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84 One of the major tasks of the staff has been the preparation of research and photographic materials for the Abrams publication which will coincide with our opening exhibition. We are currently completing the editing of the manuscript for this book and are satisfied that it will be a major contribution to the history of the twentieth century painting and sculpture, as well as an attractive and desirable item for the general public. We are continuing to build our research library. Catalogue cards using the Library of Congress system are being prepared for approximately four thousand volumes, not including catalogues and periodicals. We are also preparing Data Collection Forms containing pertinent inventory information for computer processing. This is in line with efforts by major museums to establish computer inventory data banks which would simplify and speed up the availability of information through computer retrieval systems. The ease and accuracy with which it becomes possible to isolate or link information makes this a very desirable project for our museum. Our photograph library is developing an archive of the entire collection. This includes black and white photographs and color slides. Aside from our own use of these archives for inventory and identification purposes, they are also available to scholars, other museums and institutions, publishers, etc. [[underlined]]Museum Sales Shop[[/underlined]] In preparation for our opening, we are beginning to plan our Museum Sales Shop. With the Smithsonian's Department of Museum Shops, we are now determining the items to be offered (reproductions, color slides, color post cards, multiples, etc.) and the best method for their manufacture and distribution. I would like to mention that at this time there are already available twenty color reproductions of works from the Hirshhorn Museum Collections. ************** The Chairman asked Mr. Lerner about arrangements for the transfer of the collection to Washington upon completion of the museum and sculpture garden. Mr. Lerner reported that discussions have been
