*Basic conservation techniques at Small Arms Factory Lithgow*

It is such a privilege to be engaged as a Museums Advisor for several Council’s within NSW. The role is varied and engaging with a broad range of collections and resources. My first role was with the Lithgow Region Museums, and subsequently with Dubbo Regional Council and Shoalhaven Regional Council.

The program is jointly funded by the Council and MGNSW. Currently there are over 10 Museum Advisors working in up to 20 Councils across NSW.

Some of the mutual benefits include sharing of knowledge, development of skills, building relationships, establishing priorities, applying for funding, building community capacity, and making connections.

As a Museums Advisor, I have found it beneficial to spend time with the custodians of the collections.

I always start by touring the museum and collection, giving time to learn about the volunteers' interests, priorities, teamwork, limited budgets, and public program expectations..

The local knowledge is extraordinary. The level of detail about a specific object or a special event is delightful to learn. The intimate descriptions and knowledge of their local community history creates many opportunities for stories and histories to be captured. My involvement has often been connected to amplifying this knowledge. I am always working to collaborate with each of the museums to enable more ways to tell these stories.

Some key overarching themes across my experience as a museum advisor include support in creating new volunteer opportunities, applying for grant funding, collection management and of course collection care.

1. New Volunteer Opportunities

The lack of volunteers overshadows many small museums and this was addressed with the Wellington Museum by delivering a series of workshops for volunteers and the community. The workshops assisted to raise the profile of the museum, create interest, provide an opportunity for community connection and develop skills locally.

Developing specific projects for new volunteers was another way to attract and retain volunteers at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum. The cataloguing of the extensive employee archives was a project for new volunteers to experience develop some new skills. This included handling and cleaning paper based collections along-side data entry and rehousing into archival sleeves and boxes.

The lack of volunteers is an ongoing issue and many museums are looking for volunteers - so please reach out to your local museum to help out.

2. Grants and Funding

All our regional museums are run on tight budgets or no income at all. They are all competing for grant funding. The grant funding opportunities through the various agencies including - M&GNSW, Create NSW, FRRR and NLA to name a few are sometimes the only way that museums can complete a project.

The Glen Museum in Portland was successful in a Significance Assessment grant from the National Library Australia. This significance report will help to guide the Museum in knowledge of their collection and the development of other guiding policies.

The Lithgow & District Family History Group were successful in a Council run grant that enabled the digitisation of their oral history tapes from 1988.

3. Collection Management

The management of the collection within the museum is often embedded in the people and systems in place. This aspect of museum management varies in agency and accuracy. I have collaborated with my museums to create databases, catalogues, collection policies, and preservation plans.

Developing systems and procedures that are relevant to the organisation and the capacity of the members is critical in the success of the introduction of collection management. The use of free catalogue platforms such as e-Hive and online resources available through M&GNSW enables the organisation to support references for future use.

4. Collection Care

My role with the Shoalhaven Museums has only just begun and we have already tackled various collection care topics including -

Pests
Collection storage
Environmental control
Textile rehousing

I am looking forward to continuing to develop the skills of the volunteers and learn more about the collections, the communities and our history.

The benefits of seeking expert guidance for preserving and maintaining collections cannot be overstated. As your Museums Advisor I can offer valuable insights into best practices, ensuring that artifacts and artworks remain in optimal condition for generations to come. My expertise extends beyond just conservation techniques; I can also provide invaluable advice on storage, climate control, and handling procedures. With my guidance, your museum can create a sustainable preservation plan, safeguarding the integrity and longevity of its collections. In a rapidly changing world, where technological advancements and environmental factors pose new challenges, having a museum advisor by your side is essential to adapt and stay ahead.

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