New Kent Archives at Maistone

[mrs.tenacious]

Thought I would revive this thread, as I made my first visit to the Centre yesterday, and can offer an opinion as to whether I think things have improved since others went in the earlier part of the year.

Unfortunately, I don't believe they have!  Watney & Panda's experiences echo mine yesterday.  Everything they highlighted as an issue was evident in my case too. 

I mistakenly walked through a staff door to the reading room as there were no signs.  I'd booked a seat for 1pm but couldn't register until 1.15 as the only receptionist was dealing with someone in front of me.  My pre-booked seat was given to someone else, I was given no swipe card to get in and out.  Someone had mistakenly used the locker allocated for me (which hadn't been locked anyway because there is a special way of locking it which no-one had been shown).

It emerged that the records I wanted (and had found in a large register in the old archives at County Hall) were now only available on microfiche, so the hours I had booked for the reading room weren't then required.  I had username and password for the computer but it wouldn't log in and the receptionist had to process it all again. 

I was bumped from computer to microfiche reader in order to find the right one to use for printing from, and when I popped to the (unisex) toilets, found someone sitting in my place when I returned.  During my time there two people simply wandered over to the area trying to use the computers thinking they were accessible like the ones in the main library.  I overheard staff trying to solve continual problems with the booking system for the reading room and readers.

With a couple of other small technical hitches, and waiting for assistance, I reckon I must have wasted about an hour and a half of my precious time there.

However, as mentioned before, the staff couldn't have been more pleasant and tried their best to help everyone.  Even they admitted they need more staff.

It certainly wasn't the quiet, cosy and organised experience that County Hall archives used to provide.  I was quite frustrated a lot of the time, and disappointed.

The staff encouraged us all to give feedback, good and bad, as they know there are issues still to be addressed, so I shall email them accordingly!

[panda40]

Oh well I was hoping to read some improvements from your post   but by the sounds of things they haven't improved at all. I wonder how much feedback they need before they move everything inside that wonderful room they have created that is lovely and quiet. If only they had placed everything research related in the one area they could have the staff in one place rather than two and they could leave us lot to get on with out research in a quiet undisturbed environment.
Regards panda

[Missange]

I have fond memories of visiting the Kent archives office in Maidstone in the late 1970s. Just a smallish quiet room with chairs & tables. We all used pencils and paper to take notes, and were free to pull the huge volumes down off the surrounding shelves as required. From memory there were only ever four or five people in there quietly reading at any time I visited. I guess the difference now is the rapid increase in interest in researching family histories, and obviously some records offices are not going to be able to keep up with the huge demand for resources.

How would you go with ordering searches and/or documents by post or email? A few years ago I'd have said it would take the fun out of doing it yourself, but it sounds as though actually going there is not such a fun pastime any longer! I have to use 'mail order' now, because I live so far away, and I have had no difficulty in ordering wills & documents etc by mail from the East Sussex RO in recent years. Perhaps that's the way to go for Kent as well - then the staff can concentrate on helping researchers with the records (instead of the bookings, the toilets, the lockers, the parking etc!).

[Barbara F]

I visited the Kent Archives in mid October.  I had not been to the old CKS building so tried to go with an "open mind" although I had seen a number of critical reports about the new facilities.

I agree that the staff are really helpful - there simply aren't aren't enough of them so time is wasted when booking in and asking for assistance. When I had finished using my microfilm reader I went to say that it was now free but after waiting a while gave up.  The receptionist was away helping someone else and a queue was forming behind me.

The other major problem I experienced was the siting of some of the microfilm readers right by the windows.  The man next to me was having trouble seing the screen and ended up putting his coat over his head.  Some time later a screen was provided which helped but really this is quite a fundamental error.  My other complaint about the microfilm readers is that there were no instructions on them.  Everywhere else I have visited has had instructions or someone on hand to help.

As this was my first visit to this Archive I kept my "to do" list short and decided not to book a place in the reading room.  I did notice that the swipe cards didn't seem to work well.

I completed a comments form and have been promised a response!

I have to say I am somewhat discouraged about making another visit although I have a lot of Kent research. 

Whilst in Kent I also visted the Cranbrook Archives and Museum and would highly recommend them to anyone with research in that area.  I am still working through a lot of the material I obtained from there.

Barbara

[Barbara F]

Just to update you all.  I have now had a reply to my comments about the Archives.

The problem with the sun relecting on the film readers has only arisen recently and the situation is being monitored.  Mobile screens have been provided in the meantime.

So far as staffing is concerned, it does not appear that any changes being considered at present.  Staff try to keep queues to a minimum but this is not possible at busy times.

I wonder if there will be a formal review of service after 12 months in the new building?

Barbara

[Linda_J]

I was a regular visitor to the old archives but not yet visited the new archives. Having read all the comments, it sounds very much like my experience when I visited the Medway archives.
Before the old archives closed I was surprised to learn that some of the more experienced staff would not be transferring to the new archives.
I wonder if the current situation is due to an incentive scheme to encourage young children to get interested in history by providing a more open environment with that aim but to the detriment to more serious researchers.
Linda

[mrs.tenacious]

I wonder if the current situation is due to an incentive scheme to encourage young children to get interested in history by providing a more open environment with that aim but to the detriment to more serious researchers.
Linda

An interesting theory, Linda.  However, my (more cynical!) view is that the more you put out in an open and 'accessible' area, the less it means in terms of staff provision - a bit like self-service checkouts in supermarkets, if you get my drift.

IMO, the more serious researchers, being more experienced and au fait with the records they need and facilities required, need less help than those of us still fairly new to the archives centre and all it has to offer. We need more help with where to find records, what form they come in (e.g. books/registers or microfiche etc) and therefore the knowledge to book in advance the areas/equipment that we may require - and also for roughly how long.

[Missange]

Whilst in Kent I also visted the Cranbrook Archives and Museum and would highly recommend them to anyone with research in that area.  I am still working through a lot of the material I obtained from there.

Barbara

Just a quick thank you to Barbara for the "heads up" about the Cranbrook Museum. I had never heard of its existence before, but have just visited their website and it looks very interesting.

Angela.

[Candace]

Having visited the new archives I can only say I was appalled by the experience. When you have come from East Sussex to be told you can only have the computer for an hour is absurd a two hour journey, one hour research, and two hours home.  The whole setup needs to be to be reorganized.  I have sent letters to the archives with my concerns and although I did get replies it was just excuses and apparently I am the only one to have found any faults!
I am lucky as most of my ancestors come from East Sussex and we have a lovely dedicated record office being built with plenty of computers and readers, no screaming children ,and separate toilets.
I would like to visit Kent again but unless it changes it would be a waste of time.  It seems to me that all it is is a cost cutting operation with the person in control has no idea or any care for people who would like to research in peace.

Chris