Here's an invaluable blog post by Viv Dunstan, a historical researcher who is a wheelchair user, on her experience of using archives. Searchrooms are often small, cramped spaces which are tricky to get around. Staff are helpful but there is only so much they can do. She explains the value of good quality catalogues which … Continue reading Access All Areas? a user’s perspective on archives by wheelchair
Tiers for Fears: inter-library loans and Special Collections
Special Collections on inter-library loan? Surely not? But wait ... A new report from OCLC Research, Tiers for Fears: sensible, streamlined sharing of Special Collections*, shares the results of a 2010 survey on interlending of Special Collections. Historically such lending was mainly for exhibitions; now there is growing demand from researchers, thanks to increased visibility … Continue reading Tiers for Fears: inter-library loans and Special Collections
The Quick Wins Programme: keywords all over the world
Going for Gold: archive accreditation is here
Exciting news for archives managers! A new standard can help you improve your services and highlight your excellence. Find out more on the Archive Service Accreditation webpage and in this blog post by Melinda Haunton. Three things I like about the scheme: One size doesn't fit all. The scheme accommodates archives services of all shapes … Continue reading Going for Gold: archive accreditation is here
A Tumblr full of Gems
Delighted to reveal A Cabinet of Gems! It's our new Tumblr account. I'm using it to share appealing out-of-copyright images from Special Collections at Bradford, like this lovely 1920s girl on a photo wallet from the Jacquetta Hawkes Archive. Why (yet) another blog? I've realised for a while that I needed something to fill the … Continue reading A Tumblr full of Gems
Making the Case is Key for Music
This post from the Special Collections librarian at the Jerwood Library, Trinity Laban, is inspiring. It tells a story of hidden, neglected special collections which were a burden and a concern for library staff. The writer shows how making the collections visible and making the case for their support changed everything. It's particularly interesting that … Continue reading Making the Case is Key for Music
Dear Special Collections, your service is …
How do we find out what users (and non-users) think of our services? We need to know this in order to ensure our services meet their needs and to argue our case for resources to improve them. Pretty obvious stuff, but it can be hard to get that feedback, to manage it, and to make … Continue reading Dear Special Collections, your service is …
Salvaging Welsh Archives: latest on NLW fire
Latest on the National Library of Wales fire: this article on the BBC website which outlines the extent of the damage to collections and gives an insight into working practices and salvage processes. £5 million of damage was done and, sad to report, some archives were irreparably damaged by water and smoke. Lightly damaged material … Continue reading Salvaging Welsh Archives: latest on NLW fire
Thank you to Tim Padfield
No!!!!! The cry rose up from record offices and other archives across the land and emails and tweets flew, as archivists took in the message. On 23 April Tim Padfield, copyright expert at the National Archives, announced via the archives-nra mailing list that he would be retiring in May. Why were we concerned? Because Tim … Continue reading Thank you to Tim Padfield
Danger! Contractors at (Hot) Work!
Got the builders in? This greatly increases the risks of fire and water damage to your building and collections and services. And "hot work" activities such as the use of blowtorches or welding equipment are particularly risky. Two major fires in heritage organisations in recent weeks graphically illustrate this point. Fortunately no-one was hurt as … Continue reading Danger! Contractors at (Hot) Work!
The Special Collections Handbook 