We have had an exciting beginning to 2024 re-opening with our new searchroom layout and welcoming back visitors. It’s been fantastic to see researchers enjoying the space and delving into the archive again following our five-week closure to allow for building work and the reorganisation of the archives area and Local Studies library in the searchroom.

The principle change returning users will notice is that the Help Desk has been moved and combined with reception, which will help us to staff both positions more effectively and to better invigilate the archives area. We have also rearranged the search room to provide more space for viewing archival documents, with larger desks for each user, and each seat now has access to a power point for laptops. We have also been able to provide more spaces for reading and browsing in the Local Studies Library area, as well as an audio-visual station for viewing DVDs and VHS tapes, and for listening to cassettes (with headphones, of course). There is a new study area for consulting transcripts and finding aids such as the Wiltshire Family History Society parish register indexes, poor law, Quarter Session Calendar of Prisoners as well as Petty Session index, marriage licence bonds and plenty more. Our People’s Network computers continue to provide access to Ancestry, the British Newspaper Archive, Access to Research and other Wiltshire Library online subscriptions.

As previously, visitors are asked to leave coats and bags in lockers in the reception area, and use pencils only within the searchroom. Digital camera copyright licences can be purchased at the help desk for £9.00 to cover as many images as you need on the day of your visit. Food and drink can be consumed in the reception area and we have a vending machine for hot drinks and for snacks.

We hope that our visitors will find the archives even more welcoming and accessible than previously; all feedback and comments are valued! We look forward to seeing you all again in 2024.