Information about the policies that describe how we manage our archive collections, our organisational responsibilities and our commitment to archive service users at Durham Record Office.
Access policy
How we provide access to our archive collections.
Access Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 270 KB)
Agreement for the deposit of records
About the conditions of loan, storage, access and use of records deposited in the archives.
Durham County Record Office Agreement for Deposit of Records 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 202 KB)
Appraisal policy
How we ensure that we preserve permanently as archives only records of evidential and historical value to County Durham and Darlington, and the criteria and standards we use.
Appraisal Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 270 KB)
Collecting policy
About the records we collect and the conditions, legislation and guidance for their acceptance.
Collecting Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 267 KB)
Collections care and conservation policy
About the strategic approach to caring for and conserving our archive collections, and the principles guiding conservation activities necessary for long-term preservation and security.
Collections Care and Conservation Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 305 KB)
Collections development policy
How we liaise with existing archive owners and donors, external organisations and communities to ensure that existing collections grow, and we acquire new collections that are representative and worth preserving.
Collections Development Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 278 KB)
Collections information policy
About our accession register, cataloguing, finding aids and document locations information.
Collections Information Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 276 KB)
Collections management policy
How and why we acquire, preserve, develop and facilitate access to the collections in our care.
Collections Management Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 256 KB)
Copying policy
About the principles guiding permission to copy and permission to publish archives in our collections.
Copying Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 247 KB)
Customer care standards
What to expect when you visit us, contact us, visit our website, ask us to do research for you, order copies, attend one of our events or ask us to participate in an event run by you.
Customer Care Standards 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 280 KB)
Deaccessioning policy
How we appraise and dispose of unwanted records.
Deaccessioning Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 262 KB)
Digital preservation policy
How we ensure that our born-digital archives remain authentic and accessible in the medium and long-term.
Digital Preservation Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 314 KB)
Digitisation policy
How our digitisation programme helps to preserve archives, widen access, especially online, enhance our learning offer and, where possible and appropriate, generate income to help care for the archives.
Digitisation Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 246 KB)
Learning and outreach policy
How we aim to provide innovative and effective learning and outreach activities for a wide and diverse audience, onsite, off-site and online, supporting schools and communities and forming effective partnerships.
Learning and Outreach Policy 2021 to 2024 (PDF, 267 KB)
Volunteering policy
How we work with volunteers.
