Who we are?

We are a loose network of organisations (or groups), which support documentation, in different countries around the world:

• CHIN (Canadian Heritage Information Network), Canada.
• Collections Trust, UK.
• SIG Documentation of the German Museum Association, Germany.
• MDC, Croatia.

Aims

• To provide information about organisations in the network.
• Learning which references, resources and instruments are offered by the organisations in the network.
• Spread expertise about documentation and related topics, including by encouraging translation.
• Bring together statistical data available on museums in the world – based on the activities which have been done by EGMUS(European Group on Museum Statistics – egmus.eu).

What we do?

• Discuss joint initiatives, such as encouraging translations of what has been achieved in one country to be distributed in other countries.
• Look for further synergies.

Plan of action for the next three years

• Extend the network of organisations.
• Meet annually, at the CIDOC conference to discuss issues.
• Gather, and publish, museum statistics for countries outside Europe.

If you know of a relevant organisation, either supporting documentation or having museum statistics, in your country please tell us about it by e-mailing the co-chairs.

Contacts

• Monika Hagedorn-Saupe, Germany [Co-chair] –m.hagedorn[at]smb.spk-berlin.de
• Gordon McKenna, United Kingdom [Co-chair] – gordon[at]collectionstrust.org.uk

History

The WG was established as the Documentation Centres Working Group in 1985 and later renamed to Information Centres Working Group. Its aims at its beginning were:

• To encourage the compilation and distribution of bibliographical data and abstracting and indexing services, both in computerised and in printed form.
• To promote the development of a subject indexing thesaurus of museum literature.
• To consider ways to making documents and information available throughout the world.