What does SCAM do?
It is not simply a talking shop. SCAM meets three times a year and members have devised a rolling three year plan with targets for action, based on their own experience of the need for help and advice among their colleagues.Publications:
SCAM produced The Code of Practice on Archives for Museums and Galleries in the United Kingdom
(32 kb) - (You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file - download it here) launched at the Museums and Galleries Commission in February 2000.
Research:
A second approach was to get an idea of the possible scale of archives held in museums, to focus attention on the need for curators to seek advice, and to help them marshal resources to deal with their collections. A survey was carried out in the South West, with grant aid and support from Historical Manuscripts Commission (HMC)and the Museums and Galleries Commission, appropriately named Hidden Assets, (1995). The survey revealed that a number of museums held important collections of archives, some unknown to the HMC, which records in the National Register of Archives (NRA) details of archive holdings throughout the UK, or to the public who might need to make use of them. Specialist documentation, conservation and public access to archives presented problems for curators. SCAM is assessing ways in which the study might be followed up throughout the country, and its recommendations, for an Archival Adviser network for instance, implemented.Training and awareness:
SCAM plans to hold basic awareness and training sessions promoting the care of archives every year, in different parts of the country, with the co-operation of the three member bodies, and also of the Area Museum Councils, to enable even the smallest museum to become aware of and look after their valuable asset in archives. So far sessions have taken place at the Museums Association's conference in Portsmouth, and in London, York, Manchester and Bristol. SCAM is always looking for co-operative hosts for these sessions, and for volunteer speakers.Co-operation and discussion.
SCAM has advised on the Museums and Galleries Commission Registration Scheme, and on the Museums Documentation Association's Spectrum standards. A strong representation was made during the consultation stage on the bringing together of the Commissions on Libraries and Museums to include archives in the remit of the new council, in the interests of "joining up" - and with success. Most important is the working together, in the Conference and among colleagues, in order to dispel traditional suspicions and create examples of good practice for the benefit of both archives and the public who use them.Moving ahead.
Work continues on advice on common standards of documentation, provision of training and awareness sessions, and the search for information on the situation of archives in museums in other parts of the country. In the future, SCAM needs to make contact with those who look after archives and related material in libraries, special collections and local studies centres; to contribute to the work of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council; to respond to new directions from its parent bodies - and from all who wish improved access to archives.