Consultation Responses
As the lead organisation on information management for UK museums, the Collections Trust is committed to ensuring that documentation and knowledge management are recognised in the development of National policy.
We are actively working with the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), Museums Association and others to ensure that the benefits and impact of documentation are widely understood. We have also contributed responses to a number of key consultations in the museums sector.
The full text of Collections Trust consultation responses will be posted on these pages when they become available.
Renaissance Review Consultation
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has issued a call requesting written responses to the ongoing review of Renaissance in the Regions.
The Collections Trust response focuses on the achievements of Renaissance, and makes a number of suggestions for how these challenges may be better met in the future. The response was developed in consultation with Collections Trust staff, Board members and other key stakeholders.
Collections Trust response to the Renaissance Review Consultation 
Lords Inquiry into Science and Heritage
The Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology set up a sub-committee, chaired by Baroness Sharp of Guildford, to examine Science and Heritage.
The inquiry looked at the use of science in monitoring the condition of buildings and objects of cultural importance, at the application of scientific and engineering techniques to conservation, and at the ways science and technology can enhance public understanding of and access to cultural objects.
Full details of the Inquiry are available online at:
http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/lords_s_t_select/heritage.cfm
MDA provided a response to the call for evidence which focuses on the ability of ICT to support the management and publication of knowledge about museum objects. This approach is driven by MDA's Vision of a sector in which collections are managed effectively and in accordance with national standards to create inspiring, accessible and engaging services for users.
MDA's response to the Science and Heritage Inquiry Call for Evidence
DCMS Consultation - Museums and 21st Century Life
In January 2005, DCMS published Understanding the Future - Museums and 21st Century Life, a wide-ranging consultation document for the museums and heritage sector. Although consultation has now closed, further information can be found on the DCMS website.
MDA was pleased to submit a response to the consultation on behalf of the documentation community. Of particular note is the fact that information and knowledge management are relevant across the whole range of collections management activity, and we were able to make constructive suggestions in relation to diverse areas including education and research.
MDA's response to Understanding the Future - Museums and 21st Century Life
MDA was also invited to feed into Towards a National Museum Strategy, the response from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).
Collections for the Future
Over the past 12 months, the Museums Association has consulted widely within the museum and heritage sector to address the issues facing collections as museums continue to evolve. This is a critical area of interest for MDA, and we are pleased to have been recognised in the final report Collections for the Future.
The report states that: The MA will work with the MDA, the MLA and others to develop clear and realistic recommendations about the future direction of documentation and knowledge management.
