2025 - November and December - page 43
Image details
| Issue number | 404 |
|---|---|
| ISSN | 2632-7171 |
| Publication date | 1st November 2025 |
| Transcription |
Back Chat What does a typical day look like for you? Unhelpfully there is probably no typical working day due to the huge variety of tasks and the wide- reaching remit of our department. Happily, this does mean that you get involved with every aspect of the service, so a more standard working day might consist of assisting my colleague responding to research requests for the archive service, or dealing with expressions of interest from donors wanting to deposit material. JCNA is a small service compared to those in the UK, receiving just over 250 queries a year, but we have focused recently on outreach and engagement (redeveloping our website, hosting visits and research from students). I would be typically involved in: updating our catalogue or box-listing; writing and expanding our suite of policies and procedures; collaborating with FIG colleagues or teams about file structures and storage; and trying to keep engaged with the sector by attending training events or remote sessions. What has been a career highlight for you? Being able to implement so much of what I have learnt and developed within FIG and to see the first-hand impact that it has made. Working in the Falklands, compared to the UK, naturally means that you get more opportunities to make an impact and to lead change as, you are the only professional, or have such a small team. Whilst it is extremely overwhelming (and intense with imposter syndrome) I have enjoyed bringing about small changes that can help staff better manage and magazine preserve their information. A particular achievement was developing record retention schedules for each Department, which was the output of two years of workshopping and discussing with staff across the organisation. Change in cultures does not happen overnight so knowing that I have introduced policies and procedures that build a framework for records management has been so rewarding. I of course have to acknowledge being awarded the ARA’s ‘Record Keeper of the Year’ in August 2025. It was humbling to be recognised in that way by my peers and the sector, for what I have achieved with FIG and volunteering with ARA. However, this is also thanks to those who have supported and provided me with the tools to qualify and develop my experience over the years. Like many, I just do a job that I absolutely love and have just been so fortunate with my career thus far. Can you tell us more about running an archive service in such a remote location? The biggest difference is that our researchers are not able to just visit our facility and access the collections, with almost half being overseas. This means that more efforts and resources are placed on assisting with queries and digitising our collection to our website. With no other institutions or direct professional network nearby, the team has expanded partnerships to try to fill our skills gaps, such as in conservation, and we rely on online training opportunities to learn or share experiences and skills. The Jane Cameron National Archives, in Stanley, Falkland Islands. Ensuring the long-term survival and easy accessibility of all those records most important to the history and administration of the Islands. © Jane Cameron National Archives 43 |