Accessioning

/ækˈsɛʃənɪŋ/ noun

Definition

The process of formally registering, numbering, and cataloging items as they are added to a collection, museum, or institutional collection.

Etymology

From accession (verb) plus -ing (the gerund suffix). This creates a noun describing the action of formally acquiring and recording items.

Kelly Says

The 'accessioning' process is surprisingly complex—it involves photography, conservation assessment, provenance research, and database entry—which is why museums have entire departments dedicated to this behind-the-scenes work!

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