National museums welcomed the framework
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Local museums have voiced disappointment at a Scottish Executive action plan to help them improve their services.
Culture Minister Frank McAveety has promised support and partnerships between local and national bodies - but did not announce any extra funding for the sector.
The framework was welcomed by the national galleries and the national museums.
But Jane Ryder of the Scottish Museums Council, which represents more than 300 non-national museums in Scotland, said the new plans did not go far enough.
The largest ever audit of Scotland's museum sector was completed last year.
Stepping stones
It showed an industry struggling to get by, characterised by low pay and voluntary work.
The Scottish Executive has now published its response to the consultation exercise on the development of an action plan for Scotland's museums and galleries.
Mr McAveety said: "This announcement will put in place some important stepping stones for the future care and conservation of important collections across Scotland, ensuring that inspiration, understanding and enjoyment of them will enrich people's lives."
He promised a better partnership between the local and national sector.
He also called for further research into the economic impact of museums and said he would clarify future financing of the three industrial museums currently funded directly from the Strategic Change Fund.
A wider review of the governance of the cultural sector is now being carried out by the executive.
Ms Ryder said there was nothing to disagree with in the action plan itself.
"We are disappointed it is so narrow in scope, given the scope of the consultation we had last year," she said.
She said there was widespread support for the extension of the service provided by the national museums.
More resources
"But they cannot possibly service the entire non-national museum community.
"That is not a substitute for a real investment programme which makes a real difference to local museums and users across Scotland," she said.
Mr McAveety said there would always be demands for more resources.
He said the national galleries and the national museums had received additional money over the last two years.
He said there were some "wonderful collections" which could not be displayed in the national collections due to a lack of space.
"With a bit of imagination, a bit of planning and a bit of development we are convinced that that could be something that could be exchanged to other parts of Scotland," he told BBC Scotland.
"Equally there are many parts of Scotland who have their own local collections which sometimes deserve a more national audience and that is something we would wish to develop through collaboration.
"These are the kind of things that we think can genuinely make a difference."
Dr Gordon Rintoul, the director of the National Museums of Scotland, described the framework as "a positive step towards the enhancement of museum services across Scotland.".
Sir Timothy Clifford, director general of the National Galleries of Scotland, also expressed delight at the announcement.
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There are many parts of Scotland who have their own local collections which sometimes deserve a more national audience
