Maine § 85-A. - Powers and duties of Museum Director

§ 85-A.. Powers and duties of Museum Director

The Museum Director shall have the powers and duties established under the following provisions governing the administration and operation of the Maine State Museum activities:   [PL 1987, c. 465, §2 (NEW).]

1.  Duties prescribed.  To perform the duties which are prescribed for him by the commission;

2.  Administration.  To administer the office of Museum Director. In exercising the director's administration, the Museum Director shall promulgate operating policies, establish organizational and operational procedures and exercise supervision of museum activities. The Museum Director shall employ, subject to the Civil Service Law and the approval of the Maine State Museum Commission, such assistants as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The Museum Director shall adopt a seal for use in the official business of the museum. The director, with the approval of the commission, may initiate a membership program to benefit the museum;

3.  Rules.  To promulgate such rules as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. No unreasonable restrictions or limitations shall be imposed on the use of museum records or objects that are defined by law as records or objects open to public inspection. With the exception of matters concerning collections security and preservation, decisions made by the director concerning access, use and reproduction of museum collections may be appealed to the commission within 30 days for final determination by the commission;

4.  Solicitation and acceptance of gifts, grants, donations, bequests, endowments and membership fees.  To solicit and accept gifts, grants, donations, bequests, endowments and membership fees for purposes consistent with the purposes of this chapter. Any funds, if given as an endowment or trust, must be invested by the Treasurer of State according to the laws governing the investment of trust funds. All gifts, grants, donations, bequests and proceeds of endowment funds must be used solely to carry out the purposes for which they were made;

5.  Biennial report. 

6.  General.  To carry out the policies and directives of the Maine State Museum Commission;

7.  Collection.  To institute and maintain a program of systematic collection in the several fields of museum activity with particular emphasis on those fields relating to this State;

8.  Preservation and restoration.  To preserve, identify, catalogue, document and safeguard the collections of the museum;

9.  Research and publications.  To carry on research to increase knowledge in the several fields of museum activity and to provide interpretive and information services, including the dissemination and recording of information gathered through research. Protection through copyright law may be obtained;

10.  Information.  To provide reference services to individuals and local historical, natural history, scientific and other groups and societies interested in museum activities;

11.  Exhibitions.  To exhibit the collections of the museum, including permanent and temporary exhibits, and to provide a loan service for films, artifacts, specimens and other exhibits of the museum to such persons, groups and schools and under such terms and conditions as determined by the director;

12.  Services.  To provide ancillary museum services such as operation of a museum library, consultation concerning museum activities, sale of publications, provision of speakers, participation in special events and any other activities which will promote the effectiveness of the museum.

13.  Educational stipends.  To provide educational field school opportunities in concert with archaeological and conservation projects by providing educational stipends from funds secured from nongeneral fund sources.