PSQG Quality Forum 2007
The twelfth annual quality forum for archives and local studies at The National Archives, Kew took place on Wednesday 7th November 2007.
Balancing the Impossible – security and access in archives:
The Public Service Quality Group (PSQG) Annual Quality Forum addressed issues relating to security and access in archives:
- How do we identify and protect vulnerable items while allowing access and descriptions to be available on-line?
- How do we address issues regarding staff access to collections and document security?
- What will the future hold for reader registration?
- What is the best way to share information regarding thefts?
- What security aspects need to be built into disaster planning and what are the best uses of technology to improve security?
The morning session was introduced by Charlotte Hodgson, Principal Archivist at Glamorgan Record Office and Convenor of PSQG.
The keynote speech was given by Gerry Slater, Chief Executive of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland 'General issues and principles surrounding security and access'
This was followed by presentations on:
'Collection Security: Legal implications and lessons learned' by Judith Barnes, Collection Security Co-ordinator, the British Library.
'Security in Public Places' Jeff James, Head of Advice & Records Knowledge at The National Archives Head of Advice & Records Knowledge
'Strategic Issues' William Brown, National Security Advisor, Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
The afternoon was chaired by Geoff Pick, Public Services Manager at London Metropolitan Archives.
Tim Harris, the Technical Services Manager at LMA, spoke on 'What next? - How can we organise the sector to respond to security matters?' and produced a useful handout on further sources of information
Paul Brough the County Archivist at Cornwall Record Office discussed 'CARN and its future'.
Geoff Pick then launched the new PSQG Security and Access Group. This was followed by an update on current PSQG activities and a short business session at the end of the day.
