Additional Resources

There is a wealth of resources available to for the various topics addressed in a collections management policy, and we have compiled a few here to help you answer any questions you may have as you work through each section. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and encourage you to pursue additional research as needed.

general resources

The CMPToolkit

  • CMPToolkit Glossary: A quick reference guide of key terms and resources you used throughout the questionnaire.
  • Sample Policy: Preview an example of a complete Collections Management Policy created with the CMPToolkit

Books

  • Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA) International. Sample Forms for Records Management & Archival Programs. ARMA International, 2002.
  • Behrnd-Klodt, Menzi L. Navigating Legal Issues in Archives. Chicago, IL: Society of American Archivists, 2008.
  • Buck, Rebecca A. and Jean Allman Gilmore. Collections Conundrums:  Solving Collections Management Mysteries. Washington, DC: American Alliance of Museums, 2007.
  • Malaro, Marie and Ildiko DeAngelis. A Legal Primer on Managing Museum Collections. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books. 2012.
  • Merritt, Elizabeth E., ed. National Standards & Best Practices for U. S. Museums. Washington, DC: American Alliance of Museums Press, 2008.
  • Reibel, Daniel B. Registration Methods for the Small Museum. 5th Edition. Washington, DC: American Alliance of Museums, 2017.
  • Simmons, John E. Things Great and Small: Collections Management Policies. 2nd Edition. Washington DC: American Alliance of Museums, 2018.
  • Simmons, John E. and Toni M. Kiser, eds. Museum Registration Methods. 6th Edition. Lanham, Maryland: American Alliance of Museums Press, 2020.

Online Resources

The following websites offer a wide range of technical bulletins, recordings, and other resources that you may find useful for writing your collections management policy:

Resources by Policy Section

Acquisitions, Accessions, Deaccessions, & Disposal

Loans

Documentation

Collections Care

Insurance & Risk Management

Insurance

Emergency Preparedness

Security

Fire

Access & Use

Intellectual Property

Professional Organizations

Throughout the Toolkit, we refer to various professional organizations for collecting organizations. We have compiled a list of these organizations here. Many of these organizations offer a range of resources you may find useful for writing your collections management policy.