Some museum networks are specific to collection type whilst others focus more widely, on a collections-based activity or area of work. SMC works with a number of partners to support museum participation in both types of network, whether they operate only in Scotland or have a UK-wide remit.
Scottish Collections Managers Forum
A group of collections managers representing museums across Scotland met in January 2007 to discuss what benefits there might be in establishing formal communication links for peer support. The group unanimously decided to set up a Scottish Collections Managers e-mail listing in the first instance to begin sharing information and knowledge around core collections management activity.
The Group is keen to widen its membership to involve anyone with a responsibility for managing collections in Scotland�s museums. To find out more, or to add your name to the free e-mail discussion list, email Pam Kerr at National Museums Scotland.
E: [email protected]
Scottish Transport and Industry Collections Knowledge Network (STICK)
A steering group was set up in 2006 to form a diverse network aiming to promote the care and enjoyment of technology, transport and industrial collections. Through research, stewardship and advocacy, STICK will encourage wider engagement with technological and industrial collections across Scotland.
The Group will be formally launched in October 2007 at the Society of Antiquaries Industrial Heritage Conference and is open to all with an interest and responsibility for these collections in Scotland. Subscription is free but all members will be asked to complete a data capture form recording their interests, collections and/or areas of expertise.
To find out more, please watch this site for details or contact Maureen Kerr, National Museums Scotland.
T: 0131 247 4274
E: [email protected]
MMiC:S - The Modern Materials in Collections: Scotland group, launched November 2006, aims to support informed and confident decision making about modern materials in museum/art collections, identify key stewardship issues in caring for modern materials in museum/art collections and promote, encourage and advance the collecting of modern materials.
MMiC:S now has a blog and invites your comments and postings on relevant issues. This is intended to provoke discussion about the care and collecting of modern materials in museum collections and to highlight news, events and articles.
See http://mmics.wordpress.com
For information about the group, please contact MMiC:S Co-ordinator Emma Roodhouse at Falkirk Council Museums. E: [email protected]
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, National Museums Scotland. E: [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].
SMC Conservators Network
This network was set up by SMC for all the conservators who are on the staff of our member museums to support individuals through training, advice or workshops, to provide the best service possible for their museums. Many conservators working in Scotland do not have peer support within their organisations or in the region in which they work. Please note that this network is for professionally trained conservators who are on the staff of our member museums only.
For more information, or to express interest in taking part in the SMC Conservators Network, contact Collections Development Manager Gillian Findlay.
E: [email protected]
T: 0131 550 4126
�Find A Network� on Collections Link
Collections Link, the collections management advisory service managed by MDA, is intending to develop a UK-wide database of national, regional and local networks of expertise in different areas of collections management. In the meantime, the following information is available through its �Find a Network� link: http://www.collectionslink.org.uk/find_a_network
- Subject Specialist Networks: Subject Specialist Networks are established throughout the UK. Some of those led by English organisations are currently being supported by MLA (Museums, Libraries and Archive Council) to develop as a focus for knowledge exchange between collections managers, keepers and curators throughout the UK. For a full list of SSNs or to find out more, click on the link above.
- Other Specialist Networks: A number of other Groups, Societies and Associations exist which hold considerable expertise and experience in the management of different types of collection. These include groups such as the UK Registrars Group (http://ukrg.org/Index.php), Touring Exhibitions Group (http://www.teg.org.uk) and Oral History Society (http://www.ohs.org.uk).
- Regional Networks: a list of Scotland�s Regional Museum Forums and details for the Scottish Museums Federation are available here.
