The Documentation Centre

The documentation of cultural artefacts, the ongoing development of documentation practices, and the communication of such knowledge constitute an interlocking, cross-sectional task which interfaces with the areas of collections, maintenance, research and communication – the core assignments of the Swiss National Museum.

The Documentation Centre is the main competence centre for the fields of «Information and Documentation». As an integral component of the «Science and Collections» department, it works with partner institutions and working groups both nationally and internationally.

Its staff work in the following areas:

Library: Maintaining the specialist library, dealing with internal and external clients, cataloguing and acquiring new works.
Picture Archive: Maintaining and documenting the archive, handling orders by internal and external clients, managing visual materials and rights.
Central Catalogue: Tending original inventories and sources, maintaining documentary evidence, and expanding the museum's archive.
Web Services: Managing content, updating and developing internal and external online communication systems.

The Documentation Centre offers a range of services. It is responsible for the institution-wide object-management system and takes on training and continuing education assignments for various specialist institutions.