Records Preservation
Section (RPS)
Archives at Risk Project 2010
To conduct an overview survey of risks to historical records in the East of England and London regions
Introduction
The British Records Association (BRA) exists to encourage the preservation, use and understanding of the records of British history and seeks to represent the interests of owners, custodians and users of historical records. In recent years our Records Preservation Section has become increasingly concerned at what appear to be the mounting risks of loss and destruction of archival records of all kinds in the United Kingdom. It has therefore decided to undertake a short project to survey and evaluate these risks.
The BRA is now engaging a consultant, who is familiar with the wide range of historical records, both public and private, found in England and the variety of means by which these are accumulated and kept. We are particularly looking for a consultant with sensitivity to the diversity of risks of loss, damage or destruction to which historical records are vulnerable throughout their life cycles. We wish the consultant to make a report to the Association on the principal threats currently facing such records in two regions of England, the London and East of England regions. The project will be a challenging piece of research; the eventual report will inform the Association’s own future strategic planning and underpin its further discussions with key players in the archives sector on the issues raised and the possible future solutions to the challenges identified .
Aims and Outcomes
To review the current capacity that is available in the archival sector to identify and minimise the risks to historical records, whether deposited in record repositories or not, that exist in the two regions; and to make practicable recommendations for the strengthening of capacity and the reduction of risk, within the context of strategies currently being undertaken by other relevant bodies, such as TNA. We expect the final report to be widely distributed and discussed.
Amongst the themes to be addressed are the scope of collecting policies, including for digital and other non-manuscript records, and the quality of provision for their preservation in the regions (eg extent and quality of storage available). We wish to have an impression of the extent of undeposited material and what is know about such material and its custodians by repositories, as well as some understanding of the capacity of repositories to respond to emerging threats and to urgent needs for rescue or deposit, including by collaborative working.
Methodology, Outputs and Timetable
The precise details and methodology of the study will be determined by the consultant in conjunction with the Association’s project steering group; we expect to use wherever possible information currently in the public domain and do not intend to place an undue burden on archivists.
Questionnaire: to compile, administer and analyse the results of a simple questionnaire, having identified target audiences.
Follow-up Research: to conduct follow-up research to amplify the questionnaire results, including telephone interviews of key players; this will be principally desk research, though there may be scope for some field work.
Consultation with Project Group: the BRA will appoint a small project steering group, with which the consultant will discuss progress and findings at regular intervals.
Interim report: we will expect to have an indicative interim report by the end of August 2010, the headline findings of which will be presented at the Annual Conference of the Society of Archivists in September 2010.
Final draft report: we would expect to have the final draft report ready for presentation to the meeting of the BRA’s Council on 12 October 2010.
Final report: we would hope to publish this by early December 2010.
Further information
All enquiries should be addressed to Dr Anthony Smith by email at brrecass@btconnect.com, from whom further information about the project is available.
Dr Anthony Smith (Chair, Records Preservation Section)