I work with over 30 museums in Surrey, a county which extends from
outer London suburbia to the green belt woodlands.

Over half the museums are entirely volunteer-run, and only three have
more than a handful of staff (these are a large independent Natural
History Museum, a large town museum, and a large independent museum of
aviation and motor sport).  The other museums, where they have
professional staff, are typically a curator, or curator plus assistant
and/or education officer).

I have just completed a training needs audit for all the museums, and
they reveal the strengths and weaknesses.  The larger museums share
many concerns with the small ones: they too are dependent on
volunteers, and want to recruit, motivate and retain better, they too
are concerned about documentation and conservation standards (none has
a conservator, and none has a registrar) - 'large' means 'about 20
staff, including warding staff'. I will send you a copy of the audit,
if you would find it helpful.

With best wishes,

___

Pat Reynolds
Museums Development Officer
Surrey Museums Consultative Committee
- a service jointly funded by the county, district and borough
councils

130 Goldsworth Road, Woking, Surrey GU12 5LF - 01483 594624