Online business Toolkit

UK's archives to go online

Kable

Published: 09 Nov 2004 12:08 GMT

The government has started a search for IT suppliers to create a single online gateway for all archival holdings in the UK.

The project, known as Linking Arms, aims to promote access to archive material held locally, regionally and nationally by libraries, museums and in private collections. A range of material will be available as film clips, catalogue data, digital records and digitised images.

The project also has interactive features, allowing people to contribute their own information and to search for and download material on personalised history.

Key features of the gateway include:

An Internet one stop shop for heritage resources from community groups;
Sections for online exhibitions and "special interest zones";
'Your story' allowing people to add their own archive material.

Work is due to begin during early 2005, with a "demonstrator" service created. A full service is scheduled to be developed in stages from 2006-09. The National Archives has a deadline of 7 December, 2004, for suppliers to respond to its tender.