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As I managed to reach @UkNatArchives last week, I thought it might be handy to let people know what to expect. So here's a short thread.
First, getting a seat. Today's slots opened at 10am & were gone in a few minutes. Before TNA advertised them on their own website in fact. I only got a seat last week because in the 1st round launch, it didn't happen that quickly. There are only 45 seats per day, so small wonder.
Anyway, when you come to try and book a seat, you need to order your 6 documents there and then, along with 3 spare if any of your 6 aren't available. So be ready for that. Don't worry if your card has expired (like mine) as that's allowed for.
Due to traffic (remember that? It's back now) on the M3, I only arrived at 9.55am, so I don't know if the doors opened much earlier for people like me to get issued a new card. What I can say is that the car park was quiet, and is free at the moment, which is nice.
On entering the building, there was a tiny queue in front of me. At the front, my name was checked on the attendee list and I was allocated my seat and locker number (same number, good thinking). Bag checks were quick and efficient.
All the staff seemed to know who I was and that I needed a new reader's card, so within minutes of arrival I was sat at the card issue desk with my ID (don't forget it!) and having my picture taken. Cards are exactly the same as they always were and valid for 3 years.
You're restricted in what you can take in now – essentially only two items are allowed from this list (plus chargers if you need them). I confess I don't understand some of these restrictions - I'm not sure how pencils and paper might spread Covid. https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/visit-us/researching-here/can-take-reading-rooms/
The essential set up is one person per desk now (hence the numbers limitation) with camera stands at as many as possible. At your desk is a trolley with your 6 documents and handling aids (weights, foam etc...) in an unlabelled box at the bottom of the trolley.
I plumped for 6 fairly large documents I could just mass photo. I took 1,287 pictures in about 3 hours, only stopping to top up my camera battery. I was done and leaving the car park by 1.55pm. I noticed some people leave after just an hour though.
The same rules on the number of documents you can have open apply, so once you've finished with one, just put it back on the trolley and take the next. When you're done for the day, just stack them all on the trolley and leave.
At the moment, only the first floor reading room is open. Toilets are open, but carefully managed to maintain distancing. The cafe, exhibition space and bookshop are all closed.
The staff were brilliant, helpful and courteous. They were organised and well prepared for each visitor. The locker room is manned and your locker is cleaned when you leave.
So all in all, it's easy and efficient to use the archives once you're there.
So all in all, it's easy and efficient to use the archives once you're there.
I appreciate that the opening times and document restrictions mean it's simply not worthwhile for most people right now. I'd say that the model being used should work absolutely fine for a longer day and more documents (say 9am to 4pm and 12 docs for instance).
TNA might consider that, given that it will make it more worthwhile for people to visit, and we may have to live with Covid for some time.
At the moment, it's only worth visiting if you know exactly what you want to look at, or if you have some big docs you want to photo.
At the moment, it's only worth visiting if you know exactly what you want to look at, or if you have some big docs you want to photo.
But anyway, I was pleased to see the archives open again – especially in such tough circumstances – and I hope to go again.
PS, you don't have to wear a mask.
You can get a peek at some of the things I found on Friday here: https://twitter.com/SeaSpitfires/status/1286907568590331905
PS, you don't have to wear a mask.
You can get a peek at some of the things I found on Friday here: https://twitter.com/SeaSpitfires/status/1286907568590331905
