The Everyday, Relational and Emotive Archive’. Archives+ Project Report and Interpretation Concept

In June 2011, Manchester City Council commissioned the Centre for Museology at the University of Manchester to develop an Interpretation Concept for Archives+.2 Building on the research and development already undertaken (primarily the Manchester Histories Strategy (‘Manchester Manifest’) and the Archives+ Outline Interpretation Plan), the Centre for Museology was asked to devise and articulate a concept, which would coherently express the aspirations for Archives+ and inform the design of the physical spaces for the archives, activities and displays in the Manchester Central Library.The Centre for Museology proposed a programme of work designed to provide an informed, realistic, relevant and creative Interpretation Concept for Archives+. The programme of work consisted of: a literature review and benchmarking of the theory and practice of archives’ interpretation; stakeholder interviews; and audience engagement activities (more on the methodology in section 2).The consultancy team consisted of Dr Kostas Arvanitis, Dr Helen Rees Leahy and Julian Hartley. The team reported to Katharine Carter, County Archivist at the Greater Manchester County Records Office and Myna Trustram, Research Manager at Manchester City Galleries (Renaissance).This report provides an overview of the project’s aims and research, its findings, an outline of the proposed Interpretation Concept for Archives+ and recommendations for its implementation.