Our collection management experts can help you track and manage your collection more effectively through cataloguing and data management solutions.
Services include
- Collection cataloguing
- New acquisitions
- Cultural gift collections
- Accession labelling
- Packaging and storage
- Digital photography
Cataloguing and data management are essential for collections across libraries, museums and galleries and smaller collections.
Our team assists by cataloguing collection items, this involves capturing important data about each item including item name, description, accession number, measurements, materials, condition, security risks, and photographs of the item. The collection items can be identified with accession labelling and through effective storage management.
The benefits of cataloguing and data management include:
Efficient access and retrieval: A well-organised collection allows for quick and easy retrieval of specific items from the collection, saving time and effort when researchers, curators, or visitors are seeking particular objects or information.
Improved collection documentation: Comprehensive cataloguing enhances the documentation of each item, providing a wealth of information about its history, origin, significance, condition, and any associated stories or research.
Conservation: Detailed data management can include information about an item's conservation needs, ensuring that the necessary care and conservation efforts are applied to prolong the life of artefacts and artworks.
Security and loss prevention: Proper cataloguing helps in maintaining the security of valuable assets and reduces the risk of theft, vandalism, or loss.
Inventory control: Cataloguing provides better control over inventory, ensuring that items are not lost or misplaced, which can be especially important in large and diverse collections.
Collection growth: Efficient data management facilitates strategic decisions on collection growth, including acquisition and deaccessioning, ensuring that new items align with the institution's mission and goals.
Legal compliance: Accurate and comprehensive data management can help institutions comply with legal and ethical standards related to the acquisition, ownership, and care of items in the collection.
Contact us to discuss your collection management needs and let us provide tailored services that enhance the organisation, preservation, and accessibility of your collection.
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find the answer you're looking for?
Collections are usually collated under a Collection Management System (CMS). We would assess your current collection documentation and determine which of the CMS on offer, either cloud based or dedicated PC options, would best suit your needs. We then help in the process of data migration, often cleaning up the data in the process.
We work with a range of CMS providers and are happy to give advice on the process of choosing the system best suited to your needs. Once you've invested in your new CMS we can assist with the migration process itself.
To give advice on organisation and storage we need to physically assess your collection. All advice offered takes into account optimal temperature needs, relative humidity, light, pest activity, water ingress and protection from mould. We also offer collection monitoring where we are able to give advice and direction based off the current conditions of your collections housing.
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Passionate about conserving art and cultural heritage
Our expert team would love to help you find solutions to your conservation and heritage needs. Get in touch today.