The document outlines the work and commitments of the Collections Trust, which advocates for access to and management of collections across UK museums, archives, and libraries. It emphasizes the balance between user access and long-term preservation, the importance of a cohesive approach to collections management, and the need for effective advocacy and professional standards. Additionally, it highlights challenges and opportunities in the cultural sector, including innovation, digital projects, and the significance of collaboration within collections management teams.

1. Collections Management Nick Poole, Chief Executive, Collections Trust

2. Independent UK not-for-profit representing collections and the people who work with them.

3. We believe that everyone everywhere should have the right to access and benefit from collections.

4. We will: Put people at the heart of cultural services Advocate the value of Collections Advocate the role of Collections Management in delivering great services Represent everyone who works with Collections

5. Work programmes: Advocacy Research Publishing Standards Digital Training Membership Management

6. What is Collections Management....?

7. A balance between the competing demands of the highest feasible level of user access to collections against the challenge of long-term preservation.

8. A multi-disciplinary approach which uses the diverse skills and knowledge of collections professionals and others to achieve sustainable solutions.

9. A commitment at all levels of a collecting organisation to ensure the appropriate integration of policies, strategies, procedures, plans and resources.

10. BSI PAS 197: A Code of Practice for Collections Management A collective definition across museums, archives, libraries Emphasising the similarities in core processes Professionalising the practice of looking after stuff

11. Organisational Mission Collections Management Collections Development Collections Information Collections Care Collections Access

12. An holistic approach It’s no longer about specialisms It’s about understanding the connections It’s about managing programmes effectively It’s about being a champion and advocate

13. Good management gives you... Sustainability Accountability Compliance The freedom to be creative and innovate More opportunities to share Confidence

14. Challenges and barriers....

15. Internal barriers... Constraints on time and resources The front/back office divide Lack of management buy-in What gets measured gets managed Long-term programmes in a project culture

16. External barriers... Strong emphasis on social policy Education and public outcomes Fragmentation of policy priorities

17. The greatest challenge resides in demonstrating the public value of managing collections. It’s the ‘so what’ argument. - Roy Clare, CEO, MLA

18. We have a dream, in which a museum is planning a project and the team includes the front-of-house staff, the curator, the registrar, the manager. And each of them comes to the meeting with a clear idea of what the other does, why it matters and how it can help them...

19. Other big policy agendas for collections... The Web (Digital Britain) Democratising access Social, environmental and economic sustainability Innovation and enterprise

20. Things we do which can help you when you’re working with Collections....

21. Collections Link The National Collections Management Advisory Service Best practice guidance on Collections Management Expert advisers available by telephone and email Database of training opportunities throughout the UK Listings of specialist networks www.collectionslink.org.uk

22. Cultural Property Advice The Government guide to managing cultural property Expert advice on theft, restitution, repatriation, spoliation Guidance on ethical acquisition, online auction sites etc. Guidance on press relations www.culturalpropertyadvice.gov.uk

23. Discs-UK Digital Services for the Cultural Sector How to plan digital projects How to procure digital services Listings of hundreds of accredited digital providers www.discs-uk.info

24. SPECTRUM Partners Scheme Guidance on buying a Collections Management System Guide to the features of the main companies Validating software for standards compliance Ensuring that the software meets your needs www.collectionstrust.org.uk

25. Revisiting Collections UK-wide methodology for capturing user interpretation of collections Revealing some fascinating new information Ways of conducting open, constructive user consultation From the Collections Link website

26. CultureLabel Connecting cultural agencies and big-name brands Looking at how museums can innovate Aggregating information & value across the sector Looking at the business model underlying cultural service delivery Launching November 2008

27. Copyright and the Law We lead in the UK on Copyright for museums Working with the UK Intellectual Property Office and others Trying to provide a ‘safe harbour’ for collections management IP Manifesto for Collections

28. Digital Initiatives UK lead on digital strategy for museums Managing the Peoples Network in public libraries Developing a coherent digital offer Moving away from Digitisation towards service delivery Partnering with Google, BBC, C4 etc...

29. Some takehomes...

30. No matter what excites or motivates you about working in museums, archives or libraries, you need to know what’s involved in managing a collection.

31. There is no divide between management and delivery – they are two sides of the same process, and neither exists without the other.

32. Bad management is incremental – the worse it gets, the worse it gets – and eventually it stops you being able to act.

33. If in doubt, always go back to first principles. What are you trying to achieve, who are you doing it for? Management is mostly just common-sense.

34. There’s never been a better time to go into culture as a career. There’s a generational shift going on out there, old ideas are being challenged and new models created. Public awareness is higher, politicians are smarter, there are more opportunities. Have fun!

35. Get in touch! Nick Poole 01223 316 028 [email_address] P.S. We do placements...