APPENDIX 57
Memorandum submitted by Resource: The
Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives
and Libraries (formerly known as the Museums, Libraries and Archives
Council) is a new strategic agency which works with museums, libraries
and archives across the UK. It replaced the Museums & Galleries
Commission and the Library Information Commission on 3 April 2000.
2. STRATEGIC
OBJECTIVES
2.1 The strategic objectives of Resource,
as laid down in a consultation document issued in January 2000,
are:
— to act as an authoritative advocate
and champion for the museums, archives and libraries sector ("the
sector");
— to act as a catalyst for change by
promoting modernisation, encouraging excellence and stimulating
imagination and lateral thinking;
— to provide strategic leadership,
encourage cohesion and facilitate funding for the sector;
— to advise Resource's constituents
on the conditions in which the different areas of the new sector
can flourish;
— to identify the key strategic needs
facing the sector and to advise on the priorities for action;
and
— to develop new links and partnerships
within and outside the sector.
Resource will publish its manifesto in July
2000.
3. EXECUTIVE
AND ADVISORY
FUNCTIONS
3.1 In order to develop the strategic focus
necessary to achieve these objectives, one of the first tasks
is to identify which executive and advisory services previously
undertaken by the Museums & Galleries Commission and the Library
Information Commission should be retained, which should be transferred
to other bodies, and which should be outsourced with Resource
retaining strategic control. Activities which are under review
include the administration of the registration scheme, security,
and Government indemnity scheme casework.
4. FEASIBILITY
STUDY
4.1 In order to determine how best to provide
advice to the sector on cultural property issues, Resource has
commissioned Jane Weeks to undertake a feasibility study. (Ms
Weeks was acting as an advisor on cultural property issues to
the Museums & Galleries Commission until 31 March 2000.) The
study will examine the potential for the establishment of a single
source of advice and information on cultural property issues such
as spoliation, restitution, repatriation and the illicit trade
in antiquities.
4.2 A recommendation for such a service
was made by the Museums & Galleries Commission in its submission
to the Select Committee in March 2000 and is a key recommendation
in the forthcoming report into the illicit trade in antiquities
compiled for the Museums Association and ICOM UK by Dr Neil Brodie
of the McDonald Institute. The creation of such a service was
first mooted by Moira Simpson in 1997 in her report for the Museums
Association on Museums and Repatriation.
4.3 The feasibility study will consider
the objectives of such a service, which might include:
— acting as a first point of contact
for the sector on issues concerning the return of objects and
the illicit trade in antiquities;
— communicating within the sector;
— assisting the sector in responding
to repatriation requests; and
— advising the sector on how best to
develop safeguards relating to acquisitions.
4.4 During the course of the research, there
will be widespread consultation with bodies such as the Department
for Culture, Media and Sport, the National Museum Directors Conference,
the Museums Association, and the National Council on Archives,
and with overseas bodies such as the American Indian Ritual Object
Repatriation Foundation.
4.5 The final report will cover the following
areas:
— the form of the service;
— an outline of the main aims and functions;
— recommendations as to where it should
be located;
— a timetable and budget; and
— an indication of potential sources
of funding.
4.6 The report will be submitted to the
Chief Executive of Resource by 31 August 2000. If the recommendations
are agreed, discussion will then take place on how best to implement
them.
June 2000
| 
