These are the policies of Wiltshire and Swindon Archives created with delegated powers from Wiltshire Council. Any queries about the contents of these policies should be sent to Archives@wiltshire.gov.uk who will pass them onto the Principal Archivist and Heritage Services Manager.

All our policies are guided by the mission and vision of the Archive Service:

Our mission:

As custodians of our communities’ stories we are dedicated to collecting, preserving, promoting and sharing the diverse heritage of our county.

What we do:

• We provide access to collections and activities, and a collaborative hub for heritage in person and through digital engagement.
• We maintain the WSHC (Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre), specifically the Wiltshire & Swindon Archives (WSA) as a Place of Deposit to national standards.
• We proactively collect Wiltshire and Swindon’s archives and local studies items and preserve them for future generations.
• We work in partnership with community groups and sector organisations to promote, safeguard and celebrate heritage in the county.
• We create, manage and deliver county wide projects, supporting and promoting access to Wiltshire and Swindon’s heritage.
• We support heritage organisations and museums to meet sector standards and become sustainable, resilient organisations.
• We provide opportunities for lifelong learning and skills development for all.
• We deliver services to external organisations and individuals, including conservation, digitisation, consultancy and research.

Our guiding principles:

• Safeguarding our heritage.
• Sustainability. We want the WSHC, the Heritage Service, and the organisations we support to be financially and environmentally sustainable, and Carbon Neutral by 2030.
• Accessibility. We are working towards and advocating for accessible heritage, buildings and services.
• Inclusivity. We actively seek diverse perspectives and inclusively involve all voices in our endeavours, striving for equitable representation and accessibility in all our initiatives.
• Innovation and creativity. We embed creative thinking in all aspects of the services we provide.
• Collaboration. We build positive and respectful relationships with others.
• Wellbeing. We place wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.
• Professionalism and expertise. We promote staff CPD, good practice, and are a centre of excellence for heritage. We invest in staff training for all the principles outlined above.

Please click on the policy name to view it in PDF format.

Access Policy

Acquisition & Disposal Policy

Collections Care and Conservation Policy

Collections Development Policy

Collections Information Policy

Copying Policy

Data Protection Policy

Digital Preservation Policy

Loans Policy

Community Engagement and Learning Policy

Safeguarding Policy

Volunteering Policy