History and Heritage Collection Management Policies

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History and Heritage Collection Management
Policies
Presented to Australasian Parliamentary
Libraries Association

• 16th June 2006
• Julian BickerstethManaging Director
• ICS

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What is a collection management policy for?

• Enables efficient and strategic management and
  planning of a collection
• Establishes a benchmark of care and attitude
  towards the collection by staff
• Provides a pathway of protocols as to how to
  bring new items into the collection
• Manages the life of an item in the collection
• Determines the most appropriate exit for an
  item
• Allows management to think dynamically about
  accessing the collection whilst still preserving
  it

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What do Collection Management Policies typically
contain

• Acquisitions
• Documentation / Accessioning
• Loans
• Access
• Research
• Storage and display
• Collection Care
• Security
• Deaccessioning and disposal

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Examples of Collection Management Policies

• RTA (NSW)
• Australian Museum, Sydney
• Antarctic Heritage Trust (NZ)
• Adelaide University

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Case Study Parliament House, New Zealand

• History and Heritage Programme
• - To promote, make accessible the history and
  heritage of Parliament
• - To capture, manage and preserve the history
  and heritage of Parliament
• A broad collection of library material,
  furniture, artworks, books, maps, plans, oral
  histories, TV footage, newspapers, memorabilia,
  buildings and monuments, plants and trees
• The need to define why the collection exists
  and what are its parameters
• - Curtilage has happened at Parliament House
• - People have had a significant association
  with Parliament House
• - Objects have a Parliamentary association
  through people or events
• A guide for future collecting

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Case Study Parliament House, Canberra

• Major artworks collection, with specialist art
  services branch
• No in-house conservation capability
• Recognition that the entire collection cannot
  be maintained at same level
• Key elements program for 150 most significant
  works
• Artworks linked to the management of the
  building ie 200 year life-span
• Major issue with selection of artworks for
  Ministers and Senators offices/suites

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Case Study Old Parliament House, Canberra

• Museum of Parliamentary history
• Temporary home of the National Portrait Gallery
• Many original fittings remaining
• Use of the chambers for functions and visitors
• Split collections into Heritage, Associated,
  and Research.
• EPBC act provides legislative duty of care
• Conservation Management Plan (2000) identified
  significant aspects of the House requiring
  conservation management

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History and Heritage Collection Management
Policies
Thank you Julian Bickersteth Managing
director International Conservation Services