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Use of collections
This document was written, and licensed for publication by the Collections Trust.
SPECTRUM defines Use of collections as:
The management and documentation of all uses of and services based on collections and objects in the organisation. These include exhibition and display, education handling collections and the operation of objects, research and enquiries, reproduction and the commercial use of objects and associated documentary archives. Users include staff (and volunteers) or the public, whether in person, by letter, telephone or any other means of communication.
The organisation must have a policy covering the use of collections.
The minimum standard for use of collections must:
- Enable the use of objects by internal and external users for such purposes as research, display and operation;
- Enable effective control of access to the collections and information associated with them;
- Enable the planning and scheduling for the use of objects;
- Ensure continuous accountability for objects and associated documentary records;
- Add significant information derived from research to the catalogue, and make important results public through publication, exhibition or other means as and when appropriate;
- Maintain a record of use and users associated with the collections;
- Ensure that details of use are accessed by a relevant object number.
Getting Started
The best place to start is with the Collections Trust's publication Documentation: a practical guide (see ' Shop' for further information).
Guidelines and Factsheets
- Documenting Photographs (Collections Trust)
SPECTRUM Standard Procedure
For the full procedure on Use of collections, download SPECTRUM from: www.collectionstrust.org.uk/spectrum.
