Saturday, August 15, 2009

Note: Changes at The National Archives, UK

I would like to alert Med-Grad members to proposed changes at The National Archives, Kew (UK) that have immense potential to impact on historians working on English history of any period of government record. TNA has decided to cut its budget by 10%, by reducing access to materials, opening hours, and the number specialist staff, among other things. Fuller details of the proposed changes are on the website: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/changes-general-info.htm

Please circulate this information as widely as possible and encourage anyone with an interest to consult the proposal document and make their response to the given email address (changes@nationalarchives.gov.uk) as soon as possible. The consultation period runs only 'until September'.

A campaign website www.action4archives.com has been established, which will provide more information as it comes to hand, as well as a petition which can be signed online. You can also read their campaign statement: http://action4archives.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Action4Archives_campaign_statement.pdf

Kathleen Neal

PhD Candidate
School of Historical Studies
Monash Univeristy
Australia

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