Thank goodness I'm not starting my PhD until September 2009. As over 70% of the archival material I require is lodged within your collections, will I be able to gain access to the collections at another location during the period Sept 2009 to Aug 2012? I'm hoping to research Naval Architecture History. If progress is to be disrupted, should I abandon plans to undertake a PhD until the whole reconstruction project is finished, or change my subject to exclude anything in your collections? I need to complete University and AHRC applications within the next few weeks in order to obtain approval of my research proposals and funding applications.

Thank you for your help in this matter,

Regards,

George Stephenson
Exeter University

Thank you for your comment. We appreciate how the temporary closure of the Library will effect your research plans, and we will endeavour to keep our closed period down to a minimum. We are closing for a few months while we move the archive and library collections from the south west wing to temporary off-site storage, so the building work can begin. The Library will reopen in spring/early summer 2009 and then will be open by appointment every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and the first Saturday of each month, until the new research centre opens in the Sammy Ofer wing in 2012. I don't believe you need to abandon plans to undertake a PhD in September 2009, or change the subject to exclude anything in the NMM's archive and library's collections. I would recommend that you access the NMM's collections (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) from 2009-2011/12, and use other collections on days when we are closed (Mondays and Fridays). We will of course let you know of our reopening date of the Caird Library in 2009 as soon as this is confirmed. Please let me know if I can help further.
Eleanor Gawne (Head of Archive & Library)

Apologies in advance for the large number of questions contained in this comment, but the announcement of the closure has come as a big shock to me and to other people that I know.

I was planning to use the Caird library early in 2009 for a research project involving access to manuscripts in the archives. I am unable to bring the project forward into this year because of other work commitments. I assume from the announcement that there is no access whatsoever to manuscripts for several months, and that I have no alternative but to put the project on hold? Fortunately for me, although the project is important to me (and I believe of interest to others), it does not impact on my livelihood, but presumably for many authors, historians and researchers, the closure will materially affect the way they earn their living. I appreciate that the closure has been brought forward unexpectedly, but the short notice will leave many researchers unable to take steps to mitigate this in any way.

Anyway, here are my questions:

1. Although I must have missed it, presumably there had been some prior warning that a lengthy closure was planned? If so, when were any announcements made?

2. What consultation has taken place with users of the Caird library? Were the results of any consultation published?

3. How much of the budget for the development has been specifically allocated to maintaining services during the development?

4. Is it wise to proceed with the closure without a firm date for the reopening? What is the latest guaranteed date for the reopening?

5. When the library and archives reopen in 2009, it will be with a considerably reduced service. The announcement did nothing to suggest that the new opening hours were not permanent. But the response to the previous comment seems to suggest that the reduced service will operate until 2012. Which is the case? What will be the opening hours from 2012?

6. In 2012 will the new Archives improve access for academic researchers (as opposed to family history researchers, school groups and more casual visitors), and if so, in what way?

7. Why has no material progress been made with the digitisation of manuscripts before the closure? Surely this could have done much to mitigate the effects of the disruption? Is this not a greater priority than physical building improvements?

8. Will manuscripts be digitised while removed from the museum site? The closure would seem to me to present an opportunity to make some progress on this.

9. In the funding agreement with the Government for 2008-11, one of the strategic priorities is “to maintain, during this project-rich and change period, a core public offer to the on-site and online visitor that is stimulating, enjoyable and offers opportunity for research and learning”. This specifically includes the opportunity for research. In what way is the Caird library closure during 2009 and the reduced service until 2012 compatible with this strategic priority?

10. Is there any possibility of these plans being reconsidered or alternative means of access being provided during the closure?

Thank you for your comment. As it raises a number of key issues about the forthcoming temporary closure of the Caird Library, we will respond asap in a seperate blog post. Thanks again.
Eleanor (Head of Archive & Library)