Vol. 498 No. 1
265 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the development of archives and archival services was included in the brief in relation to the preparation of the report, Branching Out - A New Public Library Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26298/98]
The development of archives and archival services was not included in the terms of reference for the review of public library policy which led to the publication of Branching Out — A New Public Library Service.
Policy issues relating to local authority archives and archival services were addressed in the report of the Steering Group on Local Records and Archives which was published in 1996. Subsequently, the Department published guidelines on the development of the local authority archives service, and introduced a number of measures to provide financial assistance to local authorities in developing their archive services.
The recommendations in the branching out report, such as those for improving co-operation between public libraries and other libraries and non-library organisations, will facilitate further developments of the archives function of local authorities.
