London Archives Partnership

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Logo for the London Archives Partnership

 

 

The London Archives Partnership (LAP) was formed in 2013 with a vision to enable:

"a collaborative, creative and cost effective approach to the management of London’s local authority archive services, increasing access to the city’s history, preserving its heritage and reflecting the changing character of London and Londoners."  

Its regular network meetings act as a forum for those working within archive services to discuss current and future practice, opportunities for collaboration, and find out about other services’ individual projects and progress, as well as training and funding initiatives.

The partnership is open to all of London’s local authority archive services, with representatives invited to join the board; all LAP members are welcome to attend network meetings.

LAP Board members are:

 

LAP Network Meetings

Network meetings enable paid employees working in archive services to meet regularly to discuss developments in the profession, news from the sector, and current and potential collaborative projects. It is also a forum to learn more about best practice, receive training, and hear about the projects and progress of individual services throughout London.

Recent topics addressed include archive services’ involvement in London Borough of Culture bids and delivery, benchmarking opening hours to maximise efficient service delivery, the UK-wide Archive Service Accreditation standard, fundraising opportunities, and the need for preservation solutions for born-digital records created within local authorities.

 

Why Archives, Why Now?

On 5th July 2022, the LAP launched its advocacy brochure, Why Archives, Why Now?.

Published with council members, directors, and heads of service in mind, it demonstrates why archives matter and why archive services are a key resource within each London Local Authority.

As LAP Chair Tamsin Bookey states in the introduction:

"Archives, and the services that look after them on behalf of each local authority, sit at the centre of their communities and provide invaluable connections to the people, places and stories that make up each London borough".

Through six case studies, the brochure shows how archives are at the forefront of wider local government priorities including embedding inclusion, place-making, and enhancing wellbeing. It also emphasises the role of archives in supporting good governance and councils’ statutory obligations in relation to collecting, preserving, and making accessible the records of their activities.

Read Why Archives, Why Now?, (mobile-friendly version

Watch the launch webinar for Why Archives, Why Now? which includes talks on:

  • Building Connections through Community Engagement
  • Using Archival Film and Outreach
  • Digital Preservation
  • Inclusion, diversity and anti-racism: seeking social justice through archives

 

Past Projects and Collaborations

London Boroughs 50th Anniversary: LAP worked collaboratively with London Councils and London Archive Services to co-ordinate the celebratory activities for the 50th anniversary (1965-2015) of the London Boroughs. The resources generated are available online, including the film, almanac, photo gallery and histories.

London Archive Photos Portal: several boroughs worked with Max Communications on a shared portal where copies of archive photos can be purchased. After a one-off upfront charge, any income generated from the sale of photos is shared between Max Communications and the borough. The portal includes an interactive google map and simple search engine to search by title, street, postcode, decade and theme.

Getting the Most Out of Your Archive Service: LAP worked with London Councils to produce a set of online case studies summarising pieces of work by London’s borough archive services that demonstrate alignment with wider council outcomes.

 

Useful Links

London Archives Partnership on Twitter

Archive Service Accreditation, the UK-wide standard for archive services

Preserve Your Digital Information: A Leaflet for Decision-Makers

 

For further information, contact Georgie Salzedo and Philippa Turner