and Medieval History, Coins of America, Coins Today
ANS Website/Information Technology
Goal: To establish the web-site as an essential public manifestation of ANS programs and activities: the collections and library will be searchable via the site, publications will have an electronic component, and the public will be able to learn about and use ANS programs and services through the internet.
Objectives:
1. Continue to develop on-line search functions for the collections database and the library.
2. Work with other departments including education, curatorial, library and membership to effectively use the website to reach their goals.
3. Develop a program of electronic publication that takes advantage of existing titles ( a retrospective conversion of AJN, COAC, and other ANS publications) and provides an outlet for work not previously published by the Society.
4. Produce on-line introductory exhibits to attract new audiences to numismatics as well as new members to the Society, incl: course for high school and college teachers using coins as aid to teach languages; an exhibit that explains the art historical importance of individual pieces in our collection; topical exhibits such as Elections and Democracy.
Goal: Ensure ANS collections database supports collections management, research and public outreach needs of the Society.
Objectives:
2. In conjunction with collections manager and curators, move from current DOS-based system to application that can better represent our objects and be more easily available on the world-wide web.
Goal: Increase collaboration with other that are institutions building resources for the humanities using the development of our web-site and collections database as a catalyst.
Objectives:
3. Cooperate with the Perseus Project (www.perseus.tufts.edu) which has expressed interest in integrating our material.
4. Consider joining the Art Museum Image Consortium (AMICO) which is building an image archive documenting objects from participating collections.
5. Collaborate with other museums on standards for numismatic databases to encourage inter-institutional compatibility between databases, improving the effectiveness of all on-line resources available to the public.
Photography
Goal: To continue ANS tradition for capturing images and preserving them at
high resolution while remaining competitive and accessible to clients.
Objectives:
1. Upgrade equipment to reflect high professional standards. [what must be purchased?]
2. Revise pricing structure for images to insure that ANS covers its costs while remaining competitive with current pricing structures at similar institutions.
3. Increase capacity for multi-format scanning.
4. Scan ANS slides, expanding image database; single slides and sets can be sold.
Planning and Programs
Goal: Ensure ANS plan is updated yearly with input from Council, staff, membership and members of the numismatic community.
Objectives:
1. Develop an operating plan including organizational chart and specific departmental responsibilities.
2. Establish process for yearly evaluation of existing long range programs and objectives three months in advance of June Council meeting, including recommendations for revision and retirement of existing objectives.
3. Periodically survey ANS membership and numismatic community at large periodically, utilizing the newsletter and the website, to determine the effectiveness of ANS programs and solicit comments regarding improvement.
Facility – copy to be developed from plan of action
Goal: Move the ANS to William Street location
Objectives:
1. Owners representative to supervise the planning of design and construction work
2. Construction of three floors will begin first: the library, the vault, curatorial and administrative offices.
3. Make advance preparations according to directives of specialty moving.
4. companies for the library and the vaults
ORGANIZATION
ANS Council and staff composition, growth, development and management: council, comittees, staff
Governance
Goal: Strengthen governance structure
Objectives:
1. Develop plan to identify and recruit members.
2. Provide Council orientation meeting and materials, including councilor responsiblities, by-laws, history of Society, staff job descriptions, Committee responsibilities, plan and calendar.
3. Review by laws to insure that they support the fiduciary role of the Council and ensure they are in compliance with New York State law.
4. Yearly self evaluation and evaluation of exec director as advised by National Center for Non Profit Boards.
Goal: Participate in the development of ANS fundraising strategy including policy on individual Council member's responsibililty to contribute and help raise money.
Objectives:
5. Each Council member should contribute to the best of their ability.
6. Council members should help prepare the “case statement,” the rationale for supporting the ANS, and be able to explain the case persuasively to prospective donors.
Committees
Goal: Ensure effective committees to inform and support the programs and operations of the Society.
Objectives:
1. The responsiblities of each standing and ad hoc committee should be concisely defined and distributed to Council, staff and membership.
2. Committees will meet by phone as needed in advance of quarterly Council meetings to resolve issues and evaluate progress on plan and prepare written reports for Council meetings.
3. Committee chairs and appropriate staff will communicate monthly.
Finance
Goals:
Objectives:
1. Improve budget procedures through departmental involvement in operating plan to facilitate financial planning/forecasting.
2. Evaluate basic responsiblities of accounting and administrative positions to become more effective in assisting the executive director with operational, administrative and personnel policies.
3. Evaluate point-of- sale software systems, internal and public security systems.
4. Review all areas of risk: internal/external/internet.
5. Oversee ANS energy conservation.
Administration to come
Regular job evaluations
Technology: Computers and Information Services here or under finance?
{To come: Ignacio and staff}
Facility
Development
External image and contacts: membership, fundraising, public relations
Membership
Goal: To develop and serve a growing membership base.
Objectives:
1. Survey members regarding the perceived value of current ANS programs: publications, seminars, access to information and other services, website and newsletter, etc. and solicit suggestions.
2. Coordinate and improve membership services throughout ANS program.
3. Develop effective membership materials as part of a coordinated ANS graphic identity program
4. Ensure new building is destination where members are available.
5. Reevaluate membership fees in relation to cost of services provided and ensure they are on par with like organizations re cost and benefits.
6. Develop members only programs to encourage new members to join.
7. Reevaluate membership entry policies.
8. Develop programs in major cities to encourage membership outside of New York.
Fundraising
Goal: To provide increased support of the ANS through the active solicitation of contributions and grants and the development of revenue producing programs
Objectives:
9. Formulate institutional fundraising program, based on outside feasibility study now in process, including identification and evaluation of prosects, drafting proposals and preparing printed materials.
10. Establish a Development Committee to organize the Council’s efforts and to work with fellow Council members, Fellows and staff in planning and assigning tasks.
11. Establish ad hoc committees through the development committee to help underwrite specific programs, i.e. ANS Alumni Committe for Summer Seminar Scholarships; Friends of the Library Committee, ANS Endowment Committee for Curatorial Chairs.
12. Complete installation of fundraising software (Raiser’s Edge) with clear donor definitions and categories.
Goal: Develop ongoing earned income opportunities
Objectives
13. Develop and coordinate events and publications with program departments.
14. Identify in-kind donors of supplies and services: airline tickets, hotel reservations, printing, etc.
Public Affairs
Goal: Insure a strong and accurate public image of the ANS
Objectives:
1. Articulate ANS achievements to ANS members, the numismatic community and the media at large through special events, press releases, the ANS website, the ANS Newsletter and the Annual Report.
2. Hire design firm to evaluate all printed materials from brochures to signage and create an ANS identity program, advising on design, production, and budgets.
3. Develop a media campaign for the new building, focusing on ANS collections and library initiatives that will make them more accessible to scholars, members, and the public at large.
4. Develop stories for specific tv and print media to acquaint broader audiences with ANS programs.
5. Prepare ads to be used by appropriate publications on complimentary basis.