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National Council on Archives News from Council April 2004 At the Council meeting held in London on 21 April 2004 the following matters were discussed. The Archives Task Force Report, launched on 24 March, was discussed at length. MLA is organising a mailing of copies and, together with the appendices, the Report is available on the MLA web site <www.mla.gov.uk/action/archives/atf>. MLA archives team is also working on the implementation plan. NCA broadly welcomed the ATF recommendations, endorsed the need to raise the profile of archives and create greater diversity of use, and the importance of providing more online access. The Archives Gateway project was welcomed, while emphasising the clear links to the National Archives Network plan and the many existing (and proposed future) elements. NCA had concerns over the existing capacity of the domain to take forward these initiatives and would wish to pursue ways of funding infrastructure requirements, including capital investment and cataloguing, and developing strategic leadership for the domain, as well as the initiatives identified in the ATF recommendations. NCA agreed to take action by writing to the Minister, Tessa Jowell, and to Mark Wood, MLA Chairman; by sending an NCA Briefing to MPs and peers; by writing to regional agencies and to NCA member bodies drawing attention to the Report; and by having a further discussion at July Council about specific actions which NCA wishes to take to follow up ATF recommendations. The UK Audio Visual Framework Strategy was discussed, available at <www.bufvc.ac.uk/faf/HiddenTreasures.> It was hoped that funding might become available for a project officer to support the development of audio visual archives in the UK. The Chairman and David Thomas reported on a meeting of a new Digital Preservation Working Group, hosted by TNA and chaired by NCA, which grew out of the TNA seminars on digital preservation in November and January. The Group plans to prepare guidance on digital storage in the UK, model contract(s) for digital archive service providers and a checklist for data storage software. These would be presented within the context of a report on the future of digital archive services which would set out funding priorities and identify existing expertise, resources and pilot projects. Reports from the Policy and Development Officer and the Archive Lottery Adviser were accepted. It was noted that HLF's future after its warrant expired in 2009 was uncertain and member bodies were urged to raise awareness of the significance of the heritage fund to archives. The resignation of Vic Gray, honorary member of the Council and former Chairman, was accepted with great regret. The next meeting of the Council will be in London on 21 July 2004. For further information, contact Elizabeth Shepherd, Press and Publicity Officer for NCA. Elizabeth Shepherd MA, BA, DMS, DAS, ILTM, RMSA senior lecturer in archives and records management School of Library, Archive and Information Studies University College London Gower Street London WC1E 6BT tel: +020 7679 2945 fax: +020 7383 0557 http://www.slais.ucl.ac.uk/ Please note that Elizabeth works part-time. Her usual work days are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.