Collections Trust and Museum Development England have partnered for 2025/26 to pilot a brand new national programme of briefings to support your site with implementing the Spectrum Standards. Spectrum is the UK collection management standard that is also used around the world. The latest version, Spectrum 5.1, published in September 2022. This version offers revised guidance on cataloguing and the use of collections.

These bite-sized briefings will be delivered online and provide a brief overview of Spectrum and the nine primary procedures, with opportunities for questions. MD England will run the events quarterly and will then repeat them throughout the year, giving you multiple opportunities to attend the sessions that will benefit your work.

Quarter Two events: Open for bookings now:

• Wednesday 6 August, 11am-12noon: A Brief Introduction to Object exit – Booking link
• Wednesday 20 August, 11am-12noon: A Brief Introduction to Loans in and Loans out – Booking link
• Tuesday 9 September, 11am-12noon: A Brief Introduction to Documentation Planning Booking link
• Thursday 25 September, 11am-12noon: A Brief Introduction to Object entry – Booking link

For further details follow this link: https://www.mdmidlands.org.uk/upcoming-events

These events are aimed at beginners or those in need of a refresh. You do not need any prior experience of Spectrum to attend. These sessions have been designed as standalone events so you do not need to attend every session in the series to benefit. For further details on the Sepctrum Standards follow this link: https://collectionstrust.org.uk/spectrum/spectrum-5/

The Collections Trust is an independent UK-based charity that works with museums, libraries, galleries and archives worldwide to improve the management and use of collections.