[MSN] Ulster's historic treasures at risk in poor storage

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Ulster's historic treasures at risk in poor storage

08 June 2006 
Tens of thousands of valuable museum pieces are at risk in Northern Ireland
due to unsatisfactory storage conditions, a damning report revealed today.

The study raised a series of concerns about the record-keeping and
management of museum collections here.

Its conclusions will be examined by the powerful Commons Public Accounts
Committee later this month.

The Northern Ireland Audit Office, the province's public spending watchdog,
examined collections at four locations - the Ulster Folk and Transport
Museum in Cultra, the Ulster Museum in Belfast, Armagh County Museum and the
Ulster American Folk Park in Tyrone.

These sites are the responsibility of the National Museums and Galleries of
Northern Ireland (MAGNI), which is funded by the Department of Culture, Arts
and Leisure (DCAL).

The four museums between them hold 1,450,000 artefacts and works of art.

MAGNI was unable to tell the Audit Office what percentage of the artefacts
is currently documented to recognised national and international standards,
today's report stated.

Only around 10% of the items are on display at any given time, making
storage arrangements vitally important.

The Audit Office said: "Within MAGNI, 50 separate storage locations were
identified, ranging from a few items stored on a staircase landing to very
large warehouse facilities.

"We reviewed each of these, taking account of the physical facilities, the
environment and security. We found 60% of the stores area to be either
'poor' or 'unacceptable'."

MAGNI and DCAL have argued that the 60% floorspace figure could be
misinterpreted, as it does not take into consideration the value and nature
of items being stored.

The Audit Office found that the "bulk of the more valuable artefacts", such
as art collections at the Ulster Museum were held in "appropriate
conditions".

MAGNI, for its part, has estimated that about 90% of the overall collection
is held under suitable arrangements.

Summarising its findings on poor and unacceptable storage provision, the
Audit Office said: "We recognise that this does not indicate that 60% of the
collection is held in inappropriate conditions. 

"However, it does indicate, supported by anecdotal evidence, that there is a
risk of damage and deterioration to a number of artefacts."

Today's report said this problem should be addressed "urgently".

The Audit Office also found that less than 10% of the Ulster Folk and
Transport Museum's collections records had been computerised, despite a
commitment made in 1989.

"Clearly, this is an untenable position," it commented.

The report also stated that the Ulster Museum has not carried out an audit
check of its collection since 2003, due to "a lack of resources". According
to the museum's own policy, such checks should be conducted annually.

The Audit Office findings will be the basis of a Public Accounts Committee
hearing in Westminster on June 21.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/