Museums & Archive
Museums & Archive Content
Collections of diverse objects such as books, coins, vintage cars, boats and farm machinery provide a link with our past. The preservation of such collections is an important part our Museums and Archive work.
Standards
Agreed Minimum Standards in All Categories
The list of standards is outlined below with an indication of whether each relates to interim or full accreditation. Further information is available on each standard by clicking on the relevant heading.
Please note that the numbering of guidelines below corresponds to the relevant sections of the accreditation application form.
The contents of the Standards document are as follows:
A. Management
1. Constitution and policies
- Mission Statement
[1.1] [INTERIM] - Collection Policy
[1.5] [INTERIM] - Disposal Policy
[1.6] [INTERIM] - Loan Policy
[1.7] [FULL]
2. Museum management
- Building Ownership and/or Lease Agreements
[2.1] [INTERIM] - Formal Written Agreement if Collection is owned and managed by two Organisations
[2.2][INTERIM] - Strategic Management Plan and 1-Year Implementation Plan
[2.3] [INTERIM] - Financial Plan/Procedures and Estimates
[2.6] [INTERIM] - Audited Accounts/Certified Statement of Accounts
[2.7] [INTERIM]
B. Collections Management
3. Caring for the collection
- Evidence of Monitoring and Controlling the Museum Environment
[3.1 & 3.2] [INTERIM] - Safeguarding the Condition of the Collection
[3.4, 3.7, 3.8, 3.10 & 3.11] [INTERIM] - Training in Care of Collections
[3.13, 3.14 & 3.15] ] [INTERIM] - Disaster Response Procedures
[3.18] [INTERIM] - Disaster Plan
[3.19] [FULL] - Care of Collections Strategy
[3.20] [FULL]
4. Documenting the collection
- Entry Record System
[4.1] [INTERIM] - Exit Records
[4.2] [INTERIM] - Object Location and Movement Control
[4.3] [INTERIM] - Accessions Register and Secure Copy
[4.5, 4.6 & 4.7] [INTERIM] - Plan for Documentation Backlog
[4.9] [FULL] - Loan Agreements and Records
[4.10, 4.11 & 4.12] [FULL] - Catalogue
[4.13] [FULL]
C. Public Services
Exhibition refers to both 'Long-term Displays from the Museum's Collection and Temporary Exhibitions'.
5. Exhibition (Long Term and Temporary)
- Consistent Approach to Labelling
[5.1] [INTERIM] - Budget for Exhibitions
[5.2] [INTERIM] - Maintenance Schedule
[5.3] [INTERIM] - Visitor Survey and Evaluation of Exhibitions
[5.4] [FULL] - Exhibition Policy
[5.5] [FULL]
6. Education
- Outline of Education Activities/Programmes
[6.1] [INTERIM] - Education Policy
[6.6] [FULL]
7. Visitor care and access
- Receipting System if Admission Charged
[7.2] [INTERIM] - Clear External Signage with opening hours displayed
[7.3] [INTERIM] - Telephone with Answering Service
[7.4] [INTERIM] - Toilet
[7.4] [INTERIM] - Visitor Statistics
[7.7 & 7.8] [INTERIM]
Click to visit our publications section and download a PDF version of the Standards.
HERITAGE IN YOUR AREA
Select your county from the drop-down list below for more information about heritage projects in your area.
MUSEUMS & ARCHIVE EVENTS
Heritage as an Engine of Economic Growth - Galway Agenda Announced
The agenda for the inaugural workshop of this series is now available. The workshop will take place on Saturday, 3rd March 2012 at NUI, Galway.
more events
MUSEUMS & ARCHIVE PUBLICATIONS
A Policy Framework for the Irish Museum Sector
The Heritage Council is currently developing a Standards and Accreditation Scheme for the Irish museum sector. The aim of this scheme is to assess quality assurance in our collecting institutions. Run by the Museums and Archives...