The following briefing paper was forwarded on behalf of Tina Sawyer -
Consultant for the London Signpost (Archives) Project. If you would like to
be involved in the consultation process that she is undertaking (outlined
below), please reply directly to: Tina Sawyer, Consultant, London Signpost
Project,
Email:  [log in to unmask]; Telephone:  020 8318 4597; Mobile: 07968
796730

*****
BRIEFING FOR THE LONDON SIGNPOST AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME CONSULTATION

Background:
The London region is fortunate in its rich archival heritage, containing
about a third of the nation's archives.  The AIM25 project (www.aim25.ac.uk)
is based at King's College, London and began as a project supported by the
Research Support Libraries Programme (RSLP) to provide a web-accessible
database of descriptions of the archives and manuscript collections of the
principal colleges and schools of the University of London, of other
universities and colleges in London and the surrounding area bounded by the
M25 London orbital motorway, and of some of the royal colleges and societies
of medicine and science based in London.  The London Signpost project is an
initiative to broaden the scope of this project to include a wider range of
archive collections within the London region, the ultimate goal being to
create a database holding fonds-level (collection) descriptions of all
archival collections in London.

A pilot project, funded by LARC (London Archives Regional Council), was
carried out between July and November 2003 to undertake additional survey
work with 35 specialist repositories.  This pilot was designed to
demonstrate the feasibility of using the AIM25 methodology and database
amongst a range of smaller repositories.  We are now at the next stage of
the project, which is to create a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Heritage Grant
bid to allow for the extension of the catalogue to some thirty interested
parties.  King's College and the London Metropolitan Archives are the lead
partners in the bid and will focus on their areas of expertise in the
technical and cataloguing aspects of the project. LARC has appointed a
consultant, Tina Sawyer, to work up the application to HLF and to research
and write an audience development plan.

Consultation:
The audience development plan will be based on consultation with
stakeholders, users and non-users of archives.  It will show how, through a
programme of events, activities and resources, the project will improve
access to collections, attract new audiences and promote knowledge and
understanding of London's rich heritage.

At present, there is a blank sheet of paper and the options are endless but
could include:
* a learning zone on the AIM25 site which could include:
- a beginners' guide to using archives & advice on making effective searches
- information about working as an archivist or conservator; caring for
documents at home
- sample activities for different audiences eg: lesson plans for teachers,
activities for families etc
* a joint marketing initiative
* a London Signpost education group
* a programme of events associated with the project
* a lecture series based on the collections
* an education and outreach officer post for three to five years to:
- run training for archive staff on: writing a policy for learning; working
with different audiences, marketing etc
- assess individual collections for their potential to support learning
- help to identify and target new audiences
- facilitate flagship events for archives working in partnership.  These
could be part of national events eg: National Science week, Family Learning
Weekend
- identify common themes within the different repositories and to develop
partnership projects
- evaluate the work
- identify and build partnerships with other related organisations
- develop materials for the learning zone
- support joint marketing.

How can you help?
During January and February 2004, Tina Sawyer will be running a series of
consultation meetings with stakeholders, network groups and users and
non-users of archives.  If you are interested in attending a consultation
meeting please email Tina (contact details below).  Alternatively, ring her
and talk through your ideas.

If you are an archive, you can help if you have:
* already run successful learning programmes for users
* tried unsuccessfully to attract new users
* ideas for working in new ways with your collections but have been unable
to put them into practice
* an opinion about learning and the London Signpost project
* doubts about how this work can benefit you
* built effective partnerships that have allowed you to work in new ways and
that could be models for London Signpost
* links to a network that has a meeting during January or February that Tina
Sawyer could attend.

If you are a user of archives, you can help if you have:
* links to a network that has a meeting during January or February that Tina
Sawyer could attend
* ideas on what sort of learning resources or activities might be useful or
interesting
* something to tell us about how you use archives and what works for you.

If you do not use archives, you can help by:
* telling us what do you think are the barriers to using archives
* talking to us about what sort of activities and resources would encourage
you to use archives.

Contact:  Tina Sawyer, Consultant, London Signpost Project
Email:  [log in to unmask]
Telephone:  020 8318 4597
Mobile: 07968 796730