Leadership & Management

Professional Collection Manager (PCM)

This course equips participants with the essential skills and knowledge required to effectively manage collections in various professional settings. It covers strategies for collection development, preservation, and ethical considerations, ensuring participants can enhance their management practices and decision-making in collection management.

5 days Classroom or live online English

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Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Collection managers face significant challenges in maintaining the integrity and accessibility of diverse collections while navigating budget constraints, changing technologies, and evolving user expectations. Effective collection management is crucial for ensuring that collections remain relevant and valuable to their institutions and stakeholders. Participants will learn to assess collection needs, prioritise acquisitions, and implement preservation strategies that align with institutional missions and community demographics, ultimately enhancing the overall value of their collections. Additionally, they will explore the ethical implications of their decisions, ensuring responsible stewardship of cultural and historical assets, which is vital for public trust and institutional credibility.

Participants will develop practical skills in engaging with stakeholders, utilising feedback to inform collection development, and marketing collections to enhance public interest and access. They will practice making informed decisions regarding acquisitions, deaccessions, and resource allocation, which are vital for maintaining a dynamic and responsive collection. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to create comprehensive collection management policies that integrate preservation, acquisition, and community engagement strategies, ensuring their collections are well-managed, accessible, and aligned with user needs and institutional goals.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course employs a blend of case studies, hands-on workshops, and collaborative group exercises to build participants' capabilities in collection management. Realistic scenarios will be used to simulate decision-making processes, allowing participants to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. Participants will engage in activities such as drafting acquisition proposals, developing preservation plans, and creating community engagement strategies. Outputs will include collection assessment reports, preservation plans, and comprehensive collection management policies, demonstrating their understanding and application of course concepts. This interactive approach ensures that participants leave with tangible skills and resources they can implement in their professional roles, enhancing their effectiveness as collection managers.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Analyse collection needs to inform strategic development plans for diverse collections.
Evaluate preservation techniques to enhance the longevity of various collection types.
Justify ethical considerations in collection management decisions and practices.
Design acquisition proposals based on institutional priorities and community needs.
Assess the impact of digital technologies on collection accessibility and management.
Construct a comprehensive collection management policy for a fictional institution, integrating all learned aspects.
Develop community engagement strategies to enhance collection relevance and accessibility.
Implement metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of collection management practices.

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Collection Managers seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Library and Archive Professionals responsible for collection oversight.
Cultural Heritage Managers involved in collection preservation.
Museum Curators focused on collection development and management.

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Strategic assessment of collection needs and priorities.
Implementation of preservation best practices for various collection types.
Ethical decision-making in collection management practices.
Development of acquisition and deaccession strategies based on institutional goals.
Utilisation of digital tools for effective collection management.
Collaboration with stakeholders for community engagement and feedback.

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Foundations of Collection Management

Applied activity: Participants will assess a fictional institution's collection needs based on its mission and community demographics. They will identify gaps and opportunities for development, considering ethical implications and resource constraints. This assessment will involve analysing current holdings and stakeholder feedback to inform their recommendations.

Output: A written report outlining the assessment findings and strategic recommendations for collection development.

09:00–09:54Introduction to collection management principles and practices relevant to various institutions.
09:54–10:48Understanding the role of collection managers in enhancing collection value and accessibility.
10:48–11:00Overview of different collection types and their specific management needs and challenges.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Overview of different collection types and their specific management needs and challenges. (continued)
12:12–13:06Key ethical considerations in collection management, including stewardship and community impact.
13:06–14:00The impact of institutional mission on collection strategies and decision-making processes.

Day 2Preservation Strategies for Collections

Applied activity: In small groups, participants will create a preservation plan for a specific collection type, considering environmental factors, budgetary constraints, and institutional priorities. They will present their plans to the group for feedback, ensuring that their strategies are practical and aligned with best practices in preservation.

Output: A comprehensive preservation plan document that outlines strategies and justifications.

09:00–09:54Introduction to preservation techniques for various collection types, including digital and physical items.
09:54–10:48Assessing environmental factors affecting collection integrity and developing mitigation strategies.
10:48–11:00Developing preservation plans tailored to specific collections, considering budget and resource limitations.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Developing preservation plans tailored to specific collections, considering budget and resource limitations. (continued)
12:12–13:06Implementing disaster preparedness and response strategies to protect collections from unforeseen events.
13:06–14:00Evaluating the effectiveness of preservation efforts through metrics and community feedback.

Day 3Acquisition and Deaccessioning Practices

Applied activity: Participants will draft an acquisition proposal for a fictional collection item, justifying its relevance and alignment with institutional goals. They will also outline potential deaccessioning strategies for underperforming items, considering community impact and ethical implications.

Output: A formal acquisition proposal document, including a deaccessioning strategy.

09:00–09:54Understanding the acquisition process and its importance in collection management, including sourcing and evaluation.
09:54–10:48Evaluating potential acquisitions based on institutional goals, community needs, and ethical considerations.
10:48–11:00Developing deaccessioning policies and procedures that align with institutional missions and community expectations.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Developing deaccessioning policies and procedures that align with institutional missions and community expectations. (continued)
12:12–13:06Engaging stakeholders in acquisition and deaccessioning decisions to ensure transparency and accountability.
13:06–14:00Case studies on successful acquisition and deaccessioning practices in various institutions.

Day 4Engaging Communities and Stakeholders

Applied activity: Participants will design a community engagement plan for a fictional collection, outlining strategies for outreach, collaboration, and feedback mechanisms. They will consider diverse community needs and institutional goals, ensuring their plan fosters inclusivity and accessibility.

Output: A community engagement plan document that details proposed strategies and expected outcomes.

09:00–09:54The importance of community engagement in collection management and its impact on collection relevance.
09:54–10:48Strategies for collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including community members and institutional partners.
10:48–11:00Utilising feedback to inform collection development and enhance user experience.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Utilising feedback to inform collection development and enhance user experience. (continued)
12:12–13:06Marketing collections to enhance public interest, access, and community involvement.
13:06–14:00Evaluating community impact on collection relevance and adjusting strategies accordingly.

Day 5Integrated Collection Management Practice

Applied activity: In teams, participants will create a comprehensive collection management policy for a fictional institution, integrating all aspects learned throughout the course. They will present their policies to the group for discussion and feedback, ensuring a collaborative approach to policy development.

Output: A detailed collection management policy document that reflects best practices and strategic priorities.

09:00–09:54Combining preservation, acquisition, and community engagement strategies into a cohesive management approach.
09:54–10:48Developing a comprehensive collection management policy that reflects institutional values and community needs.
10:48–11:00Evaluating the role of technology in modern collection management and its implications for accessibility.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Evaluating the role of technology in modern collection management and its implications for accessibility. (continued)
12:12–13:06Creating metrics for assessing collection management effectiveness and guiding future decisions.
13:06–14:00Future trends in collection management, including digital transformation and community-centric models.

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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