Resolution Update

Well, I've been hard at work on my New Year Resolutions!

1) Migrate to updated version of collection management database.

I spent several days week before last on the phone and online with technical support to migrate my data from the old collection management database to the new version.  There are still two modules to migrate, but my tech support person, Vanessa, is hard at work on those!  I'm actually working in the new system now.  And with any luck (once I get over the current hurdle -- installing another workstation), I'll have a volunteer or two working in it too!  I have one volunteer who is willing waiting in the wings.  I just need to feel comfortable teaching her how to use the new system.

2) Complete inventory of all collections in storage.

With the help of two volunteers, I've made strides on the inventory of collection storage.  There certainly seems to be more questions than answers at the moment, but we should have a comprehensive list of what is in storage soon!

3) Develop & implement plan for moving collections off-site.

This one I've waited on until I know more details about the renovation.  The Capital Campaign is making major headway, and this project looks to be taking off!

4) Gain more meaningful followers on the Museum's social media tools (Facebook & Twitter).

With the help of the Marketing and Education Departments, the social media tools are gaining followers.  I haven't analyzed the numbers but I think there will be meaningful gains.  Be sure to like the Museum on Facebook and Twitter, if you haven't already.  We do a lot of different features: Dates in History, Facebook Fridays, and now Science Saturdays and Whatzit Wednesdays!  Be in the know... 

5) Be an advocate for the Museum while at work and while not at work.

This is much harder to count or measure.  However, I was asked this morning to give a presentation about collection management in late February.  And I'll be attending the Texas Association of Museums' annual meeting & conference in March.

I can't wait to see what the next few weeks hold ...!

New Year's Resolutions

I know many of you have created resolutions this New Year in order to start fresh or improve yourself.  Your resolution may be to be healthier, by eating right or working out, or it may be to learn a new skill, like learning a foreign language or developing a hobby.

I myself have developed my own personal New Year Resolutions.  And I think I need to develop ones for my little corner of The Petroleum Museum. 

We at the Museum anticipate 2012 to be interesting, to say the least.  We hope to finish our Capital Campaign and to start our $15M renovation of the oil & gas industry exhibits.  With those events looming, there is a lot to take care of!  Before demolition, we have to move the collections, both what's on display and what's in storage, off-site.  So, there's a lot of prep work that I need to complete before the ground-breaking. 

Below are my resolutions or goals for the upcoming year.  Many of these I started last year, but for whatever reason, never finished or just dropped the ball.  Some of them are re-focusing on what my job duties entail and trying to be better in those duties.

1) Migrate to updated version of collection management database.

2) Complete inventory of all collections in storage.

3) Develop & implement plan for moving collections off-site.

4) Gain more meaningful followers on the Museum's social media tools (Facebook & Twitter).

5) Be an advocate for the Museum while at work and while not at work.

Wish me luck in keeping my New Year Resolutions!  What are your resolutions?

Time Travel

I am not sure where July and August went.  Here we are, August 29th, and I haven't posted anything in two months!  While I have been busy with various projects and tasks, I felt that nothing really deserved it's own blog post. 

In July, I was busy with webinars on digital tools and social media as well as changing out an exhibit.  Mery Codigna Collet's exhibition EXTRA VIRGIN PETRUS OIL closed July 11th.  Some of the pieces moved onto Austin where they will be on display at a contemporary gallery there.  Other pieces continued onto Italy (where Mery spends some time).  Luckily, the Museum was given one piece, BRENT BLEND, by the artist.  The six-piece artwork continues to hang in the Davidson gallery, but we're hoping to move it to its permanent home soon.

BRENT BLEND

Mery Codigna Collet

Oil & natural fibers on plastic and canvas

2010

Soon after, Kathy and I installed the new exhibit TAKING STOCK, an exhibition showcasing the beauty and value of stock certificates.  The exhibit is on loan from the Western Heritage Museum Complex at New Mexico Junior College.  Come check it out!  Be sure to pick up one of the activity brochures in the gallery.

I was also busy with potential rentals of the Museum.  Many oil & gas companies like to use our large Auditorium for day-time events, like professional development, and for night-time receptions and celebrations.  We've instituted an online calendar system to minimize double-booking the Museum's spaces.  We can literally see who is using our facilities when on the new system.

August has turned out to be even busier!  Kathy, Hal and I traveled to Irving at the beginning of the month for the annual meeting of Texas Association of Museums.  While it was a more condensed conference than normal, I still learned quite a bit and got to network like never before.  There were sessions on deaccessioning, museum ethics and collection conundrums.

Above: Logo for TAM 2011 Annual Meeting

The past several weeks, I've been focused on the upcoming Permian Basin Petroleum Pioneers' Biennial Reunion.  We sent out several pieces of mail to potential sponsors, trustees, and the general membership.  The event, scheduled for Friday, September 16th, consists of a full-day of speakers and an awards luncheon.  Hopefully, all my hard work will pay off!  Keep your fingers crossed!

Busy, Busy, Busy

The past month has gone by in a blur!

The Museum is preparing for our fundraiser, the 2011 Hall of Fame gala. This year we are honoring I. Jon Brumley, Dr. Sam Gibbs, William Kleine and the team of Mack Chase and John R. Gray. Invitations are out, thanks to some great and dedicated staff members and volunteers! The event is next Thursday night. Do you have your seat reserved?

The last week of March, I went to Austin for the Outcome Based Evaluation of the Train to Share grant program which I have participated in for the past several years. Team members from all over Texas congregated to discuss individual and organizational successes (and not-so-successes) for the grant as well as offer some reflection and insight into the program itself, with suggestions for the future.

That week also saw the installation of the new exhibit in the Davidson Gallery: Extra Virgin Petrus Oil by Mery Codigna Collet, a Venezuelan artist who uses petroleum and its by-products to highlight serious concerns. Her method is fascinating: she paints on pieces of plastic, then layers them facing the canvas. The result, in my opinion, is a high-gloss painting with depth. You must see them in person! Mery had a successful gallery talk and opening last Tuesday.

Tomorrow, the Archives Center will be undergoing some changes too. With the Train to Share grant, we have been able to purchase a networked server dedicated to the Museum's Library & Archives Center. The server will house the various files and digital objects (photographs) as well as the collection management database which all will be accessed from the computers in the Center.

Among those activities, we have been fielding requests for photographs and research materials. We are definitely staying busy! Of course, May is shaping up to be a busy month too....