dcdc16 bruynzeel presentation: opening up archives
TRANSCRIPT
Opening Up Archives
Maximising access to university collections
University collections
Higher Education Museums, Galleries and Collections
• 400 HEMGCs in the UK
Higher Education Museums, Galleries and Collections
• 400 HEMGCs in the UK
• Of these 100 are public museums
Higher Education Museums, Galleries and Collections
• 400 HEMGCs in the UK
• Of these 100 are public museums
• In England and Wales HEMGCs make up
4% of all museums…
Higher Education Museums, Galleries and Collections
• 400 HEMGCs in the UK
• Of these 100 are public museums
• In England and Wales HEMGCs make up
4% of all museums…
• … But account for 30% of designated
collections of national and international
importance
*Figures from University Museums Group and Nick Merriman ‘The Current State of Higher Education Museums, Galleries and Collections in the UK’, 2001
What do you store?
Important
Alloy axe heads, Pitt Rivers Museum
What do you store?
Important … not so important
Alloy axe heads, Pitt Rivers Museum ‘Gifted’ from university staff, alumni etc
eg multiple GP bags from alumni
Opening Up Collections
0.01% of British Museum’s collection is on display at any one time
Opening Up Collections Digitization
0.01% of British Museum’s collection is on display at any one time
Opening Up Collections Digitization
Physical Access
0.01% of British Museum’s collection is on display at any one time
Opening Up Collections Digitization
Physical Access
0.01% of British Museum’s collection is on display at any one time
• Safe Storage for Conservation and Preservation
• Retrieval – On Site, Faster, Open Access
• Geographic Location
• Increased importance of Special Collections vs. digital subscriptions
Physical Access
Case Studies 1. Community Gateway
2. Nationally Significant Collection
3. Collections Study Centre
1. Community
Gateway
Heritage Quay
Gesture Technology Electronic mobile shelving
Outcomes
• Formed a vital bridge between campus and community
• Transformed archive into a regionally significant heritage destination
• 12,500 visitors in two years
• Consolidated 9 leaking, mould-infested repositories into one site
• Fit for purpose - received Archive Service accreditation
• Won a slew of awards including 2016 Guardian University Award for inspirational building, Times Higher Education Outstanding Library team award 2016
Sarah Wickham
“A lot of the money and effort was spent on
constructing the facility, which has enabled
us to do all the other good stuff.
We are more relevant to more people - on
and off campus - than ever before.”
Archives and Collections Manager
2. Nationally
Significant
Collection
Lapworth Museum of Geology
Improved Gallery Space Open Storage Repository
Outcomes
Outcomes
• New gallery spaces
• Dedicated education
room
• New archive
respository on site,
providing home for
250,000 specimens
• Visible storage solution
to allow public access
to collections
3. Collections
Study Centre
The Hunterian at Kelvin Hall
Iconic City Location Storage for 1m objects
Outcomes
• City centre location raises profile of University of Glasgow as a research hub
• Increased object-based research, teaching and learning
• Brings study spaces in close proximity to collection
• Shared space for collaboration between collections and teaching staff
• Purpose built repository optimises conservation, maximises storage, improves access and speeds up retrieval times
Last Word
“If I was to give one piece of advice, it would
be look at how you add value. We’re seeing
benefits across all the faculties: marketing
and events management students and
engineers are benefiting from the archive. In
a sentence, be really thoughtful and vocal
about where you can add value – it may not
be in the most obvious place.”
Sarah Wickham, Archives and Collections Manager
