Archive Service Accreditation - a new standard for heritage collections

Melinda Haunton and Isabel Wilson

Open Culture 3 July 2013

Archive Service

Accreditation

Why a new standard?

• Change in the sector: changes in governance, localism• Digital becoming BAU for preservation and access• Developmental not single-point assessment• A robust framework to facilitate forward planning, improving

procedures and policy and reducing organisational risk• Aiming at viability and visibility of services

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What are archives and why are they different?

• Definition – a function not a medium• Name for both collections and organisation • Terminology is awkward: scheme refers to

‘archive service’ – a broad term for organisations holding archive collections and providing a user offer

• Material has unique and irreplaceable evidential significance in individual items - so closed stores, research access, digitisation offer

• User experience is primarily exploration not exhibition

Developing the standard

• Sector co-creation• A ‘destruction document’• Webinars, workshops and forum debates• Lessons learned• Piloting across the UK: large and small, museums and libraries,

specialists, businesses and local authorities

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Structure

• Three modules:- 1. Organisational Health- 2. Collections- 3. Stakeholders and their experience

• Requirements under each module:- 1. Mission, governance, planning and resources (premises, finance and workforce)- 2. Policies, plans and procedures for collections (development, information and care)- 3. Access and engagement with the service’s identified community

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Spot the difference?• ‘Stakeholders’ – broader than users• ‘Community’ definition• Archive sector standards as appropriate • Private sector eligible – the archive sector mixed economy• Peer review introduced

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Ownership and implementation

• Governing committee recruited across the sector• Peer reviewers used in some home nations• Published June 2013, applications live summer 2013, anticipated

roll-out of at least 4 years• You’re the experienced ones – if you have archive colleagues,

help them out!• Future developments?

Must include digital-only archivesMight include levels (did not test well)Should include closer working and sharing with museum accreditation

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What about museums with archives?

1. Some museums hold archives and are approved places of deposit

2. Some museums and archives are integrated services

3. Some museums have archives

4. Lots of museums’ collections contain some archival type material

How do the two Accreditation schemes interlink?

• Structure and ethos is the same

• Branding will be complementary

• Exploring data sharing

• Timetabling

• Memorandum of understanding for joint working

Find out more:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/archive-service-accreditation.htm

accreditation@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

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Footcase, Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology. Photo: UCl, Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology

Thank you

Isabel WilsonSenior Manager Quality & Standardsisabel.wilson@artscouncil.org.uk

Melinda HauntonProgramme Manager (Archive Service Accreditation)Melinda.haunton@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk