Collections (Care) Manager
A collections (care) manager ensures the safety and the long-term preservation and care of objects, often managing storage, conservation and record-keeping associated with the objects; including the development of policies and standards for museums. [1]
Basic Collections (Care) Management Responsibilities[edit | edit source]
The job of a collections (care) manager is often hands-on and involves problem-solving. They may carry out or oversee the movement of objects, the preparation of objects for exhibition, re-housing and relocation projects, basic housekeeping, and integrated pest management. Depending on the size of the institution, they may supervise staff specializing in packing and installing.[2] Other activities the collections (care) manager is often responsible for include environmental monitoring, emergency preparedness, collections care assessments, training volunteers, and the evaluation of documentation standards. [3]
Preventive Conservation[edit | edit source]
The primary role of a collections (care) manager is the planning and implementation of activities that ensure the long-term preservation of a collection.
Preventive conservation is the measures and actions taken to avoid and minimize future deterioration or loss. They are carried out within the context or on the surroundings of an item, but more often a group of items, whatever their age and condition. These measures and actions are indirect – they do not interfere with the materials and structures of the items. They do not modify their appearance. Examples of preventive conservation are appropriate measures and actions for registration, storage, handling, packing and transportation, security, environmental management (light, humidity, pollution and pest control), emergency planning, education of staff, public awareness, legal compliance.[4]
Collection Management Policy[edit | edit source]
A collection management policies includes everything related to document, care, and develop museums collections and make them available for use. The policies also include standards related to acquisitions, loans, access, and deaccessioning of objects.
There are fundamental commonalities among all collections in the principles that forms the basis for collections management policies:
- Each object or specimen entering a museum must be documented.
- Collections should be stabilized for long-term preservation and housed in a proper storage environment.
- The collections must be regularly inventoried and monitored.
- The collections storage environment must be regularity monitored.
- All collections activities and monitoring must be documented.
The overall purpose of the collection management policy is to minimize risk to the collection.[5]
Related Terms[edit | edit source]
Translation[edit | edit source]
| English | Collections Manager |
| French | Directeur des Collections |
| Spanish | Manejador de Colecciones |
| Portuguese | Gerente de Coleções |
| Italian | Collezione Direttore |
| German | |
| Russian | |
| Arabic |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Collections manager. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.museumsassociation.org/careers/9914
- ↑ Buck, R. (2010). Collection Roles. In MRM5: Museum Registration Methods (5th ed., pp. 12-13). Washington, DC: AAM Press, American Association of Museums.
- ↑ Fifield, B. (2012). What is a Collections Manager? Retrieved from: http://thestillroomblog.com/2012/04/23/museum-monday-what-is-a-collections-manager/
- ↑ Preventive Conservation. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Preventive_conservation
- ↑ Simmons, J. (2010). Collection Management Policies. In MRM5: Museum Registration Methods (5th ed., pp. 24-29). Washington, DC: AAM Press, American Association of Museums
