Records of the Association of Independent Museums (AIM)

AIM is a non-profit, membership based, national organisation that was founded in 1977 by the directors of independent museums. The establishment of this association originated from the realisation that there was a need to represent and support the interest of the growing Independent museum sector as well as 'in response to the growing number of community-based projects seeking to preserve locally and nationally important heritage'. This need to form an association had also developed since independent institutions were thought to be making an impact in the wider museum field and often covered topics that were overlooked by existing museums. AIM endeavoured to assist and connect member museums by lobbying on their behalf for various independent museum related policy matters and by providing advice, guidance and funding opportunities. The grant schemes were put in place to assist AIM members with a variety of different needs involving education/training, development and conservation. AIM publications served as a tool for guidance and provided information on various issues concerning independent museums whilst their conferences/seminars functioned as a platform to network and share expertise.

The AIM archive collection consists primarily of materials relating to the establishment and administration of AIM between 1977 and the 2000s. It includes correspondence; agendas and minutes; membership records and fiscal returns; financial documents; AIM bulletins and other publications as well as photographs.

AIM was founded in 1977 'in response to the growing number of community-based projects seeking to preserve locally and nationally important heritage'. It provides advocacy for its membership (which ranges from small, local, volunteer-operated organisations to large institutions) at national level, offers training through an annual conference and country-wide workshops, operates grant schemes and issues a bi-monthly bulletin.

The collection has been divided up into records about the Association itself (AIM/AIM); resources and guidance for museums (AIM/MUS) and papers relating to other bodies (AIM/REL). Within series and files, the order is generally chronological.

Some material may be unavailable for general access.

The Special Collections Reading Room is open Monday-Friday. Opening hours vary, for updates see our Archives Hub repository page.

Researchers are required to book an appointment before their visit, through specialcollections@le.ac.uk or 0116 252 2056.

Deposited with the University of Leicester Library in November 2008 by Rob Shorland-Ball, on behalf of the Association of Independent Museums.

Full catalogue available via the University of Leicester Archive Catalogue

Description prepared by Margaret Maclean on 29 July 2011.

Much of the material in the archive may remain in copyright. Photocopies of material can be supplied for private research purposes only. However, it is the responsibility of users to obtain the copyright holder's permission for reproduction of copyright material for purposes other than research or private study. A copy of such written approval from the copyright holder must be received by the Librarian before reproductions can be made. It is also the researcher's responsibility to obtain the relevant copyright holder's permission to publish or cite papers from the archive. A copy of such written approval from the copyright holder must be received by the Librarian prior to publication. The Library will not be responsible for any failure on the part of authors and publishers to seek such permission to publish. Readers are required to sign a form accepting these conditions.

Prior to July 2006, the greater part of the archive was stored in the Boat Museum Archives Store, some additional material being retained at the homes of Winstan Bond (former Treasurer), Diana Zeuner (editor of the AIM Bulletin) and Roger Hornshaw (former administrator). The bulk of the archive was moved from the Boat Museum on 6 July 2006 and was temporarily stored in the York Minster Archives Store, Church House. The remainder of the archive was collected together by Rob Shorland-Ball and taken to York, where it was weeded and sorted ready for its removal to Leicester. Further accessions have been received regularly.

The University of Leicester Library holds 'AIM : the quarterly bulletin of the Association of Independent Museums' from 1978 to date (although lacking 20(4), 1997 and 22(4), 1999), shelf mark DWL:PER 069 A3376.