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Use Knowledge Management Systems
Knowledge management can range from a well-organised filing system to a tailor-made computer system for sharing knowledge within and beyond an organisation. SCAM: Standing Conference on Archives and Museums produce a very useful information sheet dealing with the subject of managing administrative records, which, although aimed at museums, could easily be applied beyond this context. The advice contained in it forms a good basis for ensuring basic knowledge management systems are in place and used effectively within your institution.
''Information' is a very broad term which can cover everything from the contents of a filing cabinet, to the books in a reference library, or the vast resources of the Internet. 'Records' is a more specific term, and one which is not always clearly understood. Records certainly contain information, but what is distinctive about them is that they contain evidence of a person's or organisation's activities. In the case of a museum this might include evidence of decisions made by the museum's management, evidence of financial or other transactions, evidence of legal rights and obligations, evidence of events which have taken place in the museum, evidence of communications between the museum's staff or volunteers and the world outside.' Read the full article ...
Useful contacts:
- For more information about SCAM, contact chairman Christopher Marsden at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
- The National Archives offer useful information for those working with archive collections on records management.
- The British Records Association aims to encourage and assist with the preservation, care use and publication of historical records.
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