TaNC Policy Recommendations

Image reads Unlocking the Potential of Digital Collections

Building a Unified Future for UK Heritage

The UK’s cultural heritage sector is embracing a bold and transformative vision through the "Towards a National Collection" initiative. This pioneering programme brings together museums, galleries, libraries, and archives in a collective effort to create an inclusive, sustainable, and interoperable digital collection.

Supported by over 50 organisations, the initiative delivers actionable recommendations and invaluable resources, including training materials tailored for small and medium-sized institutions. These resources address the entire spectrum of digital collection needs, from digitisation to AI-powered research methods, providing tools to broaden public access and empower institutions to preserve and share their treasures under open data standards.

The Towards a National Collection initiative is a call to action for GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) professionals across the UK to unite and shape the future of digital heritage. This collaborative vision promises to unlock the full potential of the nation’s cultural treasures, creating a connected and innovative heritage landscape that is accessible to all.

 

Policy Recommendations for Digital UK Heritage Collections

Unlocking the Potential of Digital Collections – A Call to Action

The Towards a National Collection researchers have issued a compelling call to action for the UK’s cultural heritage sector: collaborate on creating a unified digital collection or risk losing the opportunity to lead globally in collections-based research.

This vision is outlined in the policy document, Unlocking the Potential of Digital Collections – A Call to Action, which highlights the critical need for collaboration among cultural heritage organisations and funding bodies. The document lays out a roadmap for achieving an inclusive, unified, accessible, interoperable, and sustainable UK digital collection.

Developed through an extensive consultation exercise involving contributions from over 50 organisations, the policy document reflects the collective expertise and shared commitment to advancing the UK’s cultural heritage. It provides a foundation for the sector to embrace innovation and create a digital future that serves researchers, institutions, and the public alike.

Access the Policy Document

The policy document is available in both English and Welsh to ensure accessibility for all stakeholders.

Representation of the printed document Policy REcommendations DOI