Poole Museum and Scaplen’s Court have been officially ‘accredited’ by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).
The MLA’s Museum Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for all museums in the UK. The award shows that the service measures up to these standards, meeting the guidelines on how it is run, how it looks after its collections and the services it provides visitors.
Borough of Poole Museum Service, which runs both museums, looks after Poole’s collections of artefacts and documentation relating to the history of the town and Poole Harbour.
Cllr Peter Adams, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Borough of Poole, said: "The awards of full accreditation to Poole Museum and Scaplen’s Court are a feather in the cap for our Museum Service, and show that we are looking after our collections and visitors in the way we should be. I congratulate Poole Museum Service."
Notable strengths of the collections on display in the refurbished Poole Museum are internationally important maritime archaeology, including the Iron Age Poole logboat and an outstanding selection of Poole Pottery.
Scaplen’s Court is a Grade One listed building and a scheduled ancient monument. It houses displays of toys and other artefacts, which are used in sessions run for Poole and Dorset schoolchildren.
Michael Spender, Museum Manager, Borough of Poole, said "As well as demonstrating that we are caring for our collections, accreditation assesses the services we provide for our users, so it is pleasing that we have received the awards. However, we always want to improve these services and will continue to do so."
