National Loans Programme expression of interest form questions

Section one – tell us about your archive

Question 1

Lead organisation name (proposals should be led by the archive rather than partner organisations)

Question 2

Address of the lead organisation

Question 3

Lead organisation website

Question 4

Primary contact (full name and job title)

Question 5

Primary contact's email address

Question 6

Tell us about your organisation, the communities you serve and your mission. (up to 500 words)

Question 7

Tell us about your collections:

• Approximate size
• Types of records
• Collection strengths
• Significant themes
• Geographic focus
• Time periods represented

Are there any collecting priorities or future plans we should know about? (up to 500 words)

Section two – experience borrowing and exhibiting

Question 8

There is no expectation that applicants have previously borrowed from The National Archives or another institution. We ask these questions to understand your experience and identify where additional support may be helpful.

Have you previously undertaken any of the following? (Select all that apply)

• Borrowed archival material
• Borrowed museum objects
• Developed temporary exhibitions
• Worked with partners
• Other (please specify)

Question 9

If yes, tell us briefly about your previous experience. (up to 250 words)

Question 10

What challenges have you experienced when borrowing or exhibiting? (Tick all that apply)

• Environmental conditions
• Display cases
• Security
• Staff capacity
• Funding
• Transport
• Interpretation
• Audience development
• We have not borrowed in the past
• Other (please specify)

Question 11

Please tell us a little more about the challenges you have experienced. (up to 250 words)

Section three – display space and facilities

Question 12

We understand that archives have different facilities and levels of experience. This information helps us understand what support may be required.

Please could you share more with us about the following: current exhibition space, display cases, environmental controls, security, storage, lighting and accessibility. (up to 500 words)

Question 13

Government Indemnity Scheme (GIS) Awareness – which best describes your current position? (Our frequently asked questions page has more information on the Government Indemnity Scheme.)

• Already approved (within the past two years)
• Previously approved
• Planning to apply
• Not yet
• Unsure/we require more information about GIS
• Other (please specify)

Question 14

Would you be willing to complete a UK Registrar's Group (UKRG) Facilities Report and Security Supplement? (Our frequently asked questions page has more information about facilities reports and security supplements.)

• Yes
• No
• Unsure/we require more information about the UKRG forms
• Other (please specify)

Section four – your project idea

Question 15

Your idea – what story would you like to tell? (up to 500 words)

Question 16

Why is this story important locally? (up to 250 words)

Question 17

How could records from The National Archives strengthen your display or exhibition? Tell us why borrowing an original record would add something that your own collections might not. (up to 250 words)

Question 18

From which areas of The National Archives' collection (and/or specific records) are you interested in borrowing and why? (up to 250 words)

Question 19

While a loan from The National Archives Collection can make an excellent display on its own, we encourage you to also use records from your own collection to create a comprehensive presentation with a regional and/or local focus. Which records from your collection would sit alongside the loan, if any? (up to 250 words)

Question 20

Who do you hope will visit? (Tick all that apply)

• Schools
• Families
• Researchers
• Local history groups
• Young people
• Community organisations
• General visitors
• Tourists
• Other (please specify)

Question 21

How would you like to engage with these audiences? (Select all that apply)

• Talks
• Guided tours
• Workshops
• Family activities
• Creative activities
• Community outreach events
• Co-curation
• Local partnerships
• Oral history development
• Volunteer projects
• Intergenerational activities
• Research sessions
• University partnerships
• Student projects
• Curriculum links
• Social media
• Online talks
• Podcasts
• Digital storytelling
• Other (please specify)

Section five – support

Question 22

What support from the National Loans Programme would help make your project successful? (Tick all that apply)

• Training
• Display planning
• Interpretation
• Object selection
• Environmental advice
• Security improvements
• Cases
• Mounts
• Transport
• Community engagement
• Volunteer training
• Evaluation
• Other (please specify)

Question 23

Do you have any concerns about borrowing from The National Archives? (up to 250 words)

Section six – proposed timetable

Question 24

Preferred exhibition dates: please include any important anniversaries/celebrations/date markers (up to 250 words)

Question 25

Programming ideas (including schools and events) (up to 250 words)

Question 26

What is the planned duration for your proposal? Most exhibition or display loans are planned for a duration of three months to maximise engagement and visitor engagement. (up to 100 words)