Council announce new proposals for museum and archive service (From Croydon Guardian)

Council announce new proposals for Croydon museum and archive service

1:20pm Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News

The borough's Local Studies and Archives service is to move to an exhibition gallery, as part of council savings from the culture budget.

Historians expressed concerns at the effect proposed cuts would have on the borough's archives service, and said the borough's "second to none" history collection was at risk.

Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for Children, Families and Learning said the council now propose to move the local studies room from the Central library to a vacant exhibition gallery on the ground floor, where the museum and archive service would integrate into one.

He said: "Not only will this new ground floor location be easier to get to, but the opening times of the service will also potentially be able to be increased to fit with those of the Museum."

Coun Pollard also announced the move will see the borough's art collection go on display.

He added: "Up until now the council’s extensive art collection has not been on permanent display due to the lack of a suitable gallery. We will therefore be using the refurbished space to put some of the council’s many works of art onto public display, many for the very first time.

"These art works will be displayed by rotation to ensure that they are both preserved for posterity and also made more accessible to current residents.

"We are also committed to ensuring that temporary art exhibitions can continue. This will see the Clocktower become a thriving centre offering a vibrant arts-based programme of activities."