Kent Archives closed pending move to new Centres

The Centre for Kentish Studies (CKS) and the East Kent Archive Centre (EKAC) are now closed to allow staff to prepare for the physical move of the collections to the new Kent History and Library Centre in the New Year.

Their customers can access information on Kent’s rich and fascinating history in the following ways:

• the majority of microfilmed records from CKS and EKAC will be available at Maidstone library and Dover library from Tuesday 15 November
• the online catalogue of almost 600,000 records and 6,000 images containing extensive information on KCC’s archive holdings
• the 12 local history collections in district libraries across Kent containing a wealth of information on local and family history
• Canterbury Cathedral Archives will remain open until 31st January 2012 (see more in section below)
• free online access to Ancestry.com in all Kent libraries containing information on censuses since 1841, on wills, etc
• the archive of the main set of county council minutes going back to the first meeting in 1889 is now available to look at on
  KCC's website (search by 'individual committee). This is a significant achievement with over 45,000 pages digitised and made accessible in partnership with our colleagues in Democratic Services
• the shop at the Centre for Kentish Studies remains open and has a sale of 20% off all stock excluding corporate gifts, cards and stamps. The shop is now also available online.

Temporary closure of archives service at
Canterbury Cathedral Archives from 31 January 2012

Canterbury Cathedral Archives is administered by the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury and Kent County Council. It also operates as the record office for Canterbury City Council and Diocesan Record Office for Canterbury.

Canterbury Cathedral has taken the decision to close the archives for approximately 7 months to carry out repairs and maintenance, and has issued the following statement:

"Due to the need to carry out essential repairs and replace the 50 year old roof, the Cathedral Archives will be closed from 31 January 2012 for approximately 7 months. These works are vital for securing the building’s suitability for housing irreplaceable archive material, and for providing access to it, in the decades to come. Planning for the closure is now taking place. It is unlikely that there will be access to any of the collections in that period, in all but very exceptional circumstances.

"The Dean & Chapter, to whom the management of the Archives reverts in February 2012 after the withdrawal of Kent County Council from the existing partnership arrangement, regret any inconvenience and hardship that this decision may cause but look forward to offering a full service to all users of these facilities from the Autumn of next year. There will continue to be access to the rare book collections of the Cathedral Library."

If you would like further information, or want to make any comments, email the Cathedral's Receiver-General (administrator)