Charter of Services and Visitor Rights – The Civic Museum of the Giara Horse
This Charter of Services and Visitor Rights draws inspiration from the definition of “Museum” as stated in the Italian law on the ‘New Code of Cultural Heritage’ of 22nd January 2004 (D.Lgs. n. 41 del 22 gennaio 2004 c.d. “Nuovo Codice dei Beni Culturali” art.101, comma 2°). The term “Museum” refers to a permanent structure that acquires, conserves, sorts and exhibits cultural heritage for educational and study purposes. Alongside its obligation to conserve, all Museums must endeavour to make this cultural heritage – which is conserved therein on behalf of the general public for educational and recreational reasons – accessible for public enjoyment (art. 102, D.Lgs. n. 41, 22 gennaio 2004).
The Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities issued an ‘Act of Recommendations on the Technical and Scientific Criteria, and Performance and Development Standards in Museums’ (“Atto di indirizzo sui criteri tecnico-scientifici e sugli standard di funzionamento e sviluppo dei musei” – D.Lgs 112/98 all’art. 3 c.g; D.M. 10 maggio 2001), setting out eight operational sections for museums with their relative requirements and minimum performance standards. In Section VII, the relationship between the Museum and the public is defined. The Museum’s duty of guaranteeing adequate services to the public, as recommended in the standards, is mirrored in the rights of visitors, who are able to enjoy the cultural heritage conserved therein.
This Charter of Services and Visitor Rights is also based on the recommendations put forward by the Region of Sardinia in its regional law of 20th September 2006 on ‘Regulations on Cultural Heritage, and Institutes and Places of Culture’ (Legge Regionale n.14 del 20/09/2006 “Norme in materia di beni culturali, Istituti e luoghi della cultura” ), and in quality targets for museums published in its ‘Guidelines for Recognising Museums and Museum Collections’, adopted by the ruling G.R. n.36 del 27/07/2005, (henceforth known as “Linee guida” – ‘Guidelines’). It is also based on guidelines from the ICOM (International Council of Museums) in its definition of “Museum” and recommended code of conduct.
The Charter of Visitor Rights underlines the fundamental and essential relationship between the Museum and its public. It clearly and explicitly states the services and their relative quality levels, which the Museum strives to offer its users in accordance with the relevant law.
1.MUSEUM MISSION
The Museum endeavours to: safeguard, investigate, conserve, exploit positively and exhibit publicly; promote knowledge of the local area’s ethnographic and identity heritage; raise awareness and promote the care of horses in general, and of the Giara horse in particular; promote the knowledge and care of the collection of ethnographic finds conserved in the Museum.
The Museum fulfils this Mission by:
1. acting as an exhibition centre for the ethnographic collections;
2. acting as a centre of scientific research, carrying out activities which focus on the Museum’s heritage, local historical testimonies, and the promotion of culture;
3. contributing towards the growth of culture in general, and endorsing more widespread reading, paying particular attention to younger age groups;
4. acting as a cultural, training and educational activity centre for projects targeted at various user groups, by means of seminars, conventions, internships and training programmes, thematic lessons and guided tours. The Museum is especially committed to supporting schools;
5. collaborating with both Italian and foreign universities and research institutes, as well as with local organizations and cultural associations operating in the area, across a range of activities that it performs.
2.LEGAL STATUS AND INTERNAL ORGANIZATION
The Civic Museum of the Giara Horse is based in via Chiesa, sn, 08030, Genoni (OR), Italy. The building is owned by Genoni Council and is preserved in accordance with current regulations on cultural heritage.
The Museum Collections are public cultural heritage owned by the Town Council.
The Civic Museum of the Giara Horse is a permanent, non-profit organization. The Museum operates in accordance with its Statute and any subsequent rulings, and/or internal regulations.
INTERNAL ORGANIZATION
The Museum’s internal organization is regulated by and described in its Statute, adopted by the council ruling of 5th January 2012.
3.3.1 OUTDOOR ACCESSIBILITY
It is possible to reach the Museum:
by public transport. A bus stop is located in via Roma;
by private transport in the area surrounding the Museum.
3.2 INDOOR ACCESSIBILITY AND SAFETY
Spaces designated for public use have been made accessible to wheelchair users by eliminating any existing obstructions and building appropriate toilet facilities, all in keeping with the characteristics of the old building;
Safe exit routes have been identified and are clearly indicated;
Safety and security systems for people and items are installed in the Museum.
3.3 SIGNS INSIDE THE MUSEUM
Floor plans indicating exhibition routes and toilet facilities can be found in the entrance hall;
Panels and descriptive labels accompany the exhibits for ease of identification.
4.OPENING TIMES
Subject to the number of human resources available, the Museum strives to offer extended opening times, guaranteeing a 25-hour weekly service, including weekends and the main public holidays:
Monday closed closed
Tuesday closed closed
Wednesday closed 16.00-20.00
Thursday closed 16.00-20.00
Friday 10.00-13.00 16.00-20.00
Saturday 10.00-13.00 16.00-20.00
Sunday 10.00-13.00 16.00-20.00
Although the Museum is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, visits on these days can be booked in advance.
5.ADMISSION
Admission to the Museum is subject to a fee. Ticket prices are as follows:
Full price €3.50
Concessions €2.50 (EU citizens between 18-25 years)
Free entry for:
EU citizens under 18 years
EU citizens over 65 years
School groups and accompanying adults
For exemptions and reductions for professional groups, or for days and initiatives promoted by the Ministry, please enquire at the Ticket Office.
The Ticket Office is open during museum opening times.
For further information, please call: +39 339 16 76 863.
Email: coopgiunone@yahoo.it
6.OTHER SERVICES
TOILET FACILITIES for visitors; REST AREAS and MEETING POINTS in the rooms.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES include guided tours in the Museum for schools and groups. It is also possible for guided tours to be conducted in English.
An EDUCATIONAL SERVICE has been set up in collaboration with schools, local organizations, university and voluntary cultural associations. Its purpose is to devise projects and initiatives to promote and exploit the heritage in the Museum and local area.
A SPECIALIST LIBRARY is housed within the Museum. Scholars and students can apply to use the service.
7.PHOTOGRAPHY
Still photography or video recordings of the cultural heritage exhibited in the Museum may only be taken – without incurring charges – if strictly for personal use only and if using non-professional equipment, in accordance with the relevant Italian law on photography (cf. Regolamento di attuazione della Legge n. 4/93; D.Lgs. n.41 22 gennaio 2004, artt.107-109).
Any form of reproduction must however be authorized. Visitors who wish to take amateur photographs or video recordings of the cultural heritage on display must fill in the relevant form, available from the Museum Ticket Office.
Every other type of reproduction is subject to payment of a fee, as published in the ministerial pricelist detailing all forms of reproduction.
Applications for photographic reproductions or video recordings of exhibits for non-personal use can be submitted to the Museum Secretarial Office.
8.PUBLIC RELATIONS AND VISITOR SATISFACTION
A suggestions and complaints register for public use is available at the Ticket Office. The register is inspected regularly by Management;
Visitors are periodically asked to take part in questionnaires, in order to allow Management to evaluate visitor satisfaction of the Museum’s services and to welcome any suggestions;
The Museum endeavours to conserve and protect the cultural heritage on display, so that it may be enjoyed in future years. Visitors are therefore kindly requested to collaborate by:
1. respecting the exhibits, by neither touching, soiling, tampering with, nor damaging them;
2. behaving appropriately for the duration of their visit, so as not to disturb other visitors, by speaking quietly and moving calmly about the Museum;
3. refraining from smoking in the Museum;
4. switching off mobile phones when near safety and security systems;
5. abiding by the regulations on photography.