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A framework of national collection strategies


The National Archives is leading, initiating, supporting and guiding the development of collection strategies across different sectors, around different themes and to support specific formats of information. These have been identified as significant areas for development to address gaps in archival collecting, gaps in access provision, or issues of sustainability.
The framework will help to ensure that key records of events and of the lives and activities of individuals and communities, and of public, private and charitable organisations are:

  • being kept
  • preserved efficiently and effectively
  • made easily available and widely accessible

The partners contributing to each strategy include record creators; record managers and archivists; archives and repositories; professional bodies and relevant experts. Developing and implementing the strategies may take a number of years where complex issues need to be resolved. The collection and preservation of born-digital records and other modern information formats will be part of each of these collection strategies.

Implemented areas of focus:

Current areas of focus:

  • Nuclear archives
  • Audio archives
  • Audio visual archives
  • University archives

Future areas of focus:

  • Charities and voluntary groups archives
  • Archives in museums
  • Medical records
  • Archives in the arts
  • Community archives
  • Oral history
  • Science archives

Our role

As part of our leadership role within the sector, we provide an overview of where collections are and where collecting is taking place. Where there are significant issues to be addressed, such as gaps in collecting, limited capacity or risks to collections - we will work with the relevant bodies to review the challenges and agree collaborative ways forward. We continue to research areas across the archive sector to determine where development is needed or where colleagues or groups bring particular areas for development to our attention. These findings are then integrated into the broader framework where possible.

Archives for the 21st Century

The framework is closely aligned with Archives for the 21st Century, the new government policy on archives. In particular, strategies within the framework provide opportunities for archives and other cultural services to collaborate on building and providing access to collections that reflect and serve their diverse communities. The framework provides high-level aims and principles that are relevant for any archive or collecting institution in revisiting collecting activities and reviewing policies. The aims and principles can be used by organisations and groups as a guide to shape strategies for safeguarding their own collections for the future. The framework supports collections and promotes deposit with an appropriate collecting institution wherever possible.

We are currently preparing formal guidance to support archives in creating active collection development policies.

The national framework of collection strategies aims to:

  • support the archival infrastructure in England and Wales
  • identify what types of documentary heritage are not well represented in archives and address the reasons why
  • ensure that records of events, individuals and organisations are kept for the future
  • work with current and potential collecting organisations to ensure that these records are kept in the right places, and are made available to all
  • provide support, help and guidance to the sector in developing archive strategies for particular types of information.

The aims and principles of the framework are detailed in full in the National Collections Strategy document.

Download our National Collections Strategy document (PDF, 0.08Mb)

Contact us

If your organisation needs advice on developing its collecting activity, or to discuss involvement in the strategies listed above, please get in touch. We are also keen to hear from anyone with a collection that is currently at risk, which needs to find a long-term 'home', or which needs development to reflect and serve the needs of its community.

Please contact:

Cathy Williams, Senior Manager, Strategic Collection Development, +44 (0) 20 8392 5330 x2064
asd@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk
Fleur Soper, Collections Advisor, +44 (0) 20 8392 5330 x2548
asd@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk

Or write to us at:

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

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