University Collections acquisitions (purchase or donation)
Current pause on acquisitions
Pressures on storage space have become acute, with a survey of spaces in summer 2024 showing most spaces to be over 100% full. It would be irresponsible in the current situation to acquire more collections material. As such we will not be considering any acquisition proposals to University Collections until the start of academic year 2026/27. We are working to identify and map a programme of improvements to storage conditions and capacity that will be implemented over the course of future years. We appreciate your understanding while we work to create a more sustainable and responsible collections stewardship model.
Limitations on physical space and budget require University Collections to create a responsible and sustainable model for the ongoing stewardship of our collections. University Collections and Museums will always make decisions on acquisitions based on a combination of factors:
- Relevance to and alignment with the principles of the Collections Development Policy
- Short- and long- term cost implications, including lifetime storage and care, remedial conservation needs, making items ‘research ready’ (cataloguing, digitisation, promotion, access arrangements, etc.)
Proposed acquisitions will be considered by the Libraries and Museums Collections Working Group, which meets monthly. A decision based on the recommendation of this group will be taken at the appropriate level of delegated authority, as set out in the University’s Schedule of Delegations.