scottisharchives.org.uk

The SCA is currently looking at putting in place a long term mechanism for the maintenance, updating and development of the SCA Scottish Local Authority Record Retention Schedules. This mechanism will address omissions, errors, amended legislation and changes within the SLA and broader Scottish public sector environment and ensure that the schedules continue to be fit for purpose. 

As part of this process, we are seeking feedback on the practical application of the schedules, not just by records managers and archivists, but also by the wide range of staff in the various SLA services that carry out records retention activities as part of their own role. These activities can include formal appraisal, approval and the actioning of disposal decisions.

If you have been using the schedules within your organisation and have noted any errors, required amendments or additions, we want to hear from you.

How to submit feedback:

·         To submit feedback on the schedules, please download a copy of the spreadsheet here.

·         On the first sheet, please enter your organisational information and contact details.

·         On the second sheet, you will be able to copy and paste direct from the existing schedules. Please copy and paste any items from the schedules where you have noted any errors, required amendments or additions. Please also include any comments or relevant references.

Deadline:

Please submit your feedback spreadsheet via email to info@scoarch.org.uk by 30 March 2012.

If you have any queries concerning this, email Victoria.Brown@scoarch.org.uk

Thank you in advance for your co-operation, and thanks to those who have submitted feedback over the past months.

The free clinics are aimed at potential Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers (PACR) candidates who are working towards a PACR application deadline.

This event will support candidates with their PACR application, address any queries and provide a useful insight to the accreditation process
 
‘ACR’ means the conservator can demonstrate a proficient level of competence, sound judgement and an in-depth knowledge of the principles which underpin conservation practice

The clinic will be held at the University of Glasgow Library. To book and for further information please visit the Institute of Conservation (ICON) website or email pacr@icon.org.uk

Registration is now open for the ARA 2012 conference which will take place in The Grand Hotel Brighton from 29 to 31 August. 

The three-day conference – Progression, Innovation and New Landscapes – has both Archives/Records and Conservation strands and  includes the popular Information Market Place. Conference speakers will come to Brighton from the US, Germany and all parts of the UK.

ARA members booking for full conference attendance including accommodation before Friday 20 April will qualify for the Earlybird rate of £500.  A number of sea-view rooms are available and these rooms will be allocated first to reward early booking.

The 2011 conference in Edinburgh was sold out and feedback was very positive – book now to avoid disappointment.

See the full conference programme and book online at http://www.archives.org.uk/ara-conference/the-ara-conference.html.

Orkney Pancakes (Makes About 10)

2 Eggs                                      110g Plain Flour

50g Melted Butter                200ml Milk

Half a Grated Nutmeg          Dash of Brandy (optional)

Whisk the eggs into the flour and gradually add the milk and continue to whisk until the batter is smooth. Mix in the brandy and nutmeg.

Ladle quantities of the batter into a hot pan, greased with the butter. Each pancake will take less than 30 seconds, flipping in between.

As the original recipe says, “… let your pann be hot and serve them up nicely …”

Orkney Islands Council – Library and Archive 

The archives of Orkney Islands Council holds a wealth of historical records and information relating to the region. The recipe for pancakes comes from a cookery book held within the papers associated with Walter Traill Dennison (1825-1894), a farmer, local historian, short story writer, poet, folklorist and religious leader.

The front and back covers explain a little about the owner of the recipe book—a note on the cover states that it belonged to Margaret Traill, daughter of John Traill of Elsness, who married James Traill of Woodwick in 1712.

www.orkneylibrary.org.uk/html/archive.htm

For more wonderful archive recipes, visit the Edible Archive pages of our website here

The online platform that brings together stakeholders from across the UK to debate and create the new Archives Accreditation standard is live from today. You can contribute your views and expertise here http://www.dialogue-app.com/archivesaccreditation

This is not about consultation.  Instead this is a new way of working that allows partners and stakeholders to engage in ongoing discussion, constructive debate and collaboration and, together, define the new standard.

Each week a new topic will be introduced as we systematically build the standard section by section.  So don’t forget to keep coming back.  Or join the Twitter debate at #archivesaccreditn

A final reminder, if you would like to attend the webinar, which introduces the process, it is taking place 9 February, 10:00-12:00.  You will need a computer with internet access, and a sound card.  If you have never attended an Adobe Connect meeting before you can test your connection online and get a quick overview.  To receive an invitation to the webinar please email info@janicetullock.co.uk.

An overview of the Accreditation scheme project can be found at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/our-services/archives-accreditation-scheme.htm

We look forward to working with you in defining what it means to be an archive in the 21^st Century.

Do you want peer recognition for excellence?  Do you need evidence to show your effective engagement with volunteers?  If so, why not nominate your archive service for the ARA Archive Volunteering Award?

Winners will have a national platform to celebrate their volunteers’ contribution to the service and gain publicity for their archive’s role in supporting individuals and community through volunteering programmes.

The Archives and Records Association seeks to celebrate the role of volunteers in supporting archive services, and to collect good practice case studies to inform the wider sector.  This award is a key strand of the work of ARA’s PSQG sub-committee on Volunteering, bringing to life the recommendations of NCA’s 2009 Volunteering in Archives report.  The award is also supported by The National Archives, CyMAL: Museums Archives and Libraries Wales (a division of the Welsh Government), and the Scottish Council on Archives. 

Cementing ARA’s new position in the archive sector, this award is open to archives across the United Kingdom and Ireland.  Awards will be publicised widely throughout and beyond the sector.

We welcome nominations for the award.  A short nomination form is available from the ARA website http://www.archives.org.uk/campaigns/volunteering-awards.html and organisations may nominate projects, or ongoing volunteer programmes, that ran during 2011/12.

Nominations will be assessed against three key outcomes:

A) Impact on volunteers

B) Impact on service

C) Wider impact

Completed nomination forms need to be returned to volunteeringaward@archives.org.uk by the end of National Volunteers Week – 7 June 2012.

If you have any queries about the award please contact Sally Bevan, Volunteering Awards Administrator, (020 7332 3820) or via volunteeringaward@archives.org.uk

The National Archives (TNA) is working with many partners to ensure that records created before, during and after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Cultural Olympiad are properly managed, permanently preserved, and appropriately shared – wherever these records are held.

TNA have produced 3 draft guidance notes to support this work. They are seeking feedback on the drafts as part of our review of web resources and online guidance. They aim to publish these as part of a commitment to support the care and development of archival collections and services.

Archives Principles and Practice: an introduction to archives for non-archivists:

The purpose of this guide is to support people who own or look after archive material. It will help them to assess and plan for the care and development of collections of all sizes – from a small storage cupboard to the contents of a large storeroom.

This guidance is mainly aimed at people who look after or own archives, but who are not professional archivists and need some simple guidance. It may also be useful to heritage professionals who have archives in their care and need guidance to improve what they can do.  Finally, this note may help archivists in small organisations explain requirements to their colleagues and parent bodies.

Web Archiving Guidance explains what web archiving is and how it can be used to capture information which is published online. It is aimed at people who are new to the concept of web archiving, and those who may have heard about it, but are unsure of potential options and methods available.

It is suitable for archivists, records managers and those with responsibility for archives, records and information. It is also suitable for people who maintain their own websites.

Collection Development toolkit and guidance:

These tools and guidance have been developed by The National Archives to help organisations and groups to:

• review and develop their collections
• identify gaps and risks
• safeguard their collections
• consider short and long-term needs for preservation and access

It encourages collection development to ensure that diverse aspects of modern life are represented within archives. It is aimed at both established and new archive collections and services. It may be useful to any organisation keen to develop and safeguard their archives.

The draft guidance is available online here: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/projects-and-work/guidance-feedback.htm

Further information on TNS’s work to secure a network of distributed collections related to the 2012 Games and Cultural Olympiad is available online here: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/policies/cultural-olympiad.htm

Feedback is welcomed by 12th February, 5pm.

The SCA is working towards its Strategic Framework  for 2012-2014. There will be  a consultation event on Wednesday, 11 January 2012, in the Mitchell Library Glasgow (11.00am-4.00pm).

This is your chance to help shape the future of Scottish archives and records through in-depth discussion of the guiding principles, vision, themes and objectives which will shape how the SCA moves forward  over the next three years. Clarity of purpose, effective advocacy and service delivery have never been more important than at this time of severely constrained resources. It is essential that the strategy reflects the needs and aspirations of the entire sector and all its stakeholders.

Only broad representation from across the sector can ensure that successful outcome. Your views are important and your attendance at the event would be very much appreciated. Please RSVP to Ben.Bennett@scoarch.org.uk by the 5 January 2012, indicating any dietary requirements (lunch will be provided).

Thank you for your time and kind regards.

Dr Irene O’Brien, SCA Chair.

SCOTTISH COUNCIL ON ARCHIVES

General Register House, 2 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3YY

T:    0131 535 1362

ALMA-UK Economic Impact Toolkit Workshops

22 February 2012 Edinburgh & 23 February 2012 Perth

Cultural organisations are under increasing pressure to supply robust evidence to demonstrate their contribution to the economy and public life, in order to ward off budget cuts and attract external funding. Research commissioned by ALMA-UK aimed to provide museums, libraries and archives with user-friendly toolkits, to help them create transparent, locally-relevant impact reports capable of withstanding economists’ scrutiny.

Museums Galleries Scotland and the Scottish Council on Archives are jointly hosting free workshops for those interested in learning more about the recently developed ALMA-UK Economic Impact Toolkit (xls) which is now available, together with a guidance document (pdf).

The workshops will be lead by Oliver Allies; the consultant commissioned to develop the Economic Impact Toolkit for Museums and Archives and will cover the following:

1. Economic impact – what is it and why do it?

2. Overview: The Economic Impact Toolkit for Museums and Archives

3. Trial exercise with a fictional museum/archive

4. How to strengthen your impact assessment

5. Q & A

Each workshop will run for approximately an hour and a half with spaces available at the following locations, dates and times:

Wednesday 22 February 2012

National Records of Scotland, General Register House, 2 Princes Street, Edinburgh

Morning Session: 11:00am – 12:30pm

Afternoon Session: 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Thursday 23 February 2012

The Best Western Queen’s Hotel, Leonard Street, Perth

Morning Session: 10:30am-12:00pm

Afternoon Session: 1:30pm-3:00pm

Please note that places are very limited. Although lunch will not be provided, tea and coffee will be available.

Please send your details and preferred time and location to:

Victoria Brown, Research Officer, Scottish Council on Archives

Email: info@scoarch.org.uk

Telephone: 0131 535 1362

The leaders of the UK’s national archives met with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Archives and History (an informal cross-party group run for and by members of the Commons and Lords) on 5 December to brief them on the successes and challenges of the UK archive sector and to take their questions. The MPs and Lords who attended were joined by a small audience of archivists and historians.

The 90 minute meeting with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Archives and History was a first. Chairman Dr Hywel Francis thanked the speakers warmly for their time and for the work they do. He assured them that the APPG was hugely supportive and could be called upon as friends.

A full report on the event will be published in the next edition (Issue 10) of the SCA’s newsletter, Broadsheet and on the Archives and Records Association website