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Dear Colleagues, I’d be very grateful if anybody would be willing to share with me their thoughts and opinions on taking original archive material off-site for the use of learning and education sessions in local schools. Here at Newcastle University Library Special Collections we are currently embarking on a two-year pilot Education programme. So far this has involved some successful school visits to the library where pupils have been able to view and use original material on-site in our Special Collections Reading Room, under supervision by an archivist. Our Education Officer is keen to explore the possibility of going out to local schools to conduct similar sessions. Although I do have concerns about the idea of taking original material off- site, I am interested to hear the thoughts of others involved in archives/ education work. All the case studies I have come across which involve the use of original material seem to be based on-site, but I am wondering whether anybody out there has allowed material to go off-site and, if so, what kind of conditions (if any) have been applied to the situation? Have you found it to be more difficult to supervise the use of material? Have you been able to ensure careful handling of material? Has your selection of material been governed by the fact that it will be taken off-site? Do you think the age-group of the children involved makes a difference? Have you insisted on the material being accompanied by an archivist at all times? I’d be very grateful to hear your thoughts on the above and I’ll be happy to summarise the responses I receive for the list. Best wishes, Geraldine Hunwick Geraldine Hunwick Archivist & Assistant Special Collections Librarian Robinson Library Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HQ United Kingdom tel. (0191) 222 3516 email [log in to unmask]