Collections Management

Abstract

Having introduced the history and materiality of the most common Special Collections objects, in this part we explore the skills and expertise needed to manage them. Collections management activities (preservation, acquisitions, cataloguing and digitisation) ensure that objects in collections can be used by people now and in the future. Each chapter will consider: 1 The nature of the activity and why it is important. 2 Standards and guidelines to show best practice. 3 Challenges that prevent us from achieving best practice. 4 Ways to manage the challenges, including policy, planning, understanding risks, creative thinking, and inspiring examples – best practice may not be possible; better practice definitely is. Collections management must be based on the mission and strategy of the library and the wider organisation. Special Collections contain boundless possibilities for preservation, cataloguing, marketing, digitisation, etc. Managing collections effectively is about making good choices from these possibilities. If choices are not informed by the ultimate purpose and long-term goals of the organisation, they may not be the best choices to achieve those ends – wasting resources and missing opportunities.

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