Volunteers praised for Archive work

Thursday 16 July 2020

Over 50 islanders gave up thousands of hours of their time last year to help Jersey Archive add 21,000 new entries to their online catalogue, and index 40,000 names in court records from the 19th century.

According to Jersey Archive's Annual report, volunteers spent over 3,400 hours in total doing various tasks such as cataloguing, repackaging, scanning and indexing.

Last year, the archive received 149 new collections which included thousands of individual documents, over 8,000 of which were in a digital format. 

Pictured: Linda Romeril, the Archives and Collections Director.

The team worked with volunteers to add a total of 38,501 new records to the online catalogue, allowing information about Jersey’s history to be shared with a global audience.

“During 2019, over 50 different volunteers worked with staff at the archive donating over 3,400 hours of their time to help us preserve and promote the unique material that the archive holds," Archives and Collections Director Linda Romeril said.

The report praised the work of volunteers, describing them as a “key part” of the team who provide “added value cataloguing, repackaging, scanning and indexing."

Pictured: Volunteers helped add add 21,000 of new entries to Jersey Archive's online catalogue.

The group of 50 volunteers added 21,000 new entries to the online catalogue while indexing 40,000 names of individuals who are named in courts reports from the 19th century. 

They also scanned images from the JEP’s photographic archive and assisted the Archive Conservator with repackaging and preservation projects.

“Volunteers contribute a significant amount to the services provided by Jersey Archive, without their support our online catalogue, digitisation programme, preservation programme and service at help desk would not continue to develop at the current rate,” the annual report noted.

Pictured: The archive continues to receive more physical and digital records every year.

The work of Archive volunteers is crucial as Ms Romeril reminded that her 2018 report had highlighted the need for more staff to work at Jersey Archive, specifically to allow the institution not only to reduce its cataloguing, conservation and preservation backlogs but also to provide more support  in the areas of digital preservation and records management.

While the Jersey Heritage received additional funding for 2020, part of which was specified for additional staffing at the Archive, as part of the Government Plan, Ms Romeril said “a long-term commitment to additional funding” is still required as the archive continues to receive more physical and digital records every year.

Pictured: The Archive said they can help achieve two of the Government’s strategic priorities through volunteering opportunities.

As the report highlighted, volunteering opportunities at the Archive are beneficial not only to the institution but also to the local community. 

The Archive said they can help achieve two of the Government’s strategic priorities: improving islanders’ wellbeing and creating a skilled local workforce for the future. 

“Through the volunteering programme at Jersey Archive, as part of the wider programme across Jersey Heritage, we can support both of these priorities, offering opportunities for people to feel part of the local community and also for individuals to work with the team at Jersey Archive, developing their skills before moving into the workforce.”