Online Course: Collections Management

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This eight week course will introduce participants to the professional principles and practices in the management of museum collections. Topics will include collections development, registration and record keeping with an emphasis on the development of Collection Policies and Procedures and what it means to be intellectually and physically responsible for museum objects.

After completing this course, participants will understand principles and best practices of collections management, and will have completed the following:

  • Developed a detailed draft of a Collections Policy
  • Developed or identified a collection of objects
  • Developed a standardized set of registration records and forms: inventory, catalog, accession, loans
  • Learned about various registration numbering systems and how to mark objects appropriately
  • Discussed issues related to collecting strategies, mission, purpose and scope of collections
  • Developed a broader understanding of legal and ethical concerns of managing collections
  • Used computerized collection management software

Who Should Attend:

This course is a beginning level course designed for professional staff and volunteers of historical organizations and libraries with historical collections who have little to no experience with collections management. This course requires participants have access to museum collections to successfully complete this course, either as a staff member, volunteer, or intern.