The Archives and Records Association UK and Ireland (ARA), which is holding its 2018 Conference at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow, has released further details about the conference programme.
Delegates working in the field of conservation will have access to the wider sector debates and have opportunities to network, the association has confirmed. The programme has been devised and by fellow professionals from the UK, Ireland and further afield. Expert talks will be delivered on the technical and standards piece, making the best use of resources and collaboration, and advocacy (among others). Delegates will have the opportunity to participate in practical and detailed conservation sessions.
Technical workshops will offer delegates the chance to learn about the preservation of maps as well as surface treatments of paper, repairing folios for sewing, fugitive substrates on paper, mounting and framing, as well as audio and photographic media conservation (such as glass plate negatives).
The conference programme also includes case studies, keynote papers from leading researchers and campaigners in the sector covering marginalised communities and the disabled, digital preservation and records management.
Taking place from 29-31 August 2018 under the theme People Make Records, inspired by Glasgow’s own slogan People Make Glasgow, organisers say the theme recognises that, despite the advance of technology, recordkeeping remains a people-profession driven by human innovation, from culture and heritage or the sharp end of business management.
The conference will be run Mills Media.
The three-day conference will be broken up into three key areas. They are:
People in records
Do records reflect the communities or organisations in which they exist? Do people trust the authenticity of their records? Who decides on the selection and appraisal or the preservation and conservation of records? Where should records be located?
People looking after records
Who are the record-keepers and conservators? Do they have the skills we need, e.g. in data protection? Are current training and development models fit for purpose? Is the profession diverse enough? What code of ethics should record-keepers adopt? What is the role of volunteers?
People using records
How do record-keepers increase awareness of records and encourage engagement from more users, whether internal or external customers? Are we approachable or pro-active enough? What models might we adopt to increase diversity of access? Does archival and conservation practice hinder rather than promote access? How does the industry strengthen the influence and visibility of records-managers? How will we all need to adapt as professionals in the twenty-first century?The conference includes on-site accommodation and catering.
