Where would one go to explore these and other closely related current problems: How should museums and archives work? Should they save everything? Who should have access to what and when?
You can start with these sites.
http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/id.3393,y.0,no.,content.true,page.1,css.print/issue.aspx
http://www.nps.gov/archeology/collections/field_pr.htm
Your college library may have a lot of information. But this is a highly controversial subject. How much should be placed in museums? How can they store it all? How much should be in the hands of private collectors?
I don't feel I violated any ethics by buying two small pieces of plain mosaics that may have come from a Roman street over 1500 years ago.
The first one of those two links provided a workable angle of which I had not previously thought. Grateful thanks be to you, for you are a life saver! Sorry about sounding a little overly elogious, but I am appreciative nontheless!
To explore the questions about how museums and archives should work, and related topics such as preservation, access, and curation, you can follow these steps:
1. Start by researching academic sources: Look for scholarly articles, books, and research papers that specifically address the field of museum studies, cultural heritage, and archival science. These sources will provide in-depth analysis and theoretical frameworks to help you understand the various perspectives on the subject.
2. Visit museum and archival institution websites: Most museums and archives have their own websites where they present their mission, collection policies, and access guidelines. By reviewing multiple institutions' websites, you can gain an understanding of the different approaches and philosophies that exist in the field.
3. Attend conferences and seminars: Keep an eye out for conferences, symposiums, and workshops on museum and archival studies. These events bring together experts and researchers who discuss current issues, share their findings, and propose solutions to problems in the field. Attending these events can provide valuable insights and opportunities for networking.
4. Engage with professional associations and organizations: There are numerous professional associations for museum and archival professionals, both globally and regionally. Examples include the International Council of Museums (ICOM), Society of American Archivists (SAA), or the Museums Association (MA) in the UK. These organizations often publish resources, host conferences, and facilitate discussions around best practices in the industry.
5. Read books and publications by experts: Many professionals in the field of museum studies and archival science have written books or contribute articles to specialized publications. Look for authors such as Eilean Hooper-Greenhill, Elizabeth Yakel, or Richard J. Cox, who have made significant contributions to the field.
6. Engage in online forums and discussions: Participate in online platforms, forums, and social media groups dedicated to museum and archival studies. Engaging in discussions with professionals and enthusiasts can provide you with different perspectives, real-world examples, and current debates happening in the field.
By following these steps, you can explore and understand the various viewpoints, challenges, and ongoing discussions surrounding how museums and archives should work, what to preserve, and who should have access to the collections.