This post is a revised version of a briefing I wrote for colleagues a few months ago. My research included asking members of the archives-nra mailing list whether and how their organisation was archiving its corporate website. It emerged that few organisations are actively doing this, but many archivists would like to know more. So … Continue reading Why and how to archive your university’s website: an overview for absolute beginners
Tag: Preservation
Fika and futures
Over the past five years, it's been a delight to see the Handbook reaching audiences way beyond the UK. For instance, last year I was invited to speak at a seminar in Stockholm sharing perspectives on rare books librarianship with a group of (mostly) Swedish librarians. The paper I gave has just been published, along … Continue reading Fika and futures
Bye Bye Basement!
Fingers crossed and all that, my service, Special Collections at the University of Bradford, should get our long-awaited new premises in 2016. Hooray! Our project is part of a wider programme which will transform the lower floors of our 1970s Library to meet the needs of modern students. Before: rambling, dark mazes full of odd … Continue reading Bye Bye Basement!
Collection Care at the British Library
The British Library's Preservation Advisory Centre was closed in March 2014. Concerns about the loss of this valuable service were raised by many organisations and individuals. It is a pity that it has not proved possible to find a way to fund it though it is good to note that the publications (such as the … Continue reading Collection Care at the British Library
BLPAC to close
Bad news: the British Library's Preservation Advisory Centre is to close at the end of March. See the statement on their website. If you've read the Handbook, you'll know how much I value BLPAC's work, especially the really useful free booklets and training courses. They've also been an important cross-sector advocate for thinking strategically about … Continue reading BLPAC to close
Code of Practice for Cultural Collections Management
Oops! I realise I haven't mentioned the Code of Practice for Cultural Collections Management (PAS 197: 2009). The Code is relevant to libraries, archives and museums, and offers a strategic framework for senior managers on collection management, development, information (i.e. cataloguing/metadata) and care. PAS 197 underlies the new archives accreditation standard, which is why I … Continue reading Code of Practice for Cultural Collections Management
We ALL Hate Mr Clippy: the horrors of paperclips
Anyone caring for archives will know the horrors of rusty staples and paperclips or claggy broken rubber bands, which riddle most modern collections. In this great blog post, "Why I Hate Mr Clippy", Beth Doyle of Duke University Libraries explains the mischief these fasteners do and shares some tips for dealing with them quickly and … Continue reading We ALL Hate Mr Clippy: the horrors of paperclips
Too Many Collections, So Little Time?
Are you struggling with increasing numbers of users, demand for digital, crumbling collections, unsuitable storage space, intellectual property conundrums, born-digital collections, lack of skills, pressure of public sector cuts and recession ...? You are not alone! Two essential new reports reveal the challenges faced by UK special collections and archives and give us the evidence … Continue reading Too Many Collections, So Little Time?
From Ewww to Wow!: funding preservation work
Out of all the things special collections do, I believe the easiest one to raise funds for is preservation (compared to other areas, no fundraising is easy these days!). It is something that naturally resonates with the public and is popular with many funders - and even small sums of money can make a noticeable … Continue reading From Ewww to Wow!: funding preservation work
Modernising Copyright: the White Paper is published
Important and good news for UK special collections services and their users. The UK government has just published the final part of its response to consultations following the Hargreaves review of intellectual property: Modernising copyright: a modern, robust and flexible framework. While not addressing underlying problems of copyright, the changes outlined allow a wider range … Continue reading Modernising Copyright: the White Paper is published
The Special Collections Handbook 