Collections mapping
Collections mapping is a branch of cultural mapping practice focusing on movable cultural heritage. It is used to analyse and document attributes or themes associated with one or more collections (or parts of a collection) located at single or multiple sites, for example locally, nationally, regionally or internationally. Applications include collections management, promotion, access and community engagement and empowerment. It can contribute to cross-collection projects, thematic studies and regional surveys.
Mapping information may take the form of inventories, databases, oral and video recordings or websites and may be represented using geospatial techniques. Analysis may focus on physical parameters such as item type or condition or values related to significance such as historic, artistic, scientific and social studies, the potential for research, provenance, rarity, completeness and interpretive capacity.
Flinders University student, Jenna Randall’s Report for the Collections Council on collections mapping available at http://www.collectionscouncil.com.au/collections+mapping.aspx.
The Collections Council of Australia has sponsored work on collections mapping as part of its CollectionsCare proposal for support to regional collections. The resulting Report provides a guidance for CollectionsCare Coordinators to identify, document and promote existing collections within their CollectionsCare Region.[1]
[1] For information about CollectionsCare see http://www.collectionscouncil.com.au/first+announcement+7+june+2007.aspx
