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National Collections strategy

Overview

The National Collections Strategy is an initiative to identify where the documentary heritage of England and Wales is under represented, or not represented, in archives and to address the reasons why.  Its aim is to ensure that the records of key events, of the lives and activities of individuals and communities and of public, private and charitable organisations are kept in the right places, efficiently and effectively preserved, and made easily available and widely accessible.

Through collaborative partnerships, The National Archives will provide a framework of support, help and guidance in developing individual archive strategies across different sectors, themes and formats.

A consultative panel of representatives from archival and other relevant bodies has been established to oversee the implementation of the National Collections Strategy. The Terms of Reference for the panel and the minutes from its six-monthly meetings are available online:

Summaries of meetings

Consultation process

The National Collections Strategy was launched at the Society of Archivists' Conference in August 2008, with the start of a three-month consultation asking for feedback on the strategy's vision, aims and principles and suggestions for its successful implementation. The consultation formally ended on 30 November 2008 and the report on the findings was published in February 2009:

Listening to your views is key to the strategy's success, so if you still want to comment, we still want to hear from you!

By email or telephone:

By post to:

Archives Sector Development, The National Archives
Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU