-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Heyworth [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 16 March 2000 17:35
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask];
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Subject: 'Mapping Information Resources' (HEIRNET report)
[apologies for cross-posting]
Historic Environment Information Resources Network (HEIRNET)
c/o Council for British Archaeology, 111 Walmgate, York YO1 9WA, tel 01904
671417, email [log in to unmask]
A report commissioned by HEIRNET, entitled 'Mapping Information Resources'
is now available on the HEIRNET web site at
http://www.britarch.ac.uk/HEIRNET. The report, by David Baker, Gill
Chitty, Julian Richards and Damian Robinson, was intended as an
information-gathering exercise to inform the deliberations of HEIRNET, and
to enable it to make judgements about its future direction.
HEIRNET was formed in 1998 by the Council for British Archaeology in
response to the realisation that many bodies, official or unofficial, at
local, regional and national level, were creating or had already created
information systems and collections of data relating to the "historic
environment" (taken to mean heritage information in a broad sense,
including that possessed by national agencies, museums, libraries,
universities, local and national societies, and other organisations). The
intention was to encourage joint approaches to information strategy and
data collection, to reduce duplication of effort, and to develop a
strategic vision for information resources relating to the historic
environment in the UK (HEIRs). Membership of HEIRNET was intended to be as
broad as possible, so that all those with an interest in the historic
environment, and in a position to contribute to and benefit from its
activities, could be involved. From the outset, all the relevant national
bodies (the DCMS, English Heritage, Historic Scotland, Cadw, the Northern
Ireland Environment and Heritage Service, the Royal Commissions, the MGC
and mda, ALGAO, ARIA, SCAUM, and other bodies such as the ADS, IFA, IHBC &
SMA) agreed to take part in the discussions.
Before these goals could be achieved, it was felt that the nature of the
problem needed to be assessed, by means of a mapping exercise which would
give an idea of the scope of existing HEIRs, and the scale of the task
which would face any future initiative attempting to co-ordinate
activities. Thanks to financial support from a number of member
organisations (notably English Heritage), the present report was
commissioned, and presented to (and accepted by) a meeting of HEIRNET on 11
January 2000.
You will see that a number of recommendations are made by the
consultants. While HEIRs should and must develop independently, according
to the perceived needs of their users, it is recommended that a central
register of them should be maintained, and that a technical advisory
facility should be made available to facilitate communication,
interoperability (using the Dublin core), and the production of
high-quality information. Funding for this facility will need to be
sought. In the meantime, agencies that fund projects which generate or use
information systems should ensure both that levels of funding for the
systems are adequate, and that the systems conform to prevailing procedures
and standards.
It is intended, if agreement is reached at its next meeting in April, that
a conference should be held later this year, to discuss the issues involved
in a wider forum, and to take the recommendations forward for action.
Prof Anthony Harding
Chair, HEIRNET
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Dr Mike Heyworth Council for British Archaeology
Bowes Morrell House, 111 Walmgate, York YO1 9WA, UK
Tel: +44 1904 671417 Fax: +44 1904 671384
http://www.britarch.ac.uk
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