Records Preservation
Section (RPS)
A clearing house and rescue body for archives, the RPS works to ensure that material of historical interest is deposited with appropriate record offices.
A network of local authority, specialist and business archive repositories covers the UK. For anyone with archives which they would like to place in safe-keeping, deciding where to deposit items can be difficult.
The problem of what to do with archival material is a particularly acute one for solicitors, who often find themselves storing title deeds and other materials for old clients who can no longer be traced. Solicitors cannot sell or destroy these items (which belong to the client) so the only ethical way of disposal of non-sensitive material is by depositing it with an appropriate record office on indefinite loan. This means that the material can be recalled should the original owner reappear and request its return.
The RPS can help solicitors and others by advising on or carrying out, the transfer of such material to record repositories. It can also visit firms and advise on the care of records not earmarked for transfer in this way.
Project on Archives at Risk 2010
Attention archivists in the London and the East of England regions!
This summer the BRA is undertaking, in conjunction with its chosen consultants The Archive Skills Consultancy (TASC), a pathfinding investigation of archives at risk in two English regions, London and the East of England.
TASC’s team (Margaret Crockett, Janet Foster and Jonathan Rhys-Lewis) will be sending out short questionnaires in early July and we would encourage you to add your voice to this important and timely research project. The results of the research, which will also take account of recent reports and surveys, will provide a clear view of the challenges and risks facing archives and archives services in the two regions and form the basis for practical recommendations for the management and reduction of risk.
For the project brief please go to: Archives at Risk
Win a valuable Prize!
As an incentive to you to complete the questionnaire, the BRA is also making an exciting offer! The name of every record repository, archive or archivist returning the questionnaire will be entered in a great prize draw. The prizes on offer are FOUR packages each containing free admission to the BRA’s annual conference in 2010 plus two free books from our prestigious series Archives and the User.
The conference will take place at Freemasons Hall in central London on 7 December 2010 and is titled The Philanthropy Files. It focuses on the theme of the records of charitable and philanthropic activity.
The two books on offer are Nat Alcock’s Documenting the History of Houses (2003) and, hot off the presses, Elizabeth New’s Seals and Sealing Practices (2010), both normally available at £9.50 each.
So, do please remember to return your completed questionnaire and give yourself a chance of winning a fantastic prize. You will be doing something for archives as well!
Dr Anthony Smith
British Records Association
Records Preservation Section position paper 2009
The Records Preservation Section have issued a position paper regarding the
status of their services and the section for 2009. Click here to read the paper.