The following notice sets out details of the continuing refurbishment of
General Register House. There will be a period from 1-12 May when the
building will be closed to the public and a further period from 15 May to 9
June when service to readers will be limited. Colleagues are asked to
disseminate this information as widely as possible.

   REFURBISHMENT OF HM GENERAL REGISTER HOUSE

Preparations are underway for the next stage of the refurbishment of HM
General Register House. This will comprise: the replacement of the present
antiquated electrical system, including a major enhancement of the supply to
the Historical Search Room; the replacement of the heating system made
necessary by, among other things, the severance of the link with the former
New St Andrew's House; and the installation of air-conditioning to selected
parts of the building.

Because the heating system is involved, it will be necessary to carry on
works outside the heating period, i.e. during the summer months of next
year, and it will be impossible to avoid disruption to reader services
during that time. It is intended that the following arrangements will be
made:

	*	For the two weeks from Monday 1 May to Friday 12 May 2000
inclusive, the Historical Search Room and all its attendant facilities will
be closed to the public. This will be offset by the abandonment of the
normal stocktaking period during the first two weeks of November.

	*	For the four weeks after that, i.e. from Monday 15 May to
Friday 9 June 2000 inclusive, the Historical Search Room will remain closed,
but it is hoped that a limited service to readers will be provided in what
is currently the Electronic Search Room in the Robertson Wing.

	*	Throughout the summer, certain classes of records, yet to be
determined, may for a time be unavailable to readers.

	*	For a period yet to be determined, reprographic facilities
may have to be restricted.

	*	The Legal Search Room is not directly affected by these
provisions, but the movement of material for copying between the Search Room
and the Reprographic Section may from time to time be disrupted, with
consequent delays.

We apologise to readers for the inconvenience these arrangements may cause,
but hope that they will have patience with us as we seek to bring the fabric
of this historic building up to the standard it deserves. Further
information can be obtained by contacting Historical Search Room staff on
0131-535-1334 or by e-mailing: [log in to unmask]


Patrick Cadell
Keeper of the Records of Scotland
   

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