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Grass Roots: Joint SMC/GEM Project
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Their Past Your Future
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Improving Knowledge

Knowledge in museums takes many forms. Object-specific information is recorded through the documentation process. Collection and subject expertise is developed through study, whilst practical skill and technical know-how is gathered through experience of collections. How museums manage and communicate this knowledge � and, crucially, the value they place upon it � is key to successful collections use.
(SMC Collections Development Strategy, 2006)

 

 

Visitor studying a display of hats at Aberdeen Art Gallery

 

Collections Documentation, Research and Safeguarding Knowledge
Increasingly museums are focusing on how they can make collections more available for people to see, use, study and enjoy.  For this to happen most effectively, SMC believes museums need to regularly assess the type of supporting information being collected and developed about collections, and be willing to invest in ways to enrich or augment it.

For more information about how SMC can support knowledge management activity in museums, please choose from the options below:

• Capturing Collections Knowledge � Documentation
• Increasing Collections Knowledge � Research
• Safeguarding Collections Knowledge - Succession Planning

Current News and Initiatives

• September 2007.   Making the Case: A New Guide to Applying for Documentation Funding

MDA, MLA East of England and the East of England Regional Archives Council have announced the publication of Making the Case - a guide to making funding bids for documentation projects.
The report is designed to provide museums, libraries and archives with a range of evidence to help them secure funding for vital documentation work, such as clearing backlogs.

While these projects are a key priority for many collections holders, obtaining funding to undertake such back-of-house work has often proved difficult. 'Making the Case' sets out a range of arguments to show that a well documented collection is the foundation on which user services are based. These arguments include:

• The economic impact � minimizing lost income generation opportunities, and storage and security costs?
• The business argument � meeting the core professional purposes of accessibility and collections care?
• The social argument � fostering engagement with the local community and encouraging lifelong learning?
• Political considerations � improving access and achieving national standards in collections care?
• Legal requirements � meeting the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, and proving ownership of objects and archive collections.

The report, which is available on Collections Link at www.collectionslink.org.uk/raise_funds includes case studies of projects which successfully secured funds for documentation work, outlining the arguments they made to governing bodies and external funders. These examples are available for others to use as a basis for their own funding applications. 

For information regarding any aspect of collections development, contact SMC Collections Development Manager Gillian Findlay.
T: 0131 550 4126
E: [email protected]

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