Have Your Say on plans for new Archives Centre
Written by author on February 7, 2013
An exciting new centre in Dumfries that will house all the local studies books, archives, newspapers, photographs, maps and much more. This is the vision of new plans being proposed by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Now, they are asking the public to have their say on this proposal.
A consultation on the proposal will be launched on Friday 8th February 2013. Members of the public will be invited to take part and comment on these ambitious plans. The survey results will be used as a vital part of the preparation of a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund of up to £5m, which will be submitted, if approved by Councillors, later in the year.
The ambitious plans are being prepared to create a new Archive and Local Studies Centre in Dumfries as a major part of an Archives Strategy to improve access to and preservation of archives across Dumfries and Galloway. The Council is responsible for a vast wealth of archives, local studies books, newspapers, photographs, maps and much more. The earliest date back to the fifteenth century.
At present documents are stored in three separate locations across Dumfries, none of which reach modern standards. The Archive Centre on Burns Street, the Ewart Library and a storage area in part of the former T C Farries building at Lochside are now full and cramped. There are serious concerns over long-term preservation and disaster prevention.
As well as improving storage to national standards, there has long been a recognised need to improve public access and facilities. By bringing everything currently stored in Dumfries together on one site, there will be scope to offer a better and wider service.
Public opinion of the proposals will be sought through a survey. This will be available to complete online on the Council’s website, and in paper form in libraries and other locations between Friday 8th February and Friday 1st March. There will also be a chance to ask questions and make suggestions about the project and meet the Archivist on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th February in the former Baker’s Oven shop on the High Street, Dumfries.
