By: D.Penberthy

D.Penberthy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:40:35 +0000

I am exchanging correspondence with the Director – when was the post designated as ‘Chief Executive, ? – on the subject of the staff reductions,and the general dumbing down of TNA. The desruction of the library I find particularly annoying as I have to waste time hunting for the calendars and other books that I need. Add the wasted space and money by providing a bank of computers that were roped off on my last visit in September and the £4million ‘refurbishment ‘, it is clear that the upper echelons at Kew have no idea what they are managing. Throwing the archives open to commercial enterprises and the subsequent digitization of the records has created problems for serious researchers.The word was that the ledgers from the family Record Centre would be digitized but,according to one staff member I queried on the subject,’It was too expensive’. The closure on Mondays is ridiculous when visitors from abroad have limited time at their disposal. I travel for seven hours – return – on my visits from the Wight. Add the consequential expense and the increase in the price of fuel, the car parking charge could be the finalk straw for me and I would have to either reduce the frequency of my visits or bring them to a close. If it had not been for apiece in Private Eye recently, I would have been unaware of the proposed changes as the ‘newsletters’ sent out by e-mail has made no reference to them. Joined-up thinking ? I fear not.A shambles ? Definitely

Comments on: Update 30 Sept 2009

By: D.Penberthy