Public Service Update
Project Name
Progress Commentary
Upcoming Milestones
Supplementary Finding Aids
To use the content of paper Supplementary Finding Aids, currently only
available in the reading Rooms, to enhance online catalogue
descriptions and enable access to this information to all users.
To remove the paper Supplementary Finding Aids from the reading
rooms once their content is accessible electronically.
• Issue log compiled for FO Convertor.
• Timetable for delivery of SFA projects drawn up.
• Resolve business critical issues
concerning FO convertor.
• Ensure all SFA projects delivered to
agreed timetable.
MH47
• Document preparation complete.
To make available on Discovery scanned and transcribed images of
• Document conservation work due for completion
• Statement of requirements for
MH 47: Central Military Service Tribunal and Middlesex Appeal Tribunal ahead of schedule in mid-Feb.
transcription being drafted.
: Minutes and Papers, 1915-22, in collaboration with FTNA and FFHS
Transcription to commence April 2013.
• Scanning underway and first images received.
who are part funding the project
QA’ing to commence on allocation of server space.
Online User Engagement
This is a two year project to gather feedback and create engagement
channels for The National Archives’ online users. The project was
started in 2011-12, during which a pilot online community was
delivered. The pilot will be run for the first 6 months of this financial
year. This will be followed by an evaluation period which will inform our
decisions regarding how to best approach a full launch of the
community or alternatively to find a suitable alternative.
• Issues preventing the opening of the community
have been addressed allowing necessary updates
and fixes to take place.
• Community moved from dev to test site.
Web Chat
To implement Web Chat as a business as usual service offering. We
will also pilot webinar software as a means of providing talks and
academic inductions to a remote user population.
UAG19031306b - Agenda item: 6
• Webchat Service. BAU running at 16 hours per
week until March 31st then revert to 24 hours per
week until l June review.
• Schedule for Webinars agreed, topics piloting in
reading rooms & WDYTYA live by 24 February.
User testing web broadcast of 4 webinars by end
of 2ndt full week in March.
• Browser testing due to be complete
18th February to allow for opening up of
community by 20th February.
• 40 web chat licences now purchased to
run to January 2014.
• 24 February webinar software installed
tested & staff trained. Webinar
broadcast topics delivered with test
audience at WDYTYA.
• Pilot webinars to run on 25 Feb and 01
March with internal online audience.
• Pilot webinar broadcasts to public
online on 11 and 13 March.
• Evaluation and feedback by 31 March.
Project Name
Progress Commentary
Upcoming Milestones
• Reader registration – Video has been inserted into
package.
• Do’s and Don’ts page inserted.
• Video interaction with current screens tested and
confirmed.
• Still awaiting self service equipment for fitting (due
04/03/2013).
• Insertion of do’s and don’ts into reader
registration package.
• Installation of PC’s into reader
registration room (replacing thin line
clients).
• Testing of final package.
• Script for self service equipment to be
completed by 22/02/2013.
• Head of ARK contacted supplier and a list of
planned deliveries has now been received.
• First delivery came on 14/02/13.
• More expected next week including scanned
images.
• Work on the listing library material to go into
Discovery in progress.
• Receipt of invoice.
• Receipt of final batch of material on
14th March.
Preservation & Handling
Replacement of current online tutorial for new-reader induction
package. To provide more salient and easily digestible document
handling information to readers registering for readers tickets, both on
and off site.
Development of current public online tutorial to provide a similar module
for staff requiring access to original documents.
Document handling display for users of the self service camera service
in the document reading rooms.
Lists & Directories
To produce accessible surrogates of the Coronation and Jubilee Medal
Rolls, which are part of the Library collection but have been identified
as unique material, to conserve or replace the bindings on the originals
and permit them to be withdrawn into more appropriate storage. We
have also identified up to 16 additional volumes of 18th century Army
and Navy Lists that were not included in the previous year’s work.
OPERA Replacement
The OPERA system provides onsite public access to electronic
published resources, both online and on CD-Rom. OPERA is now outof-date and will not be compatible when we upgrade the IT environment
in the reading rooms later this year. Consequently a new system is
• Authentication of IP of new server and initial testing
required that will deliver at least the same level of access and remains
of system completed.
compatible with the IT environment.
• Configuration of new system and branding of
The main aim of the project is to identify and implement a replacement
CUFTS in progress.
system for OPERA. The goals are to ensure the system is compatible
• Thatcher Foundation contacted re CD-Rom of
with thin clients, that it is user-friendly and customisable to our
Thatcher papers.
requirements, that it will provide access to the current collection of
electronic publications, including CD-Roms if possible, and that it is
able to provide access to any new electronic resources such as ebooks. In addition it may be possible to make cost and time savings by
identifying open source software that can be hosted and supported by
an external supplier.
UAG19031306b - Agenda item: 6
• Complete configuration.
• Training on 25th Feb and 4th March.
• Complete branding in consultation with
Web team.
• Testing w/c 4th March.
Project Name
Progress Commentary
Upcoming Milestones
Red Lists
To add content from the red paper lists in the Research & Enquiries
Room onto Discovery to ensure that onsite and online data is identical.
To consider the removal of paper lists from open access, in
collaboration with our users, as and when data is added online
Museum Project
UAG19031306b - Agenda item: 6
• 120 Red List binders removed to date.
• Low/no usage A-C lists all removed.
• One production request received.
Final snagging:
• Delivery of outstanding locks expected w/c
18/02/2013.
• Lighting situation (controlled settings) to be
addressed on 18/02/2013.
• Additional spot lights installed on 11/02/2013.
• Address issue of Jean Barbot board
(potential inaccuracies might require
replacement of board).