Presentation by Laura Whitton, Networks Officer for the Collections Trust at the CT / Museums Galleries Scotland partnership event in Edinburgh on 2 March 2010.

1. COLLECTIONS TRUST MUSEUMS GALLERIES SCOTLAND PARTNERSHIP EVENT 02.03.10

2. Welcome to the session Introductions: Who we are What we do Key services: Collections Link SSN Connect PAS 197 & SPECTRUM Publications Stories of the World & Revisiting Collections Culture Grid Supporting Sustainable Digital Content Contents

3. Who we are... Supporting Networks Laura Whitton Networks Officer [email_address] Susanna Hillhouse Networks Officer [email_address] Simon Sheffield Online Services Officer [email_address]

5. Our role... We offer a route to the resources that help museums manage their collections more effectively and so provide better access for the public Through Partnership working we can connect with greater numbers of museums, libraries and archives and networks to promote engagement with their collections

6. Collections Link Launched by the Collections Trust in 2006, providing a focus for the international collections management community Re-launching in April 2010, following extensive consultation with practitioners A platform for practitioners to connect with colleagues, find expert advice and contribute best practice guidance to the community

7. A comprehensive online library of best practice resources and guidelines Tools to help you connect with other collections practitioners, expert groups, specialist networks and training providers An enhanced database of training and skills development opportunities An online shop selling Collections Management publications and resources New Collections Link website

12. Online directory of training courses and professional development opportunities Listings of conferences and events Searchable by subject, date and location Registered users able to upload their own training and events listings Training and events listings

14. What next? Visit the website: www.collectionslink.org.uk Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/collectionslink Find out more

15. SSN Connect Your own website – your ‘shop window’ A place to promote your network and any news, events or training Resource section for you to add content for members A ‘How To...’ guide and Online Services support from Collections Trust

16. SSN Connect Links to the Culture Grid: Can see who the members of your network are Can search all your member collections for specific items through the Culture Grid Another way for audiences to reach your collections as well as network members

17. SSN Connect – Your Choice Are you part of a network that needs an online presence? Look at other examples of SSN Connect sites Talk to Susanna Hillhouse who can put you in touch with Simon Sheffield, Online Services Officer at Collections Trust for advice and how to get started [email_address] [email_address]

18. Standards

19. SPECTRUM Partners are the only collection and digital asset management software vendors who have a licence for the commercial use of SPECTRUM Only SPECTRUM Partners are allowed to say they are SPECTRUM Compliant, after a formal testing process Partnership with Collections Management Software suppliers

20. Collections Management Systems You may need advice on the suitability of a Collections Management software system The Software Survey is on the Collections Trust website

21. Joint British Standards Institution/Collections Trust Code of Practice for Collections Management Right time to capture and acknowledge developments in Collections Management practice. PAS 197 defines and consolidates professional practice A joint definition across museums, archives and libraries which allows the sector to face future challenges from a commonly agreed position Demonstrating the value & impact of strategic Collections Management as a core part of business planning PAS 197:2009

22. The PAS is interpreted in Collections Management: A Practical Guide by Susanna Hillhouse The guide tells you exactly what you need to know about the PAS in practical terms using case studies and illustrations. It is a voluntary set of standards but it is likely that it will influence museum practice and standards in the future PAS 197:2009 Interpreted

23. Anyone can use the Revisiting Collections methodology. It can be embedded into your normal documentation practice. The toolkit is available on Collections Link and on CD. Revisiting Collections

24. ‘ It felt like walking in history itself, not just British history but the entire world ’ Revisiting Collections ‘ Our participants have very much enjoyed the session... all had different experiences which has added real depth to the sessions’ ‘ I enjoyed 'bouncing' ideas and comments with other volunteers and the Museum Team ’

25. Using the Revisiting Collections methodology, the Stories of the World project will uncover stories about museum collections to help celebrate the Cultural Olympiad Revisiting Collections in action: Stories of the World

26. Publications: Practical Guide Series Produced with the sector to provide the best Collections Management guidance on the topics museums need to know about most

27. Key services: Practical Guide Series Coming Soon... Security: A Practical Guide (June 2010) The Practical Guide series will total about 12 publications. We want to represent what is most important to the sector so do tell us what you need as a Practical Guide Please contact me [email_address] or one of my colleagues.

28. www.collectionstrust.org.uk www.collectionslink.org.uk OpenCulture Blog http://openculture.collectionstrustblogs.org.uk/ Follow us on Twitter! www.twitter.com/collectiontrust Further Information

29. Thank you! Laura Whitton Networks Officer Collections Trust [email_address]