Hi all,

 

Yes, the omission of archives in the MLA announcement was noted and discussed last week on the archives-nra list. Here is the response from the Archives and Records Association (formerly the Society of Archivists), for those of you who are interested. You can browse the list via www.jiscmail.ac.uk Incidentally, people didn't seem to think that libraries were a particularly good fit for ACE either...

 

Charlotte Berry

Archivist, Alfred Gillett Trust (C & J Clark Ltd)

 

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As ARA Members will be aware from various reports, that officers have had meetings with the Minister, DCMS officials, MLA and TNA concerning the future of government support for the sector.

Whilst these matters are currently the subject of high-level and delicate negotiations and discussions, ARA remains confident that a successful outcome will be reached. Already we can report that our aim of ensuring that archives do not end up disappearing into the Arts Council (a body which by its own admission does not have any experience or expertise in the field). The omission of archives from the list of work areas going from MLA to ACE is to be welcomed.

The discussions relating to the exact shape of government support for archives post-MLA are neat to completion and ARA will be meeting with the Minister, as well as partner bodies, in the New Year and we will report back to Members as matters progress.

In the meantime, if Members have any concerns or would like to know more about the current activities ARA is involved in, please do not hesitate to contact me.

For bodies who are on the ARA Consultative Forum, a further briefing note will be circulated at the same time as the one to Members.

Rene Kinzett
Head of Public Affairs
Archives & Records Association