About the museum
The Monash Museum of Computing History was created in 2000 to provide a resource for the study of computing history and the preservation of computing technology. The Museum aims to collect material relating to the use of computer technology at Monash University and its different campus locations.
The Museum objectives
The Monash Museum of Computing History (MMoCH) has been created to collect and preserve objects and information that reflect the development of the discipline of information technology and the use of computers at Monash University and pre-cursor institutions.
The MMoCH will make this material available to the academic community and students and the general public through interpretative programs, including exhibitions, lectures and public programs. Material in storage can also be accessed by arrangement with authorised staff. The MMoCH will participate with other institutions in sharing information and knowledge about the history of computer technology.
The MMoCH undertakes to maintain the highest possible standards of museum management.
The MMoCH is a project developed by the Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University in order to:
- Collect and preserve objects of computing history as defined under the Monash Museum of Computing History Acquisition Policy and Collection Policy.
- Catalogue the collection to museum standards on a computerised database.
- Develop and maintain an exhibition program.
- Make the collection accessible to the public through teaching programs.
- Maintain an internet site, hosted by Monash University, giving access to information on collection holdings, museum policies and procedures.
- Co-operate with other institutions to advance knowledge of computing history.
- Support research into computing history.
Acquisition policy
The MMoCH collects material using the following guidelines:
- Collect computer technology reflecting the development of technology used in departments of Monash University, including actual material used in Monash University or comparable examples. This equipment includes input devices and media, processing devices, storage devices and media, output devices and media and associated documentation and software.
- Collect examples of technology to demonstrate the line of development of the equipment that has been used in the university.
- Collect examples of work produced on the computers used at Monash University, showing their capabilities and the type of work undertaken by staff and students.
- Collect documentary support material relating to the technology, including photographic images and audio-visual recordings of the use of the technology.
- Collect biographical material and examples of work relating to significant people involved in use of computer technology within Monash University.
- Collect documentary material including academic papers and publications reflecting the development of the discipline of information technology at Monash University.
Collection policy
- The items accepted into the collection must be relevant to the collection as defined in the acquisition policy.
- Donations can only be accepted by authorised staff.
- The item must be in a fair condition as assessed by staff.
- The museum will only accept donations without conditional terms.
- If an item is purchased, the Monash Museum of Computing History must retain all original relevant sale documentation.
- The MMoCH must be able to provide suitable storage or display environments for the proposed donation.
- Staff at the MMoCH can not give an indication of monetary value for any item to a potential donor. All valuations recorded in documentation should be completed by an independent valuer.
- Items collected will be catalogued, and as far as security allows, the catalog made public.
- Items can be removed from the collection and disposed only with the approval of the museum committee and only under conditions, in force, from time to time under Monash University disposal of assets procedures.
Administrative forms
- Donation form (DOCX, 27KB) to be used when items are given to the museum, the form is to be signed by the donor and the museum curator
- Outward loan form (DOCX, 23KB) to be used when items are being lent by the museum to a borrower
- Inward loan form (DOCX, 26KB) to be used when the museum borrows items from a lender for temporary use by the museum