Bury Archives - officially in the top 5% of UK services

Bury Archives - officially in the top 5% of UK services

Bury Libraries + Archives has been awarded Archive Service Accreditation, the UK standard for archive services.”

Throughout the UK there are 2,500 archives.141 archives have gained accreditation meaning that Bury has joined the top 5% of services to earn this prestigious award.

Archives Service Accreditation defines good practice and standards and supports the development of excellent archive services.

Councillor Sharon Briggs, Cabinet Member for Children and Families said:“Archives really do matter.They are our collective memory, allowing communities to explore collective and personal identities.They underpin research, connect generations with stories from the past to the present and they inspire innovation and creativity.”

During the accreditation process, the panel were particularly impressed by the positive, enthusiastic and dedicated staff who work hard to deliver a high quality service.They also noted:

• impressive integration and partnership working linking the archive and local studies offer with wider cultural and heritage institutions locally and regionally;
• active collecting of public records, supporting transparency, accountability and the re-use of public knowledge;
• the participation by the service in helping to develop and deliver activities through the Greater Manchester Archives and Local Studies Partnership, ensuring common good practice across the region, and the impact of partnership projects such as Made in Greater Manchester;
• the proactive approach taken by the service to meet the needs of Bury’s communities, and the impressive outreach, engagement and partnership work undertaken to ensure that the service reflects the diversity of its population.

  Councillor Sharon Briggs continued:“Being formally recognised as being in the top 5% of archive services in the country is a fantastic achievement and a true testimony to the dedicated staff that manage and run the service.

  “To ensure Bury Archives continues to progress, the service is now starting to tackle the essential task of preserving digital records, a challenge faced by all UK archives.

  “Thankfully the team have been proactive in securing funding from The National Archives to progress this work which I’m sure will be a great addition to what is already a fantastic service.”

  Whether you are interested in the history of Bury or want to research your family’s past, Bury Archives Service is ready to help.For more visit https://www.bury.gov.uk/archives

-ENDS-

Photograph:Left to Right – Adam Carter (Information & Learning Officer), Helen Lindsay (Archivist), Tina Morton (The National Archives Head of Regional and Networks), Cllr Sharon Briggs (Cabinet Member, Children and Families), Wendy Gradwell (Archives assistant), Nichola Walshaw (Archives Assistant)

Notes for editors

For more information about archives service accreditation visit the National Archives website http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/archives-sector/archive-service-accreditation/