New Release: Deaccessioning Museum Objects
July 5 2025
Picture: Routledge
Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:
Following on from news that an NHS Trust in the UK and Albright College in the US are selling off their collections and historic works of art, it seems like a perfect time to plug this recent release from Routledge on Deaccessioning Museum Objects: Transparency and Ethics in Disposal Practice. The book was penned by Jennifer Durrant.
According to the publisher's website:
Disposal of objects from museum collections aids in the creation of dynamic and sustainable institutions but can be perceived as a betrayal of public trust and professional duty. Written by an experienced museum professional and researcher, Jennifer Durrant delves into the historical development of disposal to offer insight into the fundamental transience of museum collections. Durrant explains the ethical timeliness and social responsibility of object removal, presenting real‑life examples and practical models for transparency creation to show how deaccessioning can be brought to public view and understanding. Emphasising the interaction between professional practice, personal action, and the centrality of conscious reflection, Durrant helpfully investigates what ‘open and honest’ working entails and explores the creation of transparency to museum practices through the lens of disposal.


