STATES OF GUERNSEY HERITAGE COMMITTEE
This document is a revision of the previous edition, issued under the aegis of the Ancient Monuments Committee in July 1992. The Committee changed its name to the Heritage Committee in order to indicate more accurately the breadth of its remit in 1993.
Definitions:
· The ‘Authority’ (The Governing Body) is The States of Guernsey Heritage Committee.
· The ‘Service’ is Guernsey Museums & Galleries.
· The MGC is the Museums & Galleries Commission
Approval:
· The Policy Statement of Aims shall be examined and revised as necessary at least once every five years, and approved by the States of Guernsey Heritage Committee. Approval of this document to be signed and dated at the end by the President of that Committee or his representative approved by the Committee.
Renewal:
· This Policy is due for review in January 2005.
Note:
· Paragraphs headed with an underlined number or letter such as Definitions or 5.4 are minimum mandatory statements required by the Museums & Galleries Commission for Registration purposes.
Mission Statement:
· Guernsey Museums & Galleries provide a professionally accredited museum service for the States of Guernsey. The service collects, conserves and interprets material evidence and its associated information relating to the history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, for the benefit of islanders, visitors and other interested parties.
1. GENERAL
1.1 The Heritage Committee as the Museum Authority is responsible for the management and development of the Museums Service. This includes all museum and art gallery services of the States of Guernsey. The Committee is dependent upon the States of Guernsey for its core Revenue and Capital funding. In addition, the Service is financially supported by income from its site admission fees and profits from its retail outlets. The Wilfred Carey Purchase Fund, established in 1990, is the main purchase fund for objects for the Service.
1.2 The Service includes Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery in Candie Gardens; Castle Cornet and its museums (the History of Castle Cornet in the Lower Barracks, [formerly the Main Guard], the 201 Squadron Museum, Militia and Armoury Museums, the Maritime Museum and Hatton Gallery); Fort Grey Museum of West Coast Shipwrecks; and the Museum Services Department in St John Street.
1.3 The Authority is responsible for the management of approximately seventy Historic Sites and Monuments. In 1999 an Historic Sites Manager was appointed to ensure that appropriate care for these sites was exercised. The Historic Sites Manager reports, through the Director of Museums, to an Historic Sites Management Group chaired by the Authority’s Chief Executive.
1.4 The Service aims to inform, educate and entertain members of the public through its exhibition and education services.
1.5 The Service recognises and accepts its commitment to the collection, preservation, research and interpretation of original evidence of the past and present local environment and culture, together with its associated information for the benefit of the general public, students and scholars.
1.6 The Service aims to develop the various collections by means of donations, bequests, loans, field collection and purchase, as appropriate, in accordance with the Authority’s Acquisition and Disposal Policy contained in this Policy Statement (sections 3, 4 and 5) and as reviewed from time to time.
1.7 The Service is responsible for all items committed to its care whether permanently or temporarily, and takes all reasonable steps to ensure their security and conservation. A prioritised and costed object conservation programme should be established during the lifetime of this Statement.
1.8 The Service will maintain professionally accredited documentation relating to the objects in its collections. Such documentation will comply with the UK Museum Documentation Standard known as SPECTRUM. Since 1989 the museum has been committed to the use of I.T. for object documentation using the MODES program. The service will continue to support the use of the MODES program for this purpose, while maintaining awareness of other software solutions, particularly in the wider area of collections management.
1.9 The Authority has adopted the Museums Association ‘Code of Practice for Museum Authorities’, save that in all legal matters the provisions of Guernsey Law will be followed. The Museums Service has achieved Registered Museum Status under the Museums & Galleries Commission Scheme.
2. HISTORY
2.1 The present collections have resulted from the amalgamation of four separate museums as follows:
The Lukis Museum, bequeathed to the States of Guernsey in 1909, containing both local and foreign archaeological and geological material with some biological specimens;
The Candie Museum, opened in 1930 but merged with the Lukis Museum in 1938, containing, in particular the Wilfred Carey collection of European paintings and ceramics, and oriental ceramics;
The Castle Cornet Museums, containing military and maritime material;
The Guille-Allès Museum, 1978, containing both local and foreign biological, geological and archaeological material, ethnographic material, numismatics and some local history material, now on long-term loan to the Authority.
The collections, therefore, include a proportion of items that have little connection with the island other than having been collected by islanders. It is recognised, however, that these objects have important historical value in their own right and it is thus the Authority’s policy to retain them.
3. ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL OF MATERIAL – GENERAL POLICY
3.1 The purpose of this Policy is to comply with the requirements of the Museums & Galleries Commission (MGC) Registration Scheme concerning the Acquisition and Disposal of collections and to encourage public confidence in the museum as a suitable repository. The Authority endorses the Phase 2 Registration Guidelines of the Museums & Galleries Commission Registration Scheme (revised 1994). It will from time to time publish a written statement of the Acquisition and Disposal Policy, to be reviewed at least once every five years.
3.2 The Policy defines the present state and use of the collections and reviews the current policy of acquisition and disposal. It ensures material is accepted according to a recognised strategy and serves as a reference document to guide curatorial and management decisions.
3.3 The Policy identifies the resources available to maintain the present and future collections and seeks to ensure more efficient use of these resources.
3.4 The Policy establishes relationships with other museum bodies in the area with regard to acquisition of material for the collection.
3.5 The Authority will actively collect material from or relating to the Bailiwick of Guernsey. (This policy excludes the island of Alderney for as long as the Alderney Society Museum performs this function for that Island).
3.6 The Authority’s acquisition policy relating to non-local collections is passive. Donations or loans that fill gaps in the existing collections may be accepted, but purchases are unlikely to be made.
3.7 The acquisition of material into the museum collections imposes certain clearly-defined legal and moral obligations upon the Authority. This includes title and duty of care. The Authority through its officers fulfils a purely custodial role in respect of collections that are in public ownership.
3.8 The Authority supports the principle of the UNESCO ‘Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property’ 1970, and will comply with the spirit and ethical principles of the convention.
3.9 The Service will continue to rely heavily on the generosity of private individuals and charitable sources to strengthen its collections. Wherever possible, the Authority through its Museums Service will seek to acquire material as donations, bequests or loans for specific periods.
3.10 The acceptance of material on long-term loan for unspecified periods and, in particular the use of the term ‘Permanent Loan’ will not be countenanced. Items previously accepted on a ‘long-term’ basis (as described on accession) will be renegotiated with owners (where possible) to provide a termination date. Where the significance of the offered material warrants long-term retention, a regular and periodic review of the arrangement will be made to include an option to terminate or extend the loan by mutual agreement. Specifically-defined short-term loans will only be accepted for temporary exhibitions.
4. ACQUISITION PROCEDURES
4.1 The museum will not acquire, whether by purchase, gift, bequest or exchange, any object or specimen unless the governing body or responsible officer is satisfied that the museum can acquire a valid title to the item in question, and that in particular it has not been acquired in, or exported from, its country of origin (or any intermediate country in which it may have been legally owned) in violation of that country’s laws. (For the purposes of this paragraph ‘country of origin’ includes the United Kingdom).
4.2 So far as biological and geological material is concerned, the museum will not acquire by any direct or indirect means any specimen that has been collected, sold or otherwise transferred in contravention of any national or international wildlife protection or natural history conservation law or treaty of the United Kingdom or any other country, except with the express consent of an appropriate outside authority (e.g a British court in the case of a specimen seized from a third party under the Protection of Birds Acts).
4.3 So far as British or foreign archaeological antiquities (including excavated ceramics) are concerned, in addition to the safeguards under sub-paragraph 4.1 above, the museum will not acquire objects in any case where the governing body or responsible officer has reasonable cause to believe that the circumstances of their recovery involved the recent unscientific or intentional destruction or damage of ancient monuments or other known archaeological sites, or involved a failure to disclose finds to the owner or occupier of the land, or to the proper authorities in the case of possible Treasure Trove (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or Bona Vacantia (Scotland).
5. DISPOSAL PROCEDURES
5.1 By definition, the museum has a long-term purpose and should possess (or intend to acquire) permanent collections in relation to its stated objectives. The governing body accepts the principle that there is a strong presumption against the disposal of any items in the museum’s collection except as set out below.
5.2 In those cases where the museum is legally free to dispose of an item (if this is in doubt, advice will be sought) it is agreed that any decision to sell or otherwise dispose of material from the collections will be taken only after due consideration. Decisions to dispose of items will not be made with the principle aim of generating funds. Once a decision to dispose of an item has been taken, priority will be given to retaining the item within the public domain and with this in view it will be offered first, by exchange, gift or sale to Registered museums before disposal to other interested individuals or organisations is considered.
5.3 In cases in which an arrangement for the exchange, gift or sale of material is not being made with an individual Registered museum, the museum community at large will be advised of the intention to dispose of material. This will normally be through an announcement in the Museum Association’s Museums Journal and other professional journals as appropriate. The announcement will indicate the number and nature of specimens or objects involved, and the basis on which the material will be transferred to another institution. A period of at least two months will be allowed for an interest in acquiring the material to be expressed.
5.4 A decision to dispose of a specimen or object, whether by exchange, sale or gift or destruction (in the case of an item too badly damaged or deteriorated to be of any use for the purposes of the collections), will be the responsibility of the governing body of the museum acting on the advice of professional curatorial staff, if any, and not of the curator of the collection acting alone. Full records will be kept of all such decisions and the items involved and proper arrangements made for the preservation and/or transfer, as appropriate, of the documentation relating to the items concerned, including photographic records where practicable.
5.5 Any monies received by the museum governing body from the disposal of items will be applied for the benefit of the collections. This normally means the purchase of further acquisitions but in exceptional cases improvements relating to the care of collections may be justifiable. Advice on these cases will be sought from the MGC.
5.6 Human Remains. The Museum’s governing body, acting on the advice of the museum’s professional staff, if any, may take a decision to return human remains, objects or specimens to a country or people of origin. The museum will take such decisions on a case by case basis, within its legal position and taking into account all ethical implications. Under such circumstances it is recognised and accepted that it would be inappropriate to apply the procedure outlined in paragraphs 5.2, 5.3 and 5.5 above.
5.7 Management of Archives. This paragraph should be read in conjunction with paragraph 10.3 ‘Archives’. As the museum holds archive material, including photographs and printed ephemera, its governing body will be guided on matters relating to disposal by the Code of Practice on Archives for Museums in the United Kingdom (1996). The Museum will also aim to meet the standards outlined in the Royal Commission on Historic Manuscripts Standards for Record Repositories (1990).
5.8 Grants from external funding bodies. Where a museum object has been acquired with the aid of an external funding organisation, permission from that organisation will need to be sought before the object is deaccessioned or transferred to another museum. If the object is sold, repayment of the original grant may be required.
6. LIMITATIONS ON COLLECTING
The museum recognises its responsibility, in acquiring material, to ensure adequate conservation, documentation and proper use of such material and takes into account limitations on collecting imposed by such factors as inadequate staffing, storage and conservation resources.
7. OTHER MUSEUMS
The museum will take due account of the collecting policies of other museums collecting in the same or related areas or subject fields, and will consult with such organisations where conflicts of interest may arise or to define areas of specialisms, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication and waste of resources.
8. REVIEW PROCEDURE
8.1 The Acquisition and Disposal Policy will be published and reviewed from time to time, at least once every five years. The date when the policy is next due for review is noted at the beginning of this document. The MGC will be notified of any changes to the Acquisition & Disposal Policy, and the implications of any such changes for the future of existing collections.
9. ACQUISITIONS NOT COVERED BY THE POLICY
9.1 Acquisitions outside the current stated policy will only be made in very exceptional circumstances, and then only after proper consideration by the governing body of the museum itself, having regard to the interests of other museums.
10. SPECIFIC DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT
10.1 ARCHAEOLOGY (Land)
10.1.1 The Service holds important collections of archaeological material relating to Guernsey, Herm, Alderney and Sark, based largely on the collections of the Lukis family in the last century. The prehistoric collections, including recent research material, are particularly comprehensive. A systematic programme of research and rescue excavation since the early 1980’s has added greatly to the Roman, Medieval and Post-Medieval collections.
10.1.2 The Service collects archaeological material in the islands of Guernsey, Herm and Lihou. It recognises its responsibilities within the Bailiwick of Guernsey as a whole and regularly gives archaeological advice and/or assistance to the islands of Sark and Alderney.
10.1.3 Material will generally be acquired from properly controlled archaeological excavations and surveys by museum officers or other reputable and properly constituted archaeological organisations recognised by the service. The Authority has since 1975 pursued an active policy of excavation with a view to increasing knowledge of the prehistory and early history of the island and of acquiring material from these periods for the museum. Where the site being excavated is not a scheduled monument or an area not under States of Guernsey ownership, an agreement with the landowner will be negotiated before the start of an excavation concerning the eventual storage and preservation of the finds and related archive.
10.1.4 The Museum Archaeology Officer is supported by an archaeological research team of volunteers – the Guernsey Museum Research and Rescue Group. The Group is encouraged by the Authority to undertake rescue work on sites that are threatened by building development or other factors such as coastal erosion.
10.1.5 Casual archaeological finds and private or historic collections will be acquired by agreement or purchase (but see paragraph 4.3).
10.1.6 The collections of non-local archaeological material are worldwide in scope and form an important comparative reference source. Material that fills gaps in the relevant French and British collections will be acquired if possible
10.1.7 Archaeological Services. The Museum Archaeology Officer advises the Island Development Committee through the Conservation and Design Manager, of any planning applications that have archaeological implications, especially those in areas where it is known there are archaeological remains. The Museum Archaeology Officer also advises the Heritage Committee on matters relating to scheduled monuments and buildings.
10.1.8 Restoration and Preservation of Sites. Where an excavation has taken place on an archaeological site and structural remains are uncovered of interest to the public, the Archaeology Officer may, subject to appropriate permissions, institute and manage a programme of interpretation, restoration and consolidation. The Officer will ensure that appropriate materials are used and sites are made safe for the public to enjoy.
10.2 ARCHAEOLOGY (Maritime)
10.2.1 Under The Wreck and Salvage (Vessels and Aircraft) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 1986, the Authority is responsible for all historic wreck. The Authority has established a Committee (the Historic Wreck Advisory Committee) comprised of eminent academics, to advise it on these matters.
10.2.2 Local diving groups (such as Guernsey Nautical Archaeology Team) are encouraged to monitor the waters around Castle Cornet and especially wrecks in St Peter Port harbour. Programmes of rescue work will be instituted as necessary, such as that undertaken by Southampton University, and necessitated by new disturbance of sediments on the harbour floor in the late 1990s.
10.2.3 The Authority has liaised with the Guernsey Maritime Trust over the care and conservation of the 3rd century Gallo-Roman vessel recovered in 1985 from St Peter Port harbour by the Trust in 1985 from St Peter Port harbour. The Authority took formal responsibility for the care and conservation of the timbers in January 1999, and will monitor the conservation process. The Authority has also taken into its care the remaining objects relating to the wreck.
10.2.4 The Receiver of Wreck (Board of Administration) advises the Authority of all Historic Wreck items declared to him and most objects so recovered are placed in the care of the Service.
10.2.5 The Authority prepares advisory literature on matters relating to Historic Wreck that is available to local and visiting divers. It undertakes to review and revise this literature as necessary.
10. 3 ARCHIVES
10.3.1 In addition to documentary material relating directly to the museum collections, the Service has a collection of documents and paper ephemera.
10.3.2 The Authority is also responsible for the Archives Service of the States of Guernsey. Guernsey’s archives are under the care of the Island Archivist. Close co-operation between the Museum and Archives Services will be maintained, to ensure that they complement rather than compete with each other in areas of common interest. This may involve the physical transfer of collected material between the two services. This will only be pursued if there is mutually agreed benefit and the professional standards of neither service are compromised.
10.4 ART (FINE)
10.4.1 The collection contains topographical paintings and prints including a good selection by local artists. It includes the most important holdings of work by Peter Le Lievre, William Caparne and Joshua Gosselin. The Service will continue to acquire works by local and visiting artists.
10.4.2 The selective acquisition of contemporary and three-dimensional work, recognised weak areas of the collection, will continue.
10.4.3 The selective acquisition of portraits of notable islanders, or individuals with strong Guernsey connections will continue.
10.5 ART (APPLIED)
10.5.1 Ceramics. The collection, which is not representative, is comprised of oriental, English and continental pieces. The oriental material is the most comprehensive. The Authority may in the future consider acquiring suitable material to fill gaps in the collection.
10.5.2 Numismatics. The collection is reasonably comprehensive and includes Guernsey, British and European coins. Since 1971 mint examples of each new coin and note issue have been passed to the museum by the States Treasurer. In the past, these have been recorded as donations in the museum’s documentation. An agreement with the States Treasurer in 1996 allows the deposit of such coins for a fixed term loan of 21 years. This may be re-negotiated on expiry of that term. It is expected that the loan status of coins previously deposited by the States Treasurer will be similarly defined during the life of this document.
10.5.3 Philately. The Service holds a complete collection of postage stamps issued since the independence of the Guernsey Post Office in 1969 and holds on loan, from the Post Office Board, the artwork for many of these stamps.
10.5.4 Wood and Metalwork. New acquisitions may be considered only if they have a close connection with existing items in the collection, or a special relevance to Guernsey.
10.5.5 Silver and Pewter. The museum collection is far from representative, and several known Guernsey makers are not included. Active collecting will continue as opportunity arises. Non-local silver with strong Guernsey connections will also be acquired. The Woolmer Collection of Channel Island pewter, previously on loan to the Authority, was returned to its owner in 1998. Selective acquisitions will continue.
10.6 ETHNOGRAPHY
10.6.1 The collection includes important early ethnographic material from the North West Pacific, Oceania, the Far East and India. No active acquisition is envisaged in this area.
10.7 INDUSTRIAL HISTORY
10.7.1 Industrial Equipment. Important items of machinery, vehicles and other equipment have been acquired for preservation with the objective of eventually establishing an Industrial Museum. Collecting will continue on a selective basis, within the limits of available storage space and staff resources.
10.8 MARITIME HISTORY
10.8.1 The Service has a particular interest in this area as Fort Grey and the Maritime Museum in Castle Cornet demonstrate, and has built up a representative collection. The existing collections include paintings, engravings, wool pictures, photographs and models of local ships or ships that have served the island, nautical instruments, shipwrights’ tools, uniforms and documents. The Service will continue to pursue an active, but selective acquisition policy.
10.9 MILITARY HISTORY
10.9.1 Royal Guernsey Militia. The Authority holds the Museum collection of the Royal Guernsey Militia. It also has the Spencer Collection, the most important known single holding of uniforms and insignia relating to the Royal Guernsey Militia. The Service will continue actively to acquire material relating to the Guernsey Militia and the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry.
10.9.2 Service Elsewhere. Guernseymen have served (and continue to serve) with distinction in all the Armed Services providing important examples of interaction outside the Island’s limits. Some individuals are represented in the collections and active collecting will be pursued in this area.
10.9.3 Medals. The Service collects all types of medals awarded to Islanders together with related material. Special efforts to collect post 1945 campaign medals and civilian decorations will be made.
10.9.4 Shooting Trophies. The collection reflects the tradition of marksmanship on the Island originally fostered by the Militia and which continues to the present. Collecting will continue, with the emphasis on the acquisition of post World War II awards.
10.9.5 Arms and Armour. The collection of military firearms and edged weapons is comprehensive and includes items loaned by the Royal Armouries. The Service will continue to acquire material in this area to fill gaps in the collection within the period covered by the military occupation of Castle Cornet, that is, mid 13th century to 1945, or material with local connections. The Service will also seek to acquire cannon and guns to replace those removed by the Germans during the Occupation.
A small representative collection of sporting weapons with local connections is also held and will be augmented when suitable items become available.
10.9.6 Occupation History. The Service has a small collection of Occupation material. It will continue to acquire material in this area to represent the period.
The Service recognises the existence of the German Occupation Museum and will not attempt to collect beyond that which is a fair representation of the period. Nevertheless, it recognises that museums in private hands are not subject to the Codes of Practice regarding acquisition and disposal of objects that apply to museums with Registered status and would reserve the right to continue to collect broadly, if not intensively in this area.
10.10 NATURAL SCIENCE
10.10.1 The extensive collections include local and foreign botanical, geological and zoological material. Before 1986 the Authority commissioned specialist reports and employed some temporary specialised assistance to assess and re-organise these collections. Since 1986 a Natural History Officer has been employed and this has enabled some improvements to be made to the physical arrangement, documentation, care, status and use of the collections.
10.10.2 Environmental Recording. In accordance with the previous edition of this policy, the Authority remains committed to the concept of contributing the data inherent in the collections to a properly-constituted biological and geological records centre for the island. However, it is now recognised that such a venture, although highly desirable, would be a significant service expansion, which could not be achieved with the existing level of staff. Furthermore, the operation of any such record centre would be greatly enhanced, were it to be a partnership between a variety of States committees, voluntary bodies and interest groups such as La Société Guernesiaise.
The Service is committed to the concept of establishing such a centre, and to keeping abreast of developments in the various national recording schemes to which such a centre might be affiliated. The Service will continue to accept, preserve and make available, locally-relevant natural history data from both local and visiting naturalists.
10.10.3 Botany. The collection includes several thousand specimens, most of which came from the Guille-Allès Collection, including useful early 19th century local specimens and some foreign and exotic material. La Société Guernesiaise maintains the most important historical and current voucher herbaria for the island. Nonetheless, the material in the care of the Authority also has importance and its on-going care is essential. Active collecting of botanical specimens is not envisaged as this is a recognised role of La Société Guernesiaise, but donations of important local material may be accepted or redirected to La Société.
10.10.4 Geology. The collections consist of some 5000 items from the Guille-Allès and Lukis Collections and include an important series of local rocks and minerals, together with good educational and display-quality non-local mineral and fossil material. Some progress has been made on their cleaning, re-identification, documentation and re-housing in suitable storage. Additions of significant local specimens will be made as the opportunity or need arises. Foreign material will not be actively collected, but donations will be accepted if they are relevant to and enhance the existing collections.
10.10.5 Zoology. Mainly originating from the Guille-Allès museum, the collections include an estimated 20,000 insects, together with mounted mammals, birds, fish and fish casts, skeletal material, shells, crustacea and other items. The general condition of the material is poor, but includes important local specimens and voucher material. Documentation and conservation of the existing collection will preclude much active collecting, but donations of relevant material will be accepted. The Authority will not condone any killing for the purposes of collecting, and birds’ eggs will not generally be accepted, apart from historic collections. The relevant authorities will be informed if breaches of the law are suspected. (See paragraphs 4.1 and 4.2)
10.11 SOCIAL HISTORY
10.11.1
General. The existing collections are limited and much of the
material has been acquired since 1973. The Service will pursue an active
acquisition policy in relation to items of historical, rural, domestic,
agricultural and industrial interest. Material from outside the island will
only be acquired where it relates directly to the activities of Guernsey
people.
10.11.2 Costume. The Service has a very limited costume collection, apart from military uniforms, and will only seek to acquire limited material in this area in view of the National Trust of Guernsey’s large (some 3,000 items) holding. Material for exhibition has been generously lent by the Trust on request, and it is hoped this will be the case in the future. The Service will seek to liaise with the Guernsey National Trust to establish a mechanism for filling gaps in both collections. This particularly relates to mid to late 20th century costume.
10.11.3
Photographs. The Service holds a large collection of local
photographs including part of the early 20th century Guerin
Collection of glass negatives. Whilst the photographs complement the
Authority’s three-dimensional objects, they are an important resource in their
own right. The Service will continue to acquire old photographs with local
connections as originals or copies and add recent photographs of particular
local interest.
10.11.4 Film Archive. The Service established a
film archive through the agency of the Educational Television Network of Jersey
in the early 1990s. This archive is kept in the Island Archives Service. The
Museums Service holds copy recordings for Education use.
11. CONSERVATION
11.1 In acquiring material, the Authority also recognises its responsibility to ensure the conservation, documentation and proper use of such material and of all objects entrusted to its care. A prioritised programme of conservation will be created during the life of this Policy.
11.2 Conservation and restoration of items in the collections will be undertaken by
the Service’s technical officers as far as possible. Items that cannot be so treated will be sent to accredited conservation agencies elsewhere as funds allow.
11.3 The Service will co-operate with other Channel Island museums in matters of common interest and will render advice and assistance wherever possible.
12.1 The Authority provides, through its Education Officer, an active and accessible Education Service. This Service is available to all age groups but with particular consideration given to the needs of island schools and colleges.
12.2 The Service is committed to the principle of Life Long Learning and the importance of physical and intellectual access to the collections.
12.3 The Service recognises the importance of the Guernsey Grid for Learning, and will seek to provide appropriate material for inclusion. The Education Officer will liaise, as appropriate, with all relevant bodies in the development of the Guernsey Grid for Learning. The Service is committed to the continued use of computer technology in the learning process and understanding of visitor needs.
12.4 The Service will undertake to provide stimulating and relevant resources, such as a handling collection, information leaflets, educational worksheets, living-history experiences and lectures. These will be monitored and reviewed according to the requirements of the community and visitors to the island. The handling collection will be recorded as belonging to the museum, but will not form part of its accessioned material. Accessioned material will not normally be used for handling purposes.
12.5 The Authority will allow free entry to all its museums for recognised educational groups.
12.6 The Service may provide evening talks and gallery visits to adult groups on request.
12.7 The Service will liaise with the States Education Council through the Educational Development Centre, and will assist in the training of teachers in the educational use of the museum services.
12.8 Out of school activities, based on the Authority’s sites and museums, will be provided for local children, where possible.
13.1 The officers of the museum undertake where possible to give advice and answer enquiries relating to specific objects. They may also give advice appropriate to the historical and technical background to their specialised fields.
13.2 The officers of the museum shall not give a valuation on an object nor direct the enquirer to any single dealer to obtain such valuations.
13.3 The officers of the museum shall refuse to give any opinion on an object where the enquirer does not have or appear to have title to the object that would satisfy the criteria of Section 4. In addition, where the officer has reasonable cause to suspect that the object brought in as an enquiry has been stolen, illegally imported or illegally acquired, it shall be the responsibility of the officer, in consultation with a senior officer, to notify the police or other appropriate authority without delay.
14 EXHIBITION
14.1 The Authority shall provide the means whereby the objects in the collections can be made accessible to the public through both permanent and temporary exhibitions.
14.2 Permanent. The content of permanent exhibitions is based upon all aspects of social, military, cultural and maritime history, the environment and the development of material culture. Military and maritime material will generally be shown in Castle Cornet, and maritime material relating to shipwrecks at Fort Grey.
14.3 Temporary. The Authority will provide a programme of temporary exhibitions each year at Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery. On occasions, temporary exhibitions will be mounted at other sites provided appropriate security and environmental conditions can be assured. Exhibition content may:
i) be provided from material in the Service’s own collections;
ii) provide a forum for local activities appropriate to the museum;
iii) bring items of interest or educational value, through travelling exhibitions or loan, from the United Kingdom or elsewhere.
14.4 The Authority undertakes to promote its sites and activities through a marketing and publicity programme that will include the use of Information Communications Technology systems such as the Internet.
15. PUBLICATIONS
15.1 The Authority shall undertake to publish information concerning the collections and the Island’s culture, environment and history for both the general and specialist reader. The Authority currently publishes several book series, including Guernsey Museum Monographs, Artists in Guernsey, and individual titles.
15.2 The States of Guernsey will retain copyright on all such published material, unless specifically agreed to the contrary.
15.3 A Publications Working Group is established to identify and manage new titles and other published materials. This group will consist of officers of the Service, who will through the Director, report to the Authority. (See17.1)
16.1 The officers shall undertake and permit others deemed qualified to undertake research on the collections, to enhance and realise the full potential of these collections, as staff time and resources permit.
16.2 Research and documentation of the collections will be undertaken by the appropriate officers, priority being given to research on local material. The information realised through this work will be available to any interested person, organisation, parish or States Department.
16.3 The Service will endeavour to provide resources to facilitate the use of the collections by the community as a whole for the purposes of study. However, the long-term preservation of material in the collections remains a primary aim and any use of the collections must not compromise acceptable standards of security, environmental control and physical well-being. Material will not, generally, be allowed out of the museum, except in the case of items sent to other museums and similar institutions for exhibition, conservation or study.
17. RETAIL ACTIVITIES
17.1 The provision of shops at Guernsey Museum, Castle Cornet and Fort Grey is regarded as a necessary part of the Authority’s service to the public, and as an important source of revenue. General management of retail activities rests with the museum’s Administration Officer. The Publications Working Group that shall include the Administration Officer, will consider publication of material relating to collections.
17.2 Books and objects available for sale should conform to good standards of quality and be broadly relevant to the museum’s activities or special exhibitions.
18. TECHNICAL ADVICE
18.1 The Technical Department under the leadership of the Project Development Officer, advises staff where appropriate, on matters relating to practical realisation of exhibition, and manages display construction.
19. HISTORIC SITES
19.1 The Authority has in its care over 70 structures of historic importance, and is responsible for their protection and maintenance. Many of these are Scheduled Ancient Monuments and are important nationally and locally. The Authority is committed to ensuring that these special sites are properly maintained to ensure their future security and for the enjoyment and education of the public.
19.2 The Historic Sites Manager is responsible for ensuring that the sites are well maintained, that all works are appropriate to the specific cultural significance of the site and that all legal consents are obtained prior to any works being undertaken.
19.3 The Historic Sites Manager reports, through the Director of Museums, to an Historic Sites Management Group chaired by the Authority’s Chief Executive. The Historic Sites Management Group includes officers of the Conservation and Design Team that advises the Authority on matters concerning the Ancient Monuments and Protected Buildings (Guernsey) Law, 1967, which the Authority administers.
20. SITES AND MONUMENTS RECORD
20.1 The Authority has commenced a recording programme of Bailiwick Sites and Monuments. Established in 1997, the record holds information relating to all archaeological and historic sites and monuments on the island, whether under the care of the Authority, other departments of the States of Guernsey or private individuals.
20.2 The Service is committed to integrating this record into the Digitised mapping system introduced by the Board of Administration in 1998. It is anticipated that this record will be made widely available to the public on the Internet and by other means.
21. CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)
21.1 The Authority is committed to a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for its staff. It recognises the importance of regular training to ensure that high standards are set and maintained in the care and interpretation of its collections, and to every other area of the Service. This will include training made available through the Guernsey Civil Service Board.
21.2 The Authority will seek advice and help from its Regional Museums Service as appropriate to the professional development of its staff.
21.3 The Authority recognises its rôle in assisting in the training of others in the profession, and will provide placements for students through industrial placements and work experience programmes wherever possible.
Other policies and plans relating to the activities of the Service will be published from time to time. In particular:
22. FORWARD MANAGEMENT PLAN (Business Plan)
23. DISASTER RECOVERY AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT POLICY
24. HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK POLICY
25. INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Document approved by the States of Guernsey Heritage Committee at its meeting of 5th June 2001