Museums frequently asked questions

If you have a question about the Museum Service, its collections or its services please feel free to contact us.

What is it?
The Museum Service is often asked to identify objects. Further information about this service can be found on our Object Identifications page. However, it should be noted that the Museum Service cannot issue certificates of authenticity or give valuations. This should be done through an action house or specialist dealer.

How many objects are in the collection?
Our collections comprise of around 300,000 objects and over 200,000 records.

Why do museums collect more objects than they can display?
The role of the Museum Service is to collect and preserve evidence of the natural and human history of Shropshire. Without museums very little of this material would exist in the public sphere. However, we cannot display all the items in our collection. Some items are very sensitive to light, temperature or humidity and would disintegrate if left on display.

Other items are not very exciting to look at but tell a vital part of Shropshire's story. These items are carefully stored and available to the public to view by appointment. We also have limited display space in our museums. In order to put the maximum amount of material on display some items are placed on loan to other organisations or used as part of our temporary and touring exhibitions.

How do I find out more about the contents of the Museum Service collections?
The Museum Service is currently transferring its collection records from index cards to a database. We hope to put a catalogue of our collections on-line in the future. If you would like further details about the items in our collection please contact the appropriate Curator or museum staff member who will do their best to provide you with the information you require.

How can I pursue career in museums?
A career in museums offers the opportunity to be actively involved in managing, caring for and interpreting the past for public benefit. There is no single route into the profession and many people come with varied backgrounds. This reflects the wide range of jobs available: Collection Managers, Curators, Administrators, Marketing Officers, Technicians, Education Officers, Designers etc. However, everyone in the Museum Service posses at least some common qualities: they are highly motivated, committed and qualified.

Becoming a museum professional is not the easiest career route to follow. There is increasingly intense competition for jobs. However a career in museums is extremely rewarding. The Museum Service aims to encourage those with an interest in pursuing a career in museums and to this end we offer students the opportunity to work with us through school work experience schemes or volunteering opportunities.

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