Advice


Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a ‘museum code’ and how do we obtain one?
Museum codes are the National Union Catalogue (NUC) symbols. These unique identifiers for collecting organisations are issued by the National Library of Australia and are administered by ILRS (Interlibrary Resource Sharing Directory). The ILRS is primarily concerned with organisations that make their collections available for loan via the interlibrary loans scheme.

Firstly, check to make sure that your museum hasn’t already been allocated a code by going to www.nla.gov.au/ilrs/ – click on Search and enter the name, or part of the name of your institution. To obtain a museum code, stay at www.nla.gov.au/ilrs/ and click on the New Entry form.

Contact the ILRS Administration on 1800 026155, at http://www.nla.gov.au/ilrs/ or via email ilrs@nla.gov.au

(January 2008)


Where can we buy sticky insect traps, and what’s the best way to use them?
Sticky insect traps are a way to check for insects present in different areas of your museum and identify them. You can then research the specific risks these species may contain and put suitable strategies into place to banish them from your museum.

This process is a standard part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Rudduck are a Melbourne stockist of sticky traps. For more information, see our Info_Sheet_6:_Monitoring the Museum Environment.pdf ( pdf file, 65kb)

(January 2008)


What’s “significance” and why is it considered so important?
Significance is the historic, aesthetic, scientific and social values that an object or collection has for past, present and future generations.

Significance refers to more than the physical fabric or appearance of an object. It incorporates all the elements that contribute to an object’s (or collection’s) meaning, including its:

  • context
  • history
  • uses
  • social and spiritual values.

This information can help you to draw informed conclusions about why an object is significant. Significance is not fixed – it may increase or diminish over time.

A significant collection can show what is or has been significant about the community it represents, whether that is a local area or shared interest community.

For more information, check our 2008 Annual Program.pdf ( pdf file, 835kb) for workshops on significance. You can download the publication Significance: A Guide to Assessing the Significance of Cultural Heritage Objects and Collections – from AMOL

(January 2008)


What is a Significance Assessment and why would our museum do one?
Significance assessment is the process of studying and understanding the meanings and values of objects. It helps you clearly articulate the value and meaning of objects and collections, and make sound judgements and good decisions about conserving, interpreting and managing them, now and into the future. The direct benefits of a significance assessment are its application and contribution to:

  • funding applications
  • disaster planning
  • collection strategy
  • exhibition planning
  • marketing and promotion

For more information, check our Annual Program 2008 [internal link] for workshops on significance. You can download the publication Significance: A Guide to Assessing the Significance of Cultural Heritage Objects and Collections – from AMOL

Heritage Victoria offers funding for community collections to undertake Significance Assessments – find out more at http://www.heritage.vic.gov.au/

(January 2008)