Missions, Policies, and Goals

Staff of the Mendocino County Museum support a welcoming and safe environment for visitors and employees. Everyone has a right to quality museum services in an atmosphere that is calm, safe, and free from disturbance by others. While you are visiting the museum, please be considerate of other visitors, staff, facilities, and building contents. Visitors who violate this policy may be asked to leave the premises.

• Abusive Behavior: Abusive behavior, such as threats or violence toward staff or visitors, is prohibited.

• Animals: Only trained service animals, or animal otherwise allowed in County buildings pursuant to Mendocino County Code section 14.20.010 are permitted in the Museum.

• Disruptive Behavior: Using bikes, skateboards, scooters or skates, fighting, running, pushing, shoving, and any other rowdy or unsafe behavior, in or anywhere outside the Museum on walkways or parking areas surrounding the Museum is prohibited. Defacing Museum property is prohibited.

• Disturbing Noise: Disturbing anyone with unreasonable noise is prohibited inside the Museum. This includes yelling, talking on a cell phone, video conferencing, loud conversations, singing, radios, and other electronic devices.

• Dress Code: Being fully clothed, including shirt, shoes, pants, dress, or skirt, is a requirement to visit the Mendocino County Museum.

• Following/Stalking: Stalking is the willful, malicious, and repeated following of another person in a manner that causes the other person to reasonably fear for their safety. Stalking of any person is prohibited.

• Food or Drink: Eating or drinking in the Museum are allowed only in designated areas or for programs and meetings held in meeting rooms and lobby areas. All food- related trash must be disposed of in the proper receptacle.

• Furniture and Property: Leave furniture in its place. Avoid putting feet on furniture. Use the facilities, materials, and furnishing as intended.

• Harassing Behavior: Harassing behavior is prohibited. Harassing includes any verbal or non-verbal conduct which is likely to frighten, embarrass, anger, or annoy a person to the extent that that person’s use of the Museum or ability to work in the Museum is unreasonably curtailed by the conduct. Harassing behavior by a Museum patron shall include behavior which occurs anywhere, both on and off Museum property, over the telephone, by mail, or by any electronic means. Harassing behavior may include, but is not limited to verbal abuse, advances of a sexual nature, obscene gestures or sounds, offensive touching, and staring at library staff or at other persons so that performance of their duties or use of library resources is disrupted.

• Loitering: We welcome everyone to explore our services and facilities. Blocking the path of visitors into the buildings, on the steps, entryways, or other areas, thereby creating a nuisance to those who are trying to enter, exit, or use resources, is prohibited. Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a Museum while in these buildings.

• Museum and Art Exhibits: To protect the collections, touching Museum artifacts is not permitted unless signage indicates otherwise. Please do not touch, lean on, climb, sit, or place items on the exhibit platforms, interpretive panels, display cases, or walls. For all open displays such as art or other items, please keep at least a 12-inch distance from the art or object.

• Offensive Odors: Anyone whose body hygiene is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance to other persons (as verified by staff) shall be required to leave the building. Since some people are sensitive to strong fragrances, patrons are asked to refrain from excessive use of perfumes or colognes.

• Personal Belongings: For safety reasons, Mendocino County Museum staff reserve the right to restrict the following personal items from the premises: boxes, umbrellas, packages, large backpacks, bags or purses, or other items that cannot be stored entirely under the owner’s chair. Weapons should not be brought onto Museum grounds. Personal property should not be left unattended anywhere on Museum grounds.

• Photography or Video Recording: Patrons may not bring flash photography, video lighting, selfie sticks, tripods, drones, or other equipment onto Mendocino County Museum property without prior permission. No commercial photography is allowed without written consent of the Mendocino County Museum. Special requests for the use of photography equipment must be submitted and approved by Museum staff.

• Public Display of Obscene Material: Public displays of this that interfere with the ability of others to use resources, or as prohibited by law, is not allowed.

• Restroom Use: Using the public restrooms as shaving, bathing, or laundry facilities is prohibited.

• Selling, Soliciting, or Mass Distribution of Materials: Selling, soliciting, panhandling, and mass distribution of unapproved materials is not permitted.

• Sleeping: Sleeping is prohibited in the the Museum.

• Smoking: In accordance with Government Code Sections 7596-7597, smoking is prohibited inside the Mendocino County Museum buildings, entryways, and within 20 feet of any entrance or exit.

• Trespassing: Trespassing is prohibited. Trespassing includes entering any Museum building during a suspension of privileges, entering any non-public area of the building, failing to leave immediately upon closing, or being inside before or after public hours without express permission from Museum personnel.

• Unattended Children: We encourage children to visit our Museum. Staff are concerned for children’s safety and welfare. We recognize parents’ or guardians’ responsibility for the behavior and well-being of their children. We respect the privacy of all patrons and intervene only when a child is deemed to be at risk. If an unattended child, age 8 or younger, comes to the attention of staff, we will make a good faith attempt to contact the parent or guardian. If the parent or guardian cannot be reached, the child will be referred to the local law enforcement agency. Children aged 8 and under may not be left unattended anywhere in the Museum and must be accompanied and directly supervised by a responsible party.

• Unlawful Behavior: Engaging in any unlawful activity is prohibited and staff will call law enforcement. Unlawful behaviors include, but are not limited to, carrying unlawful weapons, assault, indecent exposure or sex acts, use of illegal drugs or alcohol, damage to property, theft, attempted theft, brandishing a weapon, public drunkenness or intoxication, public urination and defecation.

Patrons who do not comply with the Mendocino County Museum Standards of Behavior may be asked to leave the Museum for a period of one to thirty days by the Museum Administrator, Museum Curator, or Person in Charge. The Museum Administrator handles any proposed suspensions between 30 days and one year. In rare instances, a visitor’s behavior may lead to a longer suspension of County services if their actions are an ongoing problem for staff, volunteers, other patrons, or the building or its contents. In addition to the suspensions provided for in this policy, violations of local, state, or federal law will be reported to law enforcement. This policy is available at the Museum and online.

1. The following behaviors will result in an immediate suspension:

   • Physical abuse or assault
   • Fighting or challenging to fight
   • Making violent or threatening statements or brandishing a weapon
   • Damaging, destroying, theft, or attempt of theft of County property
   • Sexual harassment
   • Acts of sexual misconduct, including indecent exposure, harassment, sexual contact, sexual intercourse, and/or exhibiting lewd and lascivious acts or behavior

   Authorized Museum staff will instruct anyone displaying these behaviors to leave the facility immediately. Police will be called, and additional legal action may occur, as appropriate. In addition, based on the severity of the situation, a suspension of Museum privileges for up to one year will be applied without advance warning or prior suspension. Museum staff will notify the Museum Administration immediately, where a determination of the appropriate suspension period and procedures will be assigned.

   
   

2. First violation: Initial warning and given copy of the Standards of Behavior
   Second violation: Privileges suspended for the day
   Third violation: Privileges suspended for 1 to 7 days
   Fourth violation: Privileges suspended for 1 to 30 days
   Fifth violation: Privileges suspended for 1 to 365 days

   At the recommendation of Museum staff, the Museum Administrator or designee will issue a letter to the patron specifying the behavior that violated the Museum Behavior Policy, the penalty for doing so, which may include a suspension of privileges from all Mendocino County Museum, and the designated suspension time of up to one year. In rare instances, a patron may be suspended for more than a year.

3. Anyone who has had their Museum privileges suspended for more than six months may appeal to the Museum Administrator. Anyone who has had their Museum privileges suspended for more than a year may appeal once in writing to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. An appeal petition must be mailed or delivered to Museum Administrator, 400 E Commercial Street, Willits,CA 95490, within 21 days of the suspension. The appeal petition must include all reasons the patron believes he/she/they is/are not in violation of the Mendocino County Museum Behavior Policy or why the suspension is not appropriate.
   The Board of Supervisors, upon reviewing the petition during a public meeting, will issue a written determination of the appeal within 30 days of their receipt of the petition, not necessarily within 30 days of the appeal being delivered. The Board of Supervisors may uphold the suspension, overturn the suspension, or impose an alternative. The determination is final and shall have no precedential value. An appeal may not be repeated.

   Approved by the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 13, 2022.

    

Mendocino County Museum staff and volunteers recognize that to maintain public confidence in and support for the purposes of this institution, it is necessary to adhere to high standards of a professional and personal conduct.

(BOS Approved 4/9/2019)

Guiding Principles

Loyalty - As staff and volunteers, we support the Mendocino County Museum’s mission statement and values of public service and stewardship. All who work for or on behalf of the Mendocino County Museum will conduct themselves in actions and words to reflect well on the good name, reputation, and services of the Mendocino County Museum.

Respect - As Mendocino County Museum staff and volunteers, we will work collaboratively and treat others with dignity and respect. As such we also expect all Museum staff and volunteers to treat co-workers, volunteers, guests, vendors, contracted staff, and others with equity, respect and cooperation.

Confidentiality - Confidential information such as keyed access, security codes, public research requests, personal contact information of Museum staff, Museum Advisory Board members, and volunteers is considered strictly confidential and is not to be shared with others or used in a manner that may cause harm or hardship.

Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest - As Mendocino County Museum staff and volunteers, we will not use our positions for personal gain or to benefit another at the expense of the Museum, its mission, its reputation or the public it serves. No individual may be connected to a personal interest, or benefit financially from working or volunteering with the Mendocino County Museum. Where conflicts of interest arise—actual, potential, or perceived—the duty of loyalty must never be compromised. Furthermore, all Museum staff will be held accountable to follow the Mendocino County Conflict of Interest Code which was adopted to protect the integrity of the County and its employees.

Conduct - As staff and volunteers, we are representatives of the Mendocino County Museum. Therefore, we will conduct ourselves in a professional, courteous, and welcoming manner. Staff and volunteers will follow all County of Mendocino Policies including the Policy Against Harassment (No. 23) and the Drug Free Workplace Policy (No. 24).

Preservation and Collection Care - As staff and volunteers, we are dedicated to the preservation and protection of the Museum’s collections. The collections and acquisitions of the Mendocino County Museum shall support our mission and public trust responsibilities. The Mendocino County Museum staff and volunteers will abide by the Mendocino County Museum Collection Policy practices and ensure that all collections are lawfully held, protected, secured, cared for and preserved, and in this regard, professional standards in collection management and care will be upheld in collections management, documentation, acquisition, deaccessioning, and loan activities.

Programs - All Mendocino County Museum programs are created to support our mission and public trust responsibilities. Programs will be made accessible to the public and be consistent with our mission statement and financial and physical resources available. All revenue producing programs shall be compatible with the museum’s mission, and promote the public good rather than individual financial gain.

Collections Policy

In accordance with the Museum’s mission, we encourage the use of the Museum’s images and recordings including:

• Objects in the Museum’s collections
• Images and recordings of Museum activities
• Images and recordings of Museum exhibits
• Subjects related to the acquisition, cultural context, and care and preservation of Museum objects

(BOS Approved 3/23/2021)

Request to Access and Use Museum Images and Recordings

You may request access to Museum images and recordings for purposes of examination, study, research, publication, and advancement.

Access to Museum images and recordings can be provided at the Museum through appointment by completing a Research Request Form. Alternatively, you can request that physical or digital reproductions be distributed to you by completing a Use Request Form. Requests for new photography of Museum collections will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Submitting a Request

Requests to access or use museum materials, or to obtain copies, should be made in advance. Staff availability will be a factor in the evaluation of any request not made in advance. Additions or changes to an approved request will require submitting a new request.

Criteria for Evaluating Requests

Requests are approved on a case-by-case basis. If there are any special concerns, the Curator will consult with the Administrator prior to approval of a request. Requests will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Availability of Museum staff and resources to respond to the request
• Availability of existing images to fulfill the request
• Potential damage to images, recordings, and objects in the collections
• Ability to complete the request with minimal disruption to visitors, tours, and Museum events
• Compliance with copyright policy, laws, or regulations established by the county, state, and federal government and/or donor requirements or requests
• Security concerns for the well-being of the collections and Museum operations
• Cultural sensitivity of objects and Museum policy concerning the handling and viewing of such materials

Conditions for Use of Images and Recordings

To access or use Museum images and recordings, you will need to adhere to the following conditions:

• Archives and museum storage areas are closed for browsing. It is at the discretion of Museum staff to determine how many objects/materials can be viewed at any given appointment.
• Original materials may not be borrowed from the Museum’s collections. There are no exceptions.
• Researchers must conduct themselves so that that an environment conducive to research is maintained.
• Researcher agrees to inform the Mendocino County Museum if research is to be published in the Use Request Form. The researcher agrees to provide the Mendocino County Museum with one copy of any materials produced that are derived in part or whole from research conducted at the Mendocino County Museum, including materials which are produced in fulfillment of educational requirements, or which are published for commercial purposes through broadcast, computer-digitized, or printed media.
• Materials may only be used for the purpose agreed upon in the Use Request Form. Users shall not distribute copies (prints or photocopies) of said historical documents or recordings to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership by rental, lease, or lending unless agreed upon in writing. User shall not distribute said copies to any person or persons for purposes of further distribution or public display.
• It is the responsibility of all researchers to assist in the preservation of the collections. The researcher agrees to observe access and security regulations relating to the use of the Mendocino County Museum collections and research areas. The researcher agrees to observe guidelines and restrictions for handling collections. The collections shall be given proper care to ensure against loss ,damage, or deterioration. The researcher will not remove tags, repair, clean, alter, or restore objects without express written approval from the Mendocino County Museum.
• Researcher agrees to pay the Museum for fees according to the Mendocino County Master Fee Schedule which may include duplication fees, use fees, printing costs, and/or compensation of staff time and resources.
• The Museum reserves the right to terminate the approval of a request at any time if the Museum’s criteria or the agreed-upon conditions are no longer being met.

Copyright

The Museum’s collection includes images and recordings for which it does not hold copyright. If the Museum doesn’t hold copyright for the requested images, it is your responsibility to determine the copyright status of the material. The Museum will provide any available information about origin and copyright, but we are not required to pursue copyright research or to acquire copyright permission on your behalf.

You—not the Museum—are solely responsible for ensuring that all appropriate copyright permissions are granted before publication. We cannot provide legal advice regarding fair use or copyright. We will only release copies for private use and research with the user’s acknowledgement of these responsibilities.

Commercial Use of Museum Images and Recordings

Use of the Museum’s collections of images and recordings for commercial (for-profit) purposes is only permitted at the discretion of the Administrator. Each proposed commercial project must be reviewed to determine its consistency with the Museum’s mission, appropriateness of the project’s association with the Museum, and contribution to the advancement of the Museum.

Forms

Access and Use of Museum Images and Recordings Policy (PDF)

Use Request Form - Museum Images & Recordings (PDF) 

Research Request Form

Meeting Room Policy

The Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program provides small and mid-sized museums with partial funding toward a general conservation assessment. The assessment is a study of all of the institution's collections, buildings, and building systems, as well as its policies and procedures relating to collections care. Participants who complete the program receive an assessment report with prioritized recommendations to improve collections care. CAP is often a first step for small institutions that wish to improve the condition of their collections.

CAP is administered by FAIC under a cooperative agreement with the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Funding for each program year is subject to the availability of funds in the federal budget." - American Institute for Conservation

The Mendocino County Museum underwent a full assessment in the Spring of 2022, the full reports can be found below. 

CAP Report - Collections Assessment Mendocino County Museum

CAP Report - Facility Enhancement Mendocino County Museum