Our Services

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At the Heritage Collections Care Consortium, we provide practical expertise and tailored support to museums, libraries, archives, and historic houses, with a focus on preserving and safeguarding movable heritage collections.

 

We offer advice, training, and professional support in the following areas:

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1. Collections Care Strategy and Policy Development

 

Developing collections care strategies

We work with organisations to design effective, evidence-based strategies that support decision-making, prioritisation, and problem-solving across all aspects of collections care.

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Developing collections management, collections care, and conservation policies and procedures

We develop clear, practical, and compliant policies and SOPs that strengthen organisational practice, establish standards, and guide staff in caring for collections.

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Long-term collections care planning

We create flexible and realistic care plans that include budgeting, staffing, resource allocation, and structured processes for continuous review and improvement.

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Fundraising support for conservation and collections care

We provide the evidence needed to strengthen funding applications. Our surveys, condition assessments, and strategic reports help justify investment in treatment, preventive conservation, storage upgrades, and long-term preservation.

 

2. Managing Collections Care Projects

 

We provide expert planning, coordination, and support for a wide range of major collections care projects, including:

 

Capital collections care projects

Large, high-investment projects involving significant upgrades to storage, infrastructure, or preservation systems.

 

Building redevelopment projects affecting collections

Construction or refurbishment projects requiring the decanting, movement, protection, and safeguarding of collections throughout redevelopment.

 

Disaster recovery and salvage projects

Coordinated response and stabilisation of collections affected by water, mould, fire, or seismic events, ensuring safe recovery and long-term preservation.

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Collections care surveys (condition, risk, or preservation surveys)

Comprehensive assessments that identify collection needs, vulnerabilities, and priorities, providing a robust evidence base for strategic planning.

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Reorganising stores and re-housing projects

Large-scale projects that reduce preservation risks and improve accessibility by reorganising storage areas and rehousing collections into conservation-grade materials.

 

3. Managing Risks to Collections

 

We assess and mitigate risks using the ABC methodology developed by the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) and ICCROM with international partners.

Our work integrates:

• comprehensive collection risk assessments

• organisational risk considerations (reputational risks, health and safety, resources)

• targeted preventive conservation strategies to reduce both the likelihood and impact of damage to collections.

 

4. Emergency Management for Collections

 

We support institutions in preparing for and responding to emergencies through:

• development and review of emergency plans

• readiness assessments

• tabletop exercises (TTE)

• practical salvage training

• specialised emergency response guidance

 

Our focus is on equipping staff with the skills, confidence, and tools needed to protect heritage collections during disasters.

 

5. Preventive Conservation

We provide practical, sustainable preventive conservation advice tailored to your organisation, including:

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• environmental control and monitoring

• safe storage and housing solutions

• handling and movement procedures

• IPM and pest mitigation

• housekeeping and cleaning protocols

 

6. Training and Professional Development

 

We also provide specialist training in:

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• Managing collections care projects

• Risk management (ABC methodology)

• Emergency management for collections

• Practical salvage

• Preventive conservation practices

 

Training is available online, on-site, or fully tailored to your organisation’s needs.

​Learn more about our training programmes here.

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Membership

If your organisation requires ongoing support, you can become a member of the Consortium and gain access to continuous guidance, tailored advice, and priority assistance.
 

Learn more about membership here.

Consultation

To discuss your needs or request specialist support in collections care,
contact us here.

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