Teresa's comments are much appreciated. Perhaps I can take up a couple of
points and flesh out some details.
I am grateful to several people in the archives world who have given us free
advice on specific issues. My background is in medical research and
information, and I am not an archivist. This is why, as Theresa has noted,
we have included a vacancy on our Governing Body for an archivist who has
the time and interest to become a trustee. We are a voluntary body and are
therefore dependent on private fundraising.
Although we were only set up earlier this year, we spent some considerable
time beforehand defining our policies and agreeing that we should aim for
the highest standards. In this process one or two archivists with an
interest in mills offered help, although time and financial pressures
limited their contributions. If anyone reading this has time to get
involved I would be interested to hear from them! One of our immediate needs
is to ensure our catalogue is being set up to an appropriate standard.
Although we can read the details of ISAD(G) etc, active experienced
professional support would ensure that we avoid major mistakes.
Even though we have only been going for a few months we spent a considerable
part of last year developing a plan, together with the NMR for Mills Archive
Online. It is this specific project that has attracted HLF support and I am
delighted to acknowledge the help we have had from Mike Evans and his
colleagues at the NMR in drawing up the application. Our proposal emphasised
that we are increasing public access to previously unavailable material and
developing new ways to promote understanding, enjoyment of heritage and
encouraging more participation.
I could go on at length about the value of volunteer labour, but I accept
Teresa's point about the need for professional input!
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: "Doherty, Ms Teresa" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2002 5:52 PM
Subject: New Archive for Traditional Mills
> Further to Gareth's message, (and latterly Ron's) I also had similar
> concerns after looking through the Mills website. On the one hand it is a
> well thought out site and there appears to be a well meaning organisation
> behind it. On the other hand, I could see no indication that a
professional
> archivist was actively involved in the project - either as an integral
part
> of the project or as a consultant. It may be that there is such
involvement
> and that the project is a 'good thing' - or it may be something we as
> archivists should be concerned about.
>
> On first reading the Collection Policy appears professional - [the] "Mills
> Archive Policy reflects that of The Society for the Protection of Ancient
> Buildings...The Mills Archive collections policy is based on the
Historical
> Manuscripts Commission's Standard for Record Repositories. In addition the
> physical care of the archive will accord as closely as possible with BS
5454
> 2000......" - as a statement of intent the Policy reads very well. It is
> only when you look for the active professional archive input that it
appears
> to be lacking - the Group is hoping that someone from the "Archive/Museum
> world" will join their Governing Body but to date there does not seem to
> have been any such input.
>
> The Group also advertises links with several reputable bodies, such as
> English Heritage's National Monuments Record, and the University of Kent.
> (Interestingly, the latter does not appear to have employed an Archivist
in
> the Special Collections at the University Library since the Follett
project
> was completed some time ago.) However, there appears to be a notable
> absence of involvement by bodies who could contribute with practical
archive
> advice born from tested experience - notably Local Authority Record
Offices,
> the Business Archives Council and/or the Business Records Group.
>
> The final point has to be that the Mill's Archive Trust may have the best
of
> intentions but without access to the necessary skills may not succeed in
the
> long term. Gareth's concerns are very practical and based on real issues
> and experience. It is very concerning that a sizable HLF Grant has been
> awarded, apparently without the necessity for active professional input
and
> support being in place from the very beginning of the project. Projects
> such as the Mill's Archive Trust deserve better advice and support than
> this.
>
> Hopefully Ron and his colleagues at the Mill's Archive will have an
> Archivist and a suitable 'home' sooner rather than later.
>
>
> Teresa Doherty
> Archivist, The Wellcome Foundation,
> The Wellcome Trust
> 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE.
> Telephone: +44 (0)20 7611 7340
> Mailto:[log in to unmask]
>
> Website: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk
> http://library.wellcome.ac.uk
>
> The Wellcome Trust is a registered charity, no. 210183.
> Its sole Trustee is The Wellcome Trust Limited, a company
> registered in England, no. 2711000, whose registered office
> is 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE.
>
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