Standards and guidance for museums

Institutions borrowing items from our collections must be able to demonstrate they can meet national standards in relation to the care, interpretation and protection of museum collections.

Similarly, National Museums Scotland is committed to improving the facilitation of loans to non-national museums as per the guidelines and standards issued by the National Museum Directors' Conference.

Self assessment of standards

The UK Registrars Group website provides links to self assessment toolkits that can inform the lender and the borrower of current standards and the need for any improvements:

• Courier Guidelines
• Standard Facilities Report
• Facilities - Security supplements
• Facilities - Display Case supplement

Improving standards

Where borrowing institutions need to improve standards, the following links and examples from Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) may help to plan for improvements and the funding of these.

• MLA Security guidance and specifications
• MGS Object Loans Guidance
• MGS Grant Aid Guidance (for MGS members)
• MGS Fundraising Guidance

If you have any questions please contact our Loans Managers: