ABSTRACT
Museums not only have to look after their collections, but they also have to manage and maintain the buildings in which they are housed. Museum buildings vary in size, form and construction from one country to another. Their surroundings also vary with many museums set in gardens or on sites associated with the theme of
their collections such as industrial or maritime museums. Whatever type of building(s) your museum is housed in and whatever its surroundings, there are four basic requirements for their management and maintenance. Museum managers should:
• have a detailed knowledge of their museum buildings(s) and their site and surroundings and have a full and up-to-date set of building and site plans;
• assess the museum’s maintenance needs on a regular basis, with external assistance if required;
• develop a schedule of maintenance work to meet these needs; • determine the costs of the maintenance work and budget for the work to be
carried out.
