Wednesday 1 November 2017

TNA in London to remove self-service printing facilities

The National Archives (TNA) in Kew, London, will cease to provide self-service printing facilities or camera stations to visiting researchers from 11 December.

Researchers intending to view original documents are welcome to bring in their own camera, phone or other device to take images, provided such devices don't illuminate or physically touch a document. Digitial documents can be downloaded onsite and emailed without charge.

For those that require high-quality paper copies of original records, the TNA's record copying service will be available at standard advertised rates.

Researchers will be able to obtain a refund after 11 December of any unused funds remaining on their copying card or reader's ticket.

This decision has been made in response to a significant decrease in the demand for copying services over the past four years as researchers increasingly bring their own digital equipment.

Looking a bit further forward, the TNA has also announced that it is to change its document ordering times with effect from 1 January 2018. From that date, ordering times will be 9:30am to 4pm. Details.