Collections Management :Collections Management Nick Poole, Chief Executive, Collections Trust


Slide 2:Introduction Background in fine arts, worked in the finance sector National policy adviser to MLA (IT, then Regions) CEO, Collections Trust Councillor of the Museums Association UK representative for culture in the EC


Slide 3:About the Collections Trust...


Slide 4:Independent UK not-for-profit representing collections and the people who work with them.


Slide 5:We believe that everyone everywhere should have the right to access and benefit from collections.


Slide 6:Funding: 1/3 Government 1/3 European Union 1/3 Income-generation Turnover for 2008-09 est. £1.2m Funding secured against a 3 year cycle


Slide 7: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


Slide 8:Work programmes: Advocacy Research Publishing Standards Digital Training Membership Management


Slide 9:DCSF BERR DCMS CILIP MA MLA NMDC AIM Treasury CT National Regional Hubs Local Indy TNA Branch


Slide 10:What is Collections Management....?


Slide 11:A balance between the competing demands of the highest feasible level of user access to collections against the challenge of long-term preservation.


Slide 12:A multi-disciplinary approach which uses the diverse skills and knowledge of collections professionals and others to achieve sustainable solutions.


Slide 13:A commitment at all levels of a collecting organisation to ensure the appropriate integration of policies, strategies, procedures, plans and resources.


Slide 14: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


Slide 15:Organisational Mission Collections Management Collections Development Collections Information Collections Care Collections Access


Slide 16: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


Slide 17:Good management gives you... Sustainability Accountability Compliance The freedom to be creative and innovate More opportunities to share Confidence


Slide 18:Challenges and barriers....


Slide 19: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


Slide 20:External barriers... Strong emphasis on social policy Education and public outcomes Fragmentation of policy priorities


Slide 21:The greatest challenge resides in demonstrating the public value of managing collections. It’s the ‘so what’ argument. - Roy Clare, CEO, MLA


Slide 22: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...


Slide 23:Other big policy agendas for collections... The Web (Digital Britain) Democratising access Social, environmental and economic sustainability Innovation and enterprise


Slide 24:Things we do which can help you when you’re working with Collections....


Slide 25: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


Slide 26: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


Slide 27: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


Slide 28: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


Slide 29: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


Slide 30: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


Slide 31: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


Slide 32: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...


Slide 33:Some takehomes...


Slide 34: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.


Slide 35:There is no divide between management and delivery – they are two sides of the same process, and neither exists without the other.


Slide 36:Bad management is incremental – the worse it gets, the worse it gets – and eventually it stops you being able to act.


Slide 37: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.


Slide 38: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!


Get in touch!Nick Poole01223 316 028nick@collectionstrust.org.ukP.S. We do placements... :Get in touch!Nick Poole01223 316 028nick@collectionstrust.org.ukP.S. We do placements...