Universitätsmuseen und -sammlungen im Hochschulalltag – Aufgaben, Konzepte, Perspektiven ; Beiträge zum Symposium vom 18.–20. Februar 2010 an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (ums2010)

Almost every German university owns collections, which are used in teaching and research and/or fulfill the function of a museum. Although they are invaluable in contrast to ordinary museums they distinctly lead a miserable existence. Among museum experts they are therefore called Cinderella Collections. Basically the situation of university museums and collections can be described as deficient if not disastrous. As long as a collection fulfills the purpose, which is attached in teaching and research it is admittedly integrated into the daily routine of the university but is not necessarily promoted and cherished in an appropriate way. Is the original purpose dropped, in the course of the conservation the neglect impends. Many valuable collections have been lost in this way already: through the change of teaching- and research methods, dropping of a subject, closure of a department or measures of reorganization or cost-cutting. Not least the growing and likewise realigning field of science communication, which now also integrates an historical component and the potentially identity-establishing exhibition pieces played a part in contributing to a bigger attention for university col