Collections Management
This one-day course is designed for entry-level museum practitioners who wish to learn more about the collections management in museums. We explore the definitions and purpose of collections management and discuss public trust and ethical behaviour. Collections policies, manual, and responsibility are key to collections management. We spend time examining the collections of objects – classification, methods, laws and regulations, appraisals, planning and more. The why and how of record-keeping are explained and
Agenda
Theme 1: Introduction and overview
Theme 2: What is Collections Management?
- Definition and purpose
- Activities in collections management
- Public trust
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Ethical behaviour
Theme 3: What is Required to Manage a Collection?
- Collections policy
- Collections management manual
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Responsibility for the collection
Theme 4: Collecting the Objects
- Classification of collections
- How a museum collects
- Laws, regulations and conventions
- Valuation/appraisals
- Risk management
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Planning for collections development
Theme 5: Record-Keeping
- Why museums keep records
- Collections Documentation Management System
- Loans
- Deaccessioning
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Artifact numbering and labelling
Theme 6: Standards for Record-Keeping
- Consistency
- Terminology
- Measurements
- Descriptions
- Classification system
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Condition Reporting
Theme 7: Wrap up and Review
