Planning and delivering a new archive building or store or refurbishing an existing building can be a significant challenge. This page contains resources that will help you and your organisation navigate the process, from the first planning discussions to opening the building and beyond.
Major Archive Projects Learning Exchange (MAPLE)
The Major Archive Projects Learning Exchange (MAPLE) is a network that enables organisations to share information about planning and managing such projects. Membership of MAPLE is limited to those who work in and/or manage archive services and open discussion about past and current projects is encouraged.
Planning a new repository guidance
Our Planning a new repository guidance outlines what to consider and plan for when thinking about building a new repository or modifying an existing building for your archive service. It includes discussion of the relevant British Standards and provides checklists and further resources. It is designed to be used by archivists, but also to inform senior decision-makers and architects working on a project.
Environmental impact, split-site services, and generating income through building use
Organisations are also increasingly being asked to build and operate sustainably and, in some cases, to consider whether they should operate on one or more sites. Space within buildings is also being recognised as a commodity that can be utilised to generate income for a service. The following resources produced by The National Archives can help services think through these issues:
Assessing and managing the risks of split-site services
Advocating for capital development
The National Archives and Arts Council England have produced guidance to help local authority archive services and library services to advocate for their services within the local authority planning context. It explains the Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106.
Championing Archives and Libraries in Local Planning (PDF)
The Archives and Records Association has commissioned research into the benefits of capital investment in archives.
Research into the Benefits of Capital Investment
You may also find our guidance on Effective communications helpful in making your case for capital development.
Working with architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has advice on working with an architect, including a register of conservation architects and other building conservation specialists.
Architects usually work to RIBA’s Plan of Work, a defined plan for the process from strategic definition to operating a building project (Stages 0-7); archive services and parent organisations may find it helpful to be familiar with the stages when beginning discussions about a project.
Archive Service Accreditation and capital developments
Archive Service Accreditation, the UK standard for archive services, requires that the archive service ‘must be equipped with dedicated secure storage’ (Requirement 1.4). Further detail on what this means is available in the Eligibility Criteria guidance.
Services that have already gained accreditation should ensure that any new project will not impinge on their accredited status and are advised to get in touch with their regional Sector Development Manager to discuss any plans at the earliest opportunity.
Further Resources
Designing Libraries – a freely accessible resource for anyone interested in design and innovation in libraries
Improving Culture, Arts, and Sporting Opportunities Through Planning: A Good Practice Guide (PDF) – a resource produced by the Town and Country Planning Association for planners and culture and sport practitioners in England
Culture and Sport Improvement Toolkit – produced by the Local Government Association, this toolkit aims to help the culture, sport, green space and tourism sectors continually improve performance based on self-assessment and external challenge through validation and peer supported improvement