The National Archives (case study)
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OVERVIEW
The National Archives was chosen by Ithaka as a case study in Sustainability to demonstrate a real world example of a theoretical business model. These business models were outlined in the initial report by Kevin Guthrie, Rebecca Griffiths and Nancy Maron, Sustainability and Online Revenue Models: An Ithaka Report (May 2008).
Background
The National Archives (TNA) hold an invaluable collection of archival materials from England and Wales spanning the past 1,000 years. A critical part of its mission involves “bring[ing] history to life for everyone” by providing increasingly universal, realistically priced access. TNA's online strategy, and in particular its willingness to create partnerships with commercial entities, has become an increasingly critical part of both fulfilling the organisation’s mission and maintaining its economic sustainability.
Since 2004, TNA has developed a strategy to digitise content quickly though their Licensed Internet Associateship program. These commercial partnerships, closely managed by TNA staff, have allowed the institution to digitise millions of pages of material at minimal direct cost.
This case study explores the commercial partnership model developed by TNA with a focus on the opportunities that commercial partnerships can provide for public service organizations. This study also highlights the challenges that such a partnership can bring to bear on a number of critical questions including user needs, balancing mission and the commercial partner’s need to drive revenue, and long term preservation and access considerations.
[[role::strategy manager]] [[role::policy maker]] [[role::project manager]] [[role::content manager]] [[role::acquisitions manager]] [[goal::managing]] [[goal::planning]] [[level::basic]] [[level::medium]]
