Cataloguing projects

The National Archives' Cataloguing Strategy

The overall objective of our cataloguing work is to deliver more comprehensive and searchable catalogues, thus improving access to public records. To make online searches work well we need to provide adequate data and prioritise cataloguing work that tackles less adequate descriptions. For example, we regard ranges of abbreviated names or file numbers as inadequate.

The National Archives Cataloguing Strategy Panel looks at how well projects would improve the searchability of our content and how well they meet business and user needs. The Panel assesses proposals for cataloguing projects, assigning priorities and reviewing progress.

Our projects

Find out more about the work we've been doing to enhance the catalogue:

Submitting a project proposal

Although we would like to encourage a wide range of catalogue users to send their suggestions for catalogue enhancements, whether to individual entries or for major projects, we have limited resources to carry out cataloguing work. Unfortunately it is not possible for us to act on every suggestion.

All approved catalogue improvement work goes through detailed planning and implementation stages. In the case of substantial projects, it may be some time before the enhanced data can be made available to the public.

Suggestions for catalogue improvements can be sent by email to the Catalogue mailbox or via our contact form.

Catalogue Day 2011 presentations

Catalogue Day 2011 took place on Friday 25 November. Please find below the accompanying power point presentations for all topics showcased on the day.