94th response
TO: [email protected]
BL Content Strategy Consultation: Response from The National Council on Archives
When responding to the questionnaire, please complete the attached pro forma as it will help us
analyse the responses.
Title: Miss
Surname: Savage
Forename: Ruth
Response being sent on behalf of: (please tick appropriate box):
Organisation – The National Council on Archives (NCA)
If response represents an organisation or part thereof, please be specific about this:
Umbrella group of organisations concerned with the welfare of the archive
sector, including professional and amateur users, and professional and
volunteer archivists from across all archive domains (e.g. Film, Business, Local
Authority, Community, etc.)
Location: UK
Address:
Ruskin Avenue
Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 4DU
See also www.ncaonline.org.uk
e-mail address: [email protected]
Telephone number: (020) 8392 5376
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name and contact details to be withheld please tick this box
…
As a public sector body, the British Library is subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 2000.
Therefore all information sent to the British Library as a result of this consultation exercise may be
subject to disclosure under the Act.
National Council on Archives’ response to the British Library Content Strategy
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Issues for Consultation:
General
The National Council on Archives (NCA) warmly welcomes the opportunity to respond to
the British Library’s Content Strategy, which it considers to be a thoughtful and sensible
approach to the problems of collection development facing the Library at the present time
and the near future. On a general level, the NCA agrees with the principles articulated
within the strategy, and wishes to lend its support to the Library’s position. We hope that
the following comments are constructive and look forward to working with the Library to
achieve our long term aims of a sustainable, healthy research environment for the UK.
Q1
Please comment on the Library’s approach to developing a ‘content strategy’ as
defined in 3.2.1 - 3.2.2.
The NCA fully supports the Library’s policy of developing a ‘content strategy’ as opposed
to focusing narrowly on acquisitions of material. This stated aim of a much wider and more
inclusive partnership between the Library and other providers and research sectors, although
a pursuit of the Library already, is very welcome. Indeed, we would encourage to Library to
pursue an even more ambitious aim of a Global Search facility along the lines of that
proposed by The National Archives, whereby library holdings in the UK can be accessed
with a single search, regardless of their repository. Technological advances in the recent
past, and those reasonably to be expected in the near future, make this a possibility, at the
very least within the catalogues of the legal deposit libraries and the four national archives
of the UK, should the keepers of the UK’s stores of knowledge have an appetite to make it
happen. This would necessarily make the Library less a single repository and more a
member of a devolved national collection of libraries, but would have the added benefit of
spreading the accession costs of a more comprehensive national collection, for the benefit of
everyone.
Despite the Library’s reasonable reprioritisation of access through licensed content and
print-to-digital pressures, the NCA greatly values the Library’s continuing commitment to
acquire heritage materials in a variety of areas as well as the Library’s efforts to rise to the
challenge of preserving access to e-manuscripts, digital archives and data repositories.
Q2
Please comment on any of the implications of the British Library shifting its focus to a
content strategy, as described in 3.3.1 - 3.3.3.
The NCA agrees with the Library’s assessment that the major implication of the shift in
focus to a content strategy will be a step change in its managing of partnerships with a wider
range of providers and stakeholders within the knowledge environment. We feel sure that
the Library has, within its staff, the skills or the potential to develop the skills to deal with
this change of the management of its content, especially in the expert judgement of researchrelevant materials and the ‘meta-skill’ of expert judgement of any external expert’s advice
of research-relevant materials, which will necessarily entail even more effective partnerships
with individuals and institutions than they have at present.
National Council on Archives’ response to the British Library Content Strategy
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Q3
Please comment on the British Library’s approach to managing the print-digital
transition, as described in 3.4.1 – 3.4.3.
As identified in the strategy, the most important implication of the shift from print materials
to digital will be the long term preservation and accessibility of the materials, in the way
originally intended. Printing out a website does not give the same linkages and functional
experience as having the website active; both the hardware and software of present digital
materials will change over time, making what is cutting edge today, potentially inaccessible
tomorrow. The NCA is working actively in the archives sector to raise the profile of the
challenges of long term digital preservation and we look forward to learning more about the
solutions the Library and its partners develop to meet these challenges. We would be happy
to work with the Library where appropriate to progress the digital preservation agenda.
The NCA agree that the approach expressed in the first bullet point of paragraph 3.4.2 is
sensible. Like the Library, we are less convinced that overseas journals in digital format
will be consistently preserved by host nations, but trust that the Library will continue to
monitor developments to ensure an approach appropriate to individual cases.
Q4
Do you agree with the Library’s assessment of the key drivers and practical
considerations that should influence its content strategy (4.1.1 – 4.1.2)?
The NCA agree with the Library’s assessment of the key drivers and practical
considerations that should influence its content strategy. In particular, we would like to
emphasise that there is intrinsic public value in strengthening the coherence Library’s
existing provision in both collections and expertise. We very much welcome the footnote
on p. 23 reserving judgement of unique materials, which acknowledges the particular
circumstances and considerations that relate to such purchases.
We would also like to commend the Library on the thorough analysis of interrelated
practical considerations in paragraph 4.1.2, which avoids facile conclusions, and concisely
identifies the three most important factors. Extending the Library’s partnership working
will help tackle the first of these: provision elsewhere. We are confident that the Library
and its partners can find workable and affordable solutions to the other two issues, bearing
in mind the Library’s successful track record of tackling these in the past.
Q5
Please comment on the British Library’s overall proposal for what it should and
should not change within its content strategy (5.1.1 – 5.1.2).
The NCA would like to express its support for the Library’s explicit policy of being ‘formatblind’ (paragraph 5.1.1, third bullet point). The critical ability to distinguish between
research level material worthy of collection or access and the format in which it is held will
become increasingly important and we are relieved that the Library’s staff have this ability.
The NCA is strongly supportive of the Library’s policy to continue dedicating
“approximately 10 per cent of [their] Government-derived acquisitions funding to
retrospective purchasing, especially of heritage materials, notably archives and manuscripts
and books printed before 1900” (paragraph 5.1.1, fifth bullet point). We feel that this is
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essential for the national collection and the biggest player in non-governmental archives in
the UK.
While we would cautiously agree with the policies outlined in paragraph 5.1.2, in relation to
the third bullet point, we would be particularly supportive of the considerations of formatdependency raised above in our answer to question 3.
Q6
Within the context of finite Library resources, do you wish to make any suggestions
about where the Library should decrease or increase its collecting? Please provide a
rationale for any suggestions you wish to make.
The NCA commend the Library’s aim to meet the resource implications of developing its
content through cost savings and wish the Library very good luck in its efforts. However,
we would feel more assured should the Library have a published Plan B, should these
savings not be possible due to unforeseen factors.
We feel sure that the Library is already actively engaging in discussions with sister
institutions concerning reducing the purchase of duplicate copies of low demand items
which are best provided through inter-library loan or reference thus making further cost
savings. However, if taken to its logical conclusion, this would entail a marrying of all the
legal deposit libraries’ content strategies to ensure consistent working. This level of
partnership between institutions, we feel, is a laudable aim that may not be practically or
politically possible at present. Should the present financial constraints continue, it may be a
goal worth pursuing.
Q7
Please comment on any of the draft format strategies in Appendix 2. (Please state
clearly the name and number of the table you are referring to.)
The NCA would like to comment on the following draft format strategies:
Manuscripts and Archives
The NCA fully understands the pressures on the Library regarding a collection policy for
manuscripts and archives. The format strategy that the Library has issued seems to us to be
a well reasoned and balanced approach. We particularly support the overall assessment for
future collecting, and its understanding that there are other repositories that play a part in
preserving this historic record, while there is still an important role for the Library to play on
the national stage. We welcome the approach that the Library describes here of
collaboration with national, regional and local repositories.
While the NCA realises that, e.g. the policy for music manuscript collecting is a matter of
prioritisation within financial constraints, and that concentrating on UK composers is
reasonable, we are not convinced that concentrating on 20th century UK composers is
reasonable. We would strongly encourage the Library to take advice from acknowledged
experts in individual cases of high-profile purchase opportunities. It would be a national
tragedy if, as a result of this format strategy, for example, an important Purcell autograph
was not purchased because all available funds had been spent on a minor Harrison Birtwistle
score.
National Council on Archives’ response to the British Library Content Strategy
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Sound, Moving Image, Film
The NCA has a particular interest in the preservation of sound, moving image and film
materials, as we have been involved with the Heritage Film group at the British Film
Institute and with supporting the Regional Film Archives and the Film Archive Forum for
some years. We welcome the Library’s increased recent activity in the health of audiovisual collecting and preservation on a national scale and wish to continue working in
partnership with the Library and other interested parties to develop a coherent national
strategy towards a sustainable environment for the UK audio-visual heritage and its
increased accessibility.
Recently, the NCA, in partnership with the Library, was instrumental in setting up BISA
(British & Irish Sound Archive forum). We are proud to continue working in partnership
with the Library to support and encourage further national and international partnership
working in the field of sound archiving, especially in the atmosphere of increased
collaboration that marks this Content Strategy in general, and the Library’s recent activities
in particular. We commend the Library on carrying through its policy priorities into actual
action in this way.
Visual Materials
The NCA welcomes the draft format strategy for visual materials and especially the overall
assessment for future collecting. We are impressed with the policy of dovetailing the
Library’s collection strategy with that of other national and historic collections, many of
which are likely to be digitised and available online in future years, again evidencing how
seriously the Library is taking the shift from collection development to content access.
Within this outline policy, the NCA would encourage the Library to strengthen its historic
collections where it considers itself the most appropriate home for any particular materials,
e.g. the Fox Talbot Archive.
Q8
Please comment on the British Library’s proposed high-level content strategy for the
arts and humanities (5.2.1 – 5.2.5).
The NCA emphatically supports paragraph 5.2.1 where it states that “for the arts and
humanities researcher, the British Library serves as an essential laboratory for their research
and the generation of new knowledge”. This status of research libraries and archives as the
‘laboratory’ for the arts and humanities has often been overlooked. In the case of HEFCE
and related bodies, this is much to be lamented. We particularly acknowledge that the
Library holds extensive archives, made that much more accessible by the expertise of the
curatorial staff. The NCA would be failing in their core duty if we did not strongly
encourage the Library to continue to build on the strength of this invaluable historic
collection. We agree that there is a threat to UK literary manuscripts (we assume that the
Library will use its influence to assist its sister national institutions for Scottish, Welsh and
Northern Irish literary manuscripts where these are threatened). This perceived threat has
been recently aired in a debate in the House of Lords and, regrettably, we feel it will
continue for the foreseeable future. The NCA offers its assistance to the Library and all the
national archive collecting institutions to address this threat.
The NCA feels that the priorities outlined in paragraph 5.2.4 are the correct ones.
The Library’s acknowledgement in paragraph 5.2.5 that the RAE 2008 panel structure is not
definitive is, the NCA feels, very sensible. If the RAE survives beyond 2008, it is highly
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likely that its panel structure will be reorganised again. Basing the Library’s Content
Strategy, which is intended to be of long term value, on something so transient would be
misplaced. We also welcome the acknowledgement that the RAE 2008 structure does not
recognise emerging interdisciplinarity in the arts and humanities, which is finally gaining
acceptance after many years gestation. We would encourage the Library to take advantage
of the knowledge, not only of its own internal store of expertise, and that of its official
partners, but also from learned societies and reliable individuals with regard to ongoing
purchase trends and especially with high profile purchases of historic materials.
Q9
Please comment on any of the draft content strategies for arts and humanities
disciplines in Appendix 1. (Please state clearly the name and number of the table you
are referring to.)
No comment.
Q10
Please comment on the British Library’s proposed high-level content strategy for the
social sciences (5.3.1 – 5.3.5).
Please see general points highlighted in Question 8.
Q11
Please comment on any of the draft content strategies for social science disciplines in
Appendix 1. (Please state clearly the name and number of the table you are referring
to.)
No comment.
Q12
Please comment on the Library’s preliminary thinking about its high-level content
strategy for science, technology and medicine, as outlined in 5.4.5.
Please see general points highlighted in Question 8.
Q13
What factors do you believe the Library should consider as it continues to develop a
partnership strategy that meets the needs of UK researchers (6.1.1 – 6.1.4)?
The NCA welcomes the spirit of collaboration and partnership in the service of UK research
expressed in paragraph 6.1.1 and explicit throughout the whole Content Strategy. We
acknowledge the leadership and influence that the Library has had in shaping the present
environment for all researchers and learners, both in the UK and internationally.
The Library has already highlighted one factor it should consider as it continues to develop a
partnership strategy in paragraph 6.1.4: that there are a number of specialist institutions in
the UK able to develop and sustain their holdings and accessible content to a greater depth
National Council on Archives’ response to the British Library Content Strategy
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within their own fields than the Library would ever be able to do across the full range of its
collections. In a developing knowledge economy where players of any size may feature
prominently in their own specialism, due to an online presence and other factors, we
welcome the Library’s acknowledgement that “in the case of archives and manuscripts,
there is a large number of essential players in the UK landscape”, many of whom are
represented on the Council of the NCA. Although a large undertaking, the NCA would
encourage the Library to maintain their knowledge of these specialist institutions (with their
partners’ assistance) to ensure that communications are well maintained. We especially
welcome the Library’s view that partnerships take time and effort to be truly beneficial, and
that they should not “become simply a question of sharing the responsibility for
acquisition”. Partnerships are indeed two-way, and it would not be appropriate for the
Library’s partners to assume that the Library will fill their own acquisition gaps. The NCA
would like to offer the Library their assistance in undertaking this level of partnership(s),
wherever possible.
In our view, the other major factors for the Library to consider in developing its partnership
strategy, are:
1) that the financial constraints facing the Library are reflected across the whole arena in
libraries, museums and archives throughout the UK. In this climate, the sharing of access to
content held or owned by other players, and that content’s preservation, becomes even more
important if we are truly serious about working together to serve knowledge provision for
present and future generations. The whole sector must take responsibility for using our
resources, taken as a whole, in the wisest way. Although we may look to the Library for
leadership, the NCA encourages the Library to promote its sister institutions and smaller
players to deliver their collections management in a similar way, working together to
achieve what we cannot achieve alone; and
2) that there are historic barriers between public and private institutions, between institutions
in different sectors, and between local, regional and national institutions. These barriers
may have differing origins, but they must be overcome before fruitful and sustainable
partnerships can be achieved. We, in the heritage and knowledge sectors, must realise that
large scale divisions of this sort between ourselves are counter-productive, when we are all
facing similar threats from under-funding, a lack of political support, and higher public
expectations coupled with the lowering of educational preparedness of some of our
audience.
Q14
Please comment on the Library’s proposed approach for developing a deeper ongoing
dialogue about its content strategy with researchers (6.2.1 – 6.2.3). Are there other
mechanisms we should consider?
The NCA appreciates that the Library already enjoys close links with the research
community and warmly welcomes the Library’s increased commitment to this activity,
offering its support in any way that may be useful to the Library in this area. We offer the
following suggestions which the Library may develop its dialogue with researchers
(although we realise the Library may have considered some or all of these already):
Re: paragraph 6.2.2
• using the subject specialist groups set up under Renaissance in the Regions to comment
on the content strategy relating to their fields
• using the subject specialist JISC lists to comment on the content strategy relating to their
fields
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• using publications and newsletters of learned societies, interest groups (on- or off-line),
specialist libraries, etc. to gather comments on the content strategy related to their fields.
Re: paragraph 6.2.3
• all of the above to invite expert opinion on the holdings, both as individual materials and
as a collection
• a “wikipedia” style comments box on its new Integrated Catalogue of holdings, for
researchers to register and share their own knowledge of holdings, deepening the
interpretation of the catalogue for everyone at minimal cost to the Library - there would be
an editorial implication for curatorial staff to monitor comments before publication, and it
would be sensible to pilot any such scheme to gauge resource implications, perhaps with a
particular class of holdings where the Library already has a user group.
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