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ANDREW HAYDEN Since the last issue of the Reporter there have been changes aimed at improving access to the library section of the Archive. This is housed in a staff-only area on Level 7 along with the computer index and microfiche reader. With immediate effect, Council has determined that bona fide users of the Archive should be issued with a pass-letter which the staff at Birmingham are willing to recognise, enabling access to this area. Passes can be obtained from me (details on p.36) and are valid for the duration of office for members of Council, and four years from date of issue for ordinary members of BIOS and others. Birmingham Central Library has requested the following conditions be adhered to: From 2 January 2001, there will be an experiment in the opening hours of the Archive with evening opening one day a week. The trial will last 3 months and, if successful, will be made permanent; the new opening hours will be: Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday: open 9 - 5, Thursday: open 9 - 8, Wednesday: closed. Researchers must be in possession of a County Archives Research Network (CARN) ticket if they wish to order archive material. A CARN ticket can be obtained by providing proof of name, address and signature (e.g., driving licence, or household bill and bank card). All bags must be placed in a locker (provided gratis), and only pencils may be used in the Archive. Non-copyright material can be photocopied provided that Archive staff are sure that this will not damage the document. Researchers must bring the BIOS pass on each visit. Failure to do so will mean that access will be denied. Consideration is being given to having the index, currently on the computer next to the library shelves, transferred to CD-rom in a form which can be updated every quarter. This would be available at the main desk for use on any of the machines on Level 7. A new hand-list is also now available which gives all the Archive holdings up to October 2000 and incorporates the card index of books. We are also looking forward to receiving material from the estate of Michael Gillingham. This will include F.H. Sutton's drawing of a case design for Hill's organ at St Paul's Cathedral (ex-Panopticon) together with cuttings from the Illustrated London News showing the organ, and twelve watercolours of organ-cases in a bound volume inscribed 'W J Burton, Organ-builder, Winchester'. |