Archived decisions

Contact: Janet Smith tel. 01962 846154

1. Summary

1.1 In March 2004 the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) published the report of the Archives Task Force `Listening to the Past, Speaking to the Future' which provides a framework for the future development of archives across the UK. It parallels similar reports on regional museums (`Renaissance in the Regions') and on the public library sector (`Framework for the Future') which have been reported to the Policy Review Committee in 2002 and 2003.

1.2 `Listening to the Past, Speaking to the Future' (henceforth `the Report') indicates the direction in which archive services will be encouraged to develop over the next three years and beyond, and thus supports Aim 5 of the County Council's Corporate Strategy (Improving Services).

2. Listening to the Past, Speaking to the Future

2.1 The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council was invited by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to establish the Archives Task Force to "...carry out an in-depth analysis and review of the state of the UK's unique and diverse archives." This review took place during 2003/04 through extensive consultation with archive professionals, active users of archives and others working with archive collections across the country.

2.2 An online copy of the Report is available on the web site of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council at www.mla.gov.uk.

2.3 It sets out a simple vision for the future:

· to make archive collections across the UK readily accessible to everyone

· to develop new ways for users to access the collections

· to demonstrate how the archives domain can support specific public service targets through social, educational and economic impact

2.4 It makes a series of recommendations, including the following:

- create a digital Gateway to UK archives as an entry point for anyone seeking archive material

(a 3-year programme to be funded partly by the Lottery distributors)

- promote the value of archives as key contributors to social and economic objectives (local, regional and national)

- release the potential of archives to enrich teaching and learning and to raise standards in education

- increase community participation in archives, particularly in hard-to-reach communities

- encourage the creation and sustainability of moving image, sound, photographic and digital archives

- encourage the development of business, specialist and private archives

- support the modernisation of services and improve workforce development opportunities

3. Next steps

3.1 The Report indicates projected levels of expenditure across the years 2004-07 in order to deliver the actions detailed in the Report. The aim is to stimulate funding through an Archive Development Programme aiming for £500,000 - £1 million a year over 3 years; this is in addition to £10 million proposed for the digital Gateway to Archives.

3.2 The Archives Task Force recognises that there is currently considerable pressure to resist increased public expenditure without clear evidence to show that new innovations will help to deliver specific public sector targets. It therefore proposes strategies to secure impact in the short to medium term in order to unlock longer term benefits.

3.3 MLA is currently working on the creation of an Archive Development Plan to draw up actions to the deliver the Report's recommendations. Support for this will be sought by MLA and the regional agencies from national agencies and private sector sponsors. They are also investigating the establishment of a UK Archive Forum, comprising representatives from the four home nations, to co-ordinate work on the Gateway to Archives and on delivery of the Report's recommendations.

4. Conclusion

4.1 `Listening to the Past, Speaking to the Future' is the first comprehensive and detailed survey of archives in the UK and as such it is a significant milestone in the history of archive provision in this country. It sets out a national agenda for the development of archives over the next three years and beyond. It thus provides a clear pointer to the future for local authority archive services and all others concerned with our archive heritage.

Recommendation

That the Archives Task Force Report `Listening to the Past, Speaking to the Future' be supported.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. the list excludes:

1. Published works.

2. Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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