Objectives of the visual inventory

The objectives of the inventory are:

• To enable a comprehensive overview of the Visual and Material Culture collection

• Ensure that at least minimal collections and locations metadata are captured for each storage location in line with SPECTRUM 5.0

• Create a baseline practical tool for prioritising future collections management and collections care actions, including cataloguing, conservation and digitisation.

• To widen and enhance knowledge of the collection amongst staff and external users

• To know what is missing or misplaced

• To reconcile what has been catalogued and what is outstanding

• To update, enhance and correct existing records.

The Spectrum 5.0 standard for inventory

The core information for each object or groups of objects, according to Spectrum 5.0 is:

• A unique object number (from which it should be clear whether the object is from your accessioned collections, on loan, or has some other status such as a handling item) – Object number.

• An object name – Object name.

• The number of objects (if a group) – Number of objects.

• A brief description (or image) – Brief description.

• The current location – Current location.

• If not your museum, a record of who owns the object – Current owner (and, if your museum does own it, a record of where it came from).

• A note of who recorded this information and when – Recorder and Recording date.

For more information on how to comply with Spectrum procedures please visit: https://collectionstrust.org.uk/resource/inventory-suggested-procedure/