Elmbridge Museum Review

|Find out the latest news on the Museum Development Plan

What is the review about?

The Museum has entered a new era where its services have been re-defined to make them more accessible, relevant and more cost effective to the community. In order to position itself at the heart of the Borough, the Museum has embarked on an ambitious 18-month project.

Why does the Museum need a Development Plan?

The Museum Development Plan is the most important document for a Museum as it provides the overall strategic framework, purpose, vision, objectives and actions for the Museum to follow during this period of change. Due to the complex nature of the current Museum review project, it has been proposed that this Development Plan will cover the period from 2011/12 to 2014/15, at which time the Development Plan will be reviewed.

The views and opinions of local stakeholders have been important in shaping this Development Plan, in line with national policy guidance and best practice.

Feedback from stakeholders confirmed that it was important for Elmbridge Museum to engage the community with the history of the Borough, and through this, to learn and enjoy the local history.

The Museum Development Plan seeks to provide direction for the Museum, and incorporating the feedback from the stakeholder workshops the Museum's Mission Statement is:

"Engaging people with their past, present and future by collecting, preserving and presenting selected and significant objects from the history of Elmbridge, for the purposes of learning and enjoyment."

Stakeholders also felt that some of the key objectives for the Museum moving forward should provide greater access to the collection through an innovative outreach and digital programme, improve marketing to raise awareness and progress collaborative working with other similar cultural venues.

How will the Museum Development Plan be implemented?

The Key Ambitions for the Museum Development Plan, building upon the stakeholder feedback, are:

In providing an inclusive and interactive Museum's service, Elmbridge Museum seeks to:

1. Improve standards in collections management through new policies and procedures, reviewing and the relocation of collections to a new Collections Resources Centre.
2. Provide access to the collection through imaginative and innovative online, outreach and in house programmes.
3. Provide a clear Marketing Strategy to raise the profile of the Museum service.
4. Organise sufficient resources for the effective delivery of the Mission Statement.

When will it all happen?

The Museum Development Plan is an ambitious long-term project that will profoundly change the way residents and visitors usually perceive museum services. Each step will be taken carefully to ensure minimum inconvenience to the public.

Draft project outline and timetable

• May 2011 - March 2012. Desk review of collection and identification of artefacts to retun or transfer
• November 2011. From Friday 28 November, reduced museum opening times: Fridays 11.00am - 5.00pm and Saturdays 10.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm to prepare for move
• April 2012. Commence transfer and return of identified collections
• July - November 2012 - New store construction
• 20 August 2012 - Provisional Museum closure
• September 2012 - January 2013 - Collections removal to new store facility
• January - May 2013 - Develop new museum website
• January 2013. New Collections Resources Centre opens

Benefits to the Community

By the end of 2014, it is anticipated that the community will have access to a 21st century facility offering flexible and versatile services using the latest developments in technology available in the field.

We welcome your feedback on the museum development plan. Please let us have your views and if you would like to receive regular updates on the progress of this project, please |contact the Leisure and Cultural Services to let us have your contact details.