Better access to Scotland’s rich collection of moving images came a step closer today, with the announcement of funding to relocate the Scottish Screen Archive.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture Fiona Hyslop today announced a contribution of £250,000 towards relocation of the National Library of Scotland’s Scottish Screen Archive (SSA) into Glasgow city centre, as part of the planned re-development of the Kelvin Hall.
The National Library of Scotland (NLS) has responsibility for the Scottish Screen Archive, which includes over 100 years of our history on film and video, as well as a collection of documents on the history of film and cinema in Scotland
Speaking ahead of the Stage 1 Parliamentary Debate on the National Library of Scotland Bill, Ms Hyslop said:
“The National Library of Scotland continues to be reflective of our past and ever relevant to our future.
“This Bill is intended to strengthen the Library’s role in safeguarding and sharing its world-class collections, and support its work in bringing the nation’s history and culture to life.
“The SSA became part of the National Library of Scotland in 2006. Since then, it has been based in a building on an industrial estate at Hillington with limited access for viewers and researchers.
“The Kelvin Hall development will be a fitting home and research centre for a fascinating collection of moving images portraying more than a century of Scotland’s rich heritage.”
The £250,000 announced by Ms Hyslop supports the relocation of the SSA into the Kelvin Hall, providing better public access and storage facilities. The re-development plan by Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council and the University of Glasgow has now secured initial approval for its application of almost £5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
When the SSA moves to the Kelvin Hall, it will be developed to establish a screen and moving image-based research centre, improving access to its important collections to students, researchers and the general public across Scotland and around the world.
The move will also allow the NLS SSA to pursue an ambitious film and video digitisation programme which will conserve important archival footage and eventually to make the collections accessible online.
Martyn Wade, National Librarian and Chief Executive of the National Library of Scotland said: “The support from the Scottish Government for the Scottish Screen Archive’s proposed move to Kelvin Hall is very welcome. The SSA plays an important role in telling Scotland’s story and a wide variety of films are already available online.
“Access for the public and researchers to the whole collection is also extremely important. Moving to the Kelvin Hall will create much better facilities and allow the SSA to develop and thrive. This is one of many examples of how NLS is working to advance knowledge of understanding about Scotland and preserve information for future generations.”
Related information:
NLS is a partner in a consortium of organisations developing the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow’s West End as a new cultural hub.
The £250,000 confirmed by Ms Hyslop today is a further breakdown of the Barnett consequential allocations for 2011-12 totalling £840,000 which the Cabinet Secretary announced on February 1, 2012, which included £300,000 for the National Library of Scotland.
The plan to turn Glasgow's Kelvin Hall into a cultural, research and training centre was given initial approval (a First Round pass) for almost £5m of Heritage Lottery funding on 27 January 2012.
The NLS Bill defines the functions of NLS and updates its powers in line with those of modern public bodies. The National Library of Scotland Act of 1925 did not specifically provide for the Board’s functions, which have evolved over time.
The functions will reflect the role of NLS in relation to:
- Preserving, conserving and developing the collections
- Making the collections available to the public and to people wishing to carry out study and research
- Exhibiting and interpreting objects in the collection.
- Promoting collaboration and shared practice amongst the library community.
Chris
British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton
Scotland's Greatest Story research service www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk and www.facebook.com/ScottishGenealogyResearch
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