Central Documentation

The Central Documentation department manages the comprehensive documentation of all the DHM collections in its object database. The aim is to document the diverse assemblage of objects as comprehensively as possible in the museum’s collection management system.

The necessary data editing and further development of the database form part of the department’s responsibilities, as does the management of the digitisation of the collections, which is carried out in ways specific to each type of object. The internal object documentation is accessible to the public via the online object database.

The department is also responsible for maintaining the overall inventory: this includes the initial central inventorying of new acquisitions (purchases and donations) as well as the management of loss reports, removals and restitutions. The inventory book for the previous acquisition year is compiled annually. The department is also in charge of organising outgoing international loans to other museums and institutions.