Classification: Saudi Aramco Public



Does the ARA have any guidance that relates to charging researchers for access? Glancing over the NCA Standard for Access for Archives (2008), and the ARA Code of Ethics (2016) I couldn't see any statement specifically relating to the charging of fees.



Over in the States, section 5 of the SAA Statement on Access specifically covers fees: https://www2.archivists.org/statements/alasaa-joint-statement-on-access-to-research-materials-in-archives-and-special-collection



Regarding the matter of exclusion, it seems challenging to make a case that people are economically excluded from a service if a range of times for free access is also being offered alongside chargeable time periods. As Daniel states, visitor numbers have fallen dramatically - that being the case, it is problematic for a service to ethically justify maintenance of the status quo when its budget is drawn from the public purse and there is necessity to optimise that finite resource for public benefit. In this way we ought to look beyond ourselves and the vested interests of our small profession as best we can.



Adam



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Subject: Re: Northamptonshire Archives Services



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I'd like to second Tamsin that the sector's response should be a formal objection, led by ARA.  Charging for onsite access is not a precedent I'd like to see, this set up seems to be both impractical for researchers (not even getting a whole day) as well as excluding anyone on a lower income.  I imagine very few record offices have the visitor figures which would allow them to fundraise effectively by charging for access - will they even break even with staff costs on a quiet day? As a sector, we really need to object to this strongly and I hope ARA will be visible in doing so.



Ruth



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This email has been classified as Saudi Aramco: Public by Reynolds, Adam on Thursday, July 27, 2017 3:51:26 PM





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