Museum Staff Embark On Comprehensive Collections Management Initiative

Staff at the New Brunswick Museum (NBM) have embarked on quite the task.

NBM staff have started the comprehensive collections management initiative, which is required for a facility renewal project.

“It’s a very detailed intensive process, but it’s critical because at this point where ever the museum ends up it’s critical that we know where everything is, and what state it is so that when they move into facility takes place we can do so in an orderly fashion,” said Kathryn Hamer, acting board chair, NBM.

In Saint John, NBM has collections in five locations; the Exhibition Centre at Market Square, its Collections and Research Centre at 277 Douglas Ave, and three storage facilities.

“Staff is going through all of the collections one at a time, to verify the condition of every item, to ensure its packaged appropriately for what it is, to develop safety processes, and determine environmental controls,” said Hamer.

“For storage purposes, staff will know exactly what’s where … and that detail comes right down to the nitty-gritty, every item has a number, it’s stored in a package with a number, on a shelf with a number, and in an order on that shelf with a number,” continued Hamer.

In 2018, there was a push for a new facility, however, it was stalled after the Higgs government pulled the $50 million funding.

“I think this time we can say real confidence because we’ve been told repeatedly by the government that they are committed to seeing this project go through, which means identifying funding and carrying on,” mentioned Hamer.

Hamer added the process for the collections management initiative, finding a new location, and moving into a new facility could last three to four years.