Here you can find further resources to help with the Spectrum procedure Use of collections. For the procedure itself follow this link.
During the current lockdown period, many museums have been keen to get more of their collections online. On 25 June 2020, this expert panel discussed the options, shared good examples and answered questions.
When sampling decisions for scientific investigations of heritage objects or sites are collaborative and transparent between researchers and owners/custodians, they encourage balanced, objective and consistent discussions and conclusions. However, finding, sharing or communicating information to support and direct common-ground decisions from multi-perspectives is not always easy. To fill this important information gap, the Heritage Science Group committee of the Institute for Conservation (Icon) has developed this guidance for materials research.
Part of their collections skills training resources, this film takes you through the various design and production stages when building and installing a new exhibition or display at the British Museum.
As part of the British Museum’s collections skills training, this film talks through the techniques used at the museum for mounting works on paper.
As part of the British Museum’s collections skills training, this film demonstrates the techniques used at the museum for framing prints and drawings when they are being loaned for exhibitions and displays.
As part of the British Museum’s collections skills training, this film takes you through the planning stages for a display at the British Museum.
The Group for Education in Museums (GEM) supports heritage educators all over the world by providing resources, training, events and professional development and career advice.
This guide describes the different types of display case and gives guidance on choosing the right one for your collections.
This toolkit from Understanding British Portraits SSN looks at the interpretation needs of different audiences, the range of interpretation techniques, and aspects to consider when reading specific portraits.
This resource outlines professional guidelines concerning the storage, display, interpretation and return of human remains in ethnographical collections in the United Kingdom.
The Archaeological Recording Kit (ARK) is an open-source, standards-compliant tool for recording archaeological data and making it available on the web.
This video follows Justy Alicea, a senior preparator at the American Museum of Natural History, as he works on a specimen and then gives a tour of the Museum’s fossil preparation lab.
In this film, we take a behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s largest collection of wasp nests with James M. Carpenter, entomologist and curator in the Museum’s Division of Invertebrate Zoology.
This report by Dr. Suzanne Keene from UCL outlines how stored collections can be used more effectively. The research was prompted by calls for more effective use of museums’ stored collections.
The UK Medical Collections Group ‘Medicine at the Movies’ project invited adult learners to use medical museums as inspiration to make a series of short films. The project demonstrates how museums can be accessible and stimulating learning environments. This guide provides an outline of how similar projects might run.
These guidance notes, session plans and case studies offer support when using Revisiting Collections with both young people and wider community groups. This resource offers guidance on setting up group sessions, stimulating and capturing people’s responses to objects and records, and using direct engagement with collections as the foundation for creativity and innovation.
This template from Tate Research shows the information you should capture when planning the installation of a piece of time-based media.
This spreadsheet will help you to capture Revisiting Museum Collections data. The spreadsheet is a template you can use when recording data captured through Revisiting sessions.
These sample data collection forms are intended for use in a Revisiting Collections group session. They offer guidance on informed consent, data protection and on prompting and capturing participants’ responses to objects and records.
This fact sheet outlines how to choose the correct materials for the storage and display of artefacts.
This document gives guidance on providing for the safe exhibition of archive and library materials.
This report commissioned by the NMDC from the Collections Trust examines how NMDC member museums are balancing the twin aims of maximising public access to their digital content and promoting their own financial sustainability.
This resource identifies harmful substances, outlines the damage they can cause to museum objects and offers guidance on choosing safe materials to store and display collections.
You will find this helpful if you are considering different ways to open up your own museum stores. This resource focuses on what’s working for places like Leeds Discovery Centre, Jersey Heritage and other collections stores around the UK and pulls out some useful example and tips.
This publication provides a comprehensive overview and recommended standards for touring exhibitions. The standard covers policies, research, schedules, budgets, care for visitors, educational materials, display cases, publicity, packing and storage and protection of exhibits.
This handbook provides practical suggestions for museums on developing effective and accessible written communications, displays, text and websites.
This practical guide outlines procedures for specifying museum display cases with particular reference to security.
This practical guide gives advice for architects and planners in the design of buildings which house museum collections, with particular reference to the security of the collections.
The national curricula for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland may be relevant to museums creating educational resources for schools. The curriculum for Scotland (‘Curriculum for Excellence’) is not governed by any national legislation.
This legislation is directly related to the Accreditation standard and achieving requirement 3.1.5 Access Policy Statement as museums need to ensure they are acting within the relevant legislation.
This resource from the International Council of Museums (ICOM) outlines ethical advice and guidance for the international museum community, which may be of reliance when undertaking international loans.
This website provides links to all Kids in Museums resources including fact sheets and information for Takeover day.
These guidelines focus on creating gallery text that is interesting, engaging and accessible for a wide audience, recognising people’s needs and interests, and use the devices of good writing to communicate ideas.
The Web Accessibility Initiative provides resources on its website and works by developing support materials to help understand and implement web accessibility and developing resources, through international collaboration.
This document details the current access policy statement for Leeds Museums and Galleries.
This template has been developed to help museums of all sizes and types to meet the minimum Accreditation standard for creating an access policy statement.
This guide provides information on issues that museums might need to consider when exploring the practice of co-creation, and through the case studies, it provides examples of good practice designed to inspire museums to work with their audiences in new ways.