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107

BRIEF REVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR

In reviewing the progress of the past year, it is sufficient to list the following points brought out during the initial Conference discussions:

1. Much remains to be done regarding the Institution's collections management activities, but positive steps have been taken with regard to storage and warehousing, registration and inventory control, and acquisition policies.

2. Support Activities are moving forward in terms of obtaining added resources and, in terms of redefining responsibilities of bureau directors for various support endeavors conducted within their respective buildings.  But the Institution still has some distance to go in achieving its objectives of providing quality support to program activities.

3. The private financial picture continues to improve, and some greater sharing of private resources may be on the horizon.

4. There has been substantial progress in creating the much needed new operating philosophy between curators and exhibits professionals.  The restricting of exhibits operations and resources has been meaningful and has helped.

5. The Institution has addressed several issue of public service and education in the past year.  Elementary and secondary education has been reassigned as a program responsibility of the museums; a better focus for understanding and utilizing Institutional publications efforts is emerging; larger audiences are being reached through the magazine and membership programs; the Institution is actively involved in reaching national audiences through television.

6. Steps are being taken to provide a better employment environment and opportunities, especially related to minorities.  More improvement is expected in the coming year, particularly in the upward mobility program.