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A museum registrar works closely with objects in a museum collection. They are primarily responsible for working with acquisitions, deaccessions, keeping strict records, including legal records, of objects in the museum collections, and care for and preserve museum objects. They work closely with other museum personnel such as collection managers, conservators, curators, and exhibition designers.

Training and Education
Many museums require registrars to have a BA, MA, or PhD in either Museum Studies or the specialty of the given museum. Many museums offer internship possibilities for students wanting to obtain experience in museum registration.

Accessioning
The registrar is often the first point of contact for an object becoming a part of the museum collections. Accessions are when title for an object is transferred to the museum. They are obtained through various ways including: donation, purchase, trade, exchange or transfer. Registrars will add proper records to a museum's collections management system in order to show proof of ownership such as providing a contract-of-gift or accession contract. They will then give the object an accession number which becomes the identification number for the object that links it to the data in the collections management system. Objects that have not been accessioned are not yet considered a part of a museum's permanent collection.

Deaccessioning
Deaccessioning an object involves removing it from the museum collections. The museum then no longer is responsible for its care and preservation. There are many reasons a museum would want to deaccession objects in its collection. For example, if the object no longer aligns with the mission of the museum, or if the museum already owns a similar object. Deaccessioning guidelines will usually be written in a museum's collection policy and serve as guidance for registrars needing to cull their collections.

Collections Records
Collections Records include information pertinent to the care and preservation of a museum object. This can include documents such as: condition reports, conservation records, exhibition records, accession and deaccession documentation, insurance policies, and copyright and intellectual property information.

Loans
Loans records are important for both incoming and outgoing loans. Incoming loans are when museums loan objects from other museums, artists, or collectors. The museum assumes temporary responsibility, but not ownership, for these objects. It is important for clear documentation to be kept in order to avoid legal troubles if something happens to the object. Loan contracts can be used to settle dates of loan, insurance, and transportation arrangements. Outgoing loans are when the museum loans an object or objects from its collection to another institution. Again, clear documentation must be kept in order to keep clear expectations between the loaner and the borrower.

Caring for Objects
Museums may have separate collections management staff members; however, this position is combined with that of the registrar in many museums. If a registrar takes on collections management duties, they may also be responsible for:
 * Creating proper storage facilities
 * Performing preventative conservation


 * Implementing collection policies


 * Packing and shipping objects
 * Tracking object movement internal to museum and external.


 * Creating emergency preparedness plans
 * Implementing pest control management systems