Ruth Thomas, an expert on ancient Egypt, said the town could now be discredited by the Museums Association.

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Some local people opposed the sale, claiming it could lead to the council being discredited by the Museums Association.

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They were thrown out of the Museums Association as a result.

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The borough said it would now consult with the Museums Association and Arts Council England on whether an auction was the best way forward, subject to the statue reaching its reserve price.

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Television star Loyd Grossman, Chairman of the Campaign for Museums which developed the Internet site with the Museums Documentation Association, said that giving national collection status to the 24 Hour Museum was an important step in its development.

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Are also invited directors and high level experts from other European museums, professional institutions or international organizations to allow for an exchange of ideas and best practices (Peace Memorial in Caen, Museum of Europe in Brussels, German Historical Museum in Berlin, National Museum of the Risorgimento in Turin, Council of Europe, International Association of Museums of History, ICOM South-East European Regional Alliance).

UNESCO: Detailview | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

The proposals - by the Local Government Association and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council - aim to keep open some 400 libraries amid funding cuts.

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"We believe that Congress' intention was to permit fractional gifts to be made, but to curb perceived abuses under the old law, " Millicent Gaudieri, executive director of the Association of Art Museum Directors, which represents 170 art museums nationwide, wrote to the Senate Finance Committee.

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Scottish museums have enjoyed a record year for visitors, according to figures published by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions.

BBC: Scottish museums record top year for visitors

Kirtsaeng has attracted a large number of amicus briefs, with the American Library Association, Costco, eBay, Goodwill Industries International, Google, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and a group of leading American art museums backing Kirtsaeng.

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Gibson heads the American Association for Research in Baghdad -- a consortium of about 30 U.S. museums and universities.

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