Society of Archivists : Society News

Following a period of consultation with the membership about the Society's future the strategic plan for 2008 - 2012 has been published. It sets out the principal goals and key objectives over this period rather than the detail of how they are to be achieved and measured.

On Tuesday 1 April 2008 a select gathering of MPs and Peers approved the creation of an All Party Group (APG) on Archives. In an energetic meeting the Parliamentarians from all parties expressed their concerns for the importance of archives and how this importance is not mirrored in the position of archives on the political agenda, despite the popularity of family and local history and people's burgeoning desire for a sense of place and identity. Tim Boswell MP was confirmed as Chair, Lord Bew as Secretary, and Lord Howarth, Lord Redesdale and Dr Hywel Francis MP as Vice-Chairs.

The meeting also approved the role of the National Council on Archives to provide the secretariat function for the APG as well as agreeing to allow associate members from organisations external to Parliament, such as NCA and the Society of Archivists. It was concluded that these associate members could provide the APG with vital knowledge and expertise.

The APG will probably meet two or three times a year although NCA will also provide members with interim information as appropriate. The next important date is the 8 July when the APG will host a discussion with key guests such as Professor Lisa Jardine (historian and NCA Patron), Natalie Ceeney (CEO of the National Archives) and a senior representative of MLA. The APG also hopes to place an Early Day Motion to mark International Archives Day.

Membership of DPC

The Society is delighted to announce that it is now an associate member of the Digital Preservation Coalition. The Coalition's mission of securing the preservation of digital resources perfectly complements the Society's mission of promoting the care and preservation of archives in any format. We are very much looking forward to working with the Coalition and to tackling the challenges of digital preservation together.

The Data Standards Group will provide a representative for the Society on the Coalition, and will report back to members on subjects and events of interest.