For Immediate Release                                                   Contact:  Emma Wright

                                                                                        020 7273 1459

Resource Funds Review of Recruitment, Training and Leadership in UK Archives

London, 21 May 2002 - Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries has commissioned the National Council on Archives (NCA) to carry out a comprehensive review of the recruitment, training and leadership within the UK archive sector.  The study will identify the underpinning problems, recommend actions to combat them and suggest a plan of implementation. 

The review comes in response to a need for strategic direction in the area of training and recruitment across the archive profession.  It will also enable archivists to respond positively to the changing information environment and will help them to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Justin Frost, Archives Adviser at Resource, commented:  "The time is ripe for an in-depth investigation into the way in which archive professionals are trained and are, throughout their career, exposed to opportunities to develop new skills.  We look forward to working with the NCA on this important issue."

The project will be managed by Margaret Turner, currently Secretary of the National Council on Archives, and formerly City Archivist of Sheffield.  Nick Kingsley, Chair of the NCA, said:  "We are delighted to see this work going ahead now.  Evidence of a crisis in the recruitment and training of archivists, records managers and conservators has been building up.  We will work with Resource and the wider sector to look at why this is and to set out a comprehensive action plan to address this set of related problems."

A seminar to discuss interim findings will be held in autumn 2002.  The final report will be published in spring 2003.

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Notes to editors:

For further information or to interview Justin Frost, please contact Emma Wright, Resource's Media and Events Manager, on 020 7273 1459 or email [log in to unmask]

Resource provides the strategic leadership, advocacy and advice to enable museums, archives and libraries to touch people's lives and inspire their imagination, learning and creativity. 

The Resource website can be viewed at <http://www.resource.gov.uk>.

The National Council on Archives was set up in 1988 to provide a co-ordinated voice for the major bodies and organisations concerned with the care, custody and use of archives.  The NCA website can be viewed at <http://nca.archives.org.uk>.

22/02

Emma Wright

Media and Events Manager

Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries

16 Queen Anne's Gate

London  SW1H 9AA

Direct line 020 7273 1459

Switchboard 020 7273 1444

Email: [log in to unmask]

Website: www.resource.gov.uk

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Resource: The Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries

16 Queen Anne's Gate

London

SW1H 9AA

Tel 02072731444

Website: http://www.resource.gov.uk