There are a number of networks, other organisations and agencies which can help you with conservation and collections care issues.
Collections Link is a collaboration of more than 20 national professional groups, bodies and associations responsible for providing advice and support to museums and other collections-holding organisations. Managed by MDA and supported by SMC, the aim of the service is to provide a single point of access to best practice in the care and management of collections. There are four main elements to Collections Link:
You can telephone Collections Link for one-to-one collections management advice. T: 0845 838 4000
The Conservation Register of the United Kingdom includes all conservation workshops and laboratories that meet recognised UK standards of conservation. It is free to use and you can search for the expertise you need either by geographical location or by object type. The �How to care for�� section of the website also provides a useful set of conservation guidance sheets, covering topics as diverse as �care and preservation of removable digital and electronic media� to �books and family bibles�.
The Museums Association provides information about collections care and conservation consultants and about suppliers of conservation products through the �Find a Supplier� link on its website.
The Preventive Conservation Forum (PCF) is free to join and is not affiliated to any body or organisation. It is an informal network of people interested in the area of preventive conservation in Scotland, and includes curators, collections managers, volunteers and conservators. PCF works via an e-mail network and regular meetings. To find out more or to add your name to the email discussion list, contact Katie Symes, Preventive Conservation Officer, NMS: [email protected].
Collections Care Group for Aberdeenshire and Angus
Lorraine Hesketh-Campbell, Northeast Regional Conservator for National Trust Scotland based at Castle Fraser, has recently set up a group for locally based museum volunteers, conservators, collections care professionals and curators who have an interest in collections care. It meets at regular intervals at one of the member museums to discuss and debate issues, give talks, share knowledge and experience and generally raise preventive conservation awareness in this region.
Anyone interested in knowing more should e-mail Lorraine at [email protected]
National Museums Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland conservation departments can also provide advice on conservation matters. If your local authority museums service has a conservation department they too may be able to assist you with your conservation queries.
