Major LIS Organisations
Listed below are several major organisations which are involved in the library and information work area. Links to these organisations are provided in order to allow you to see the wide range of work carried out by them, and is by no means an exhaustive list.
Museums, Libraries & Archives Council
Address: Victoria House, Southampton Row, London, WC1B 4EA. Tel 020 7273 1444; Fax: 020 7273 1404; Email: info@mla.gov.uk
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) states that it "is the lead strategic agency for museums, libraries and archives. We are part of the wider MLA Partnership, working with the nine regional agencies to improve people´s lives by building knowledge, supporting learning, inspiring creativity and celebrating identity. The Partnership acts collectively for the benefit of the sector and the public, leading the transformation of museums, libraries and archives for the future.
MLA was launched in April 2000 as the strategic body working with and for museums, archives and libraries, tapping into the potential for collaboration between them. The new organisation replaced the Museums and Galleries Commission (MGC) and the Library and Information Commission (LIC), and includes archives within its portfolio."
The British Library
Address: The British Library, Human Resources Recruitment, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7BQ.
Tel: 01937 546330; Fax: 01937 546185; Email: bl-recruitment@bl.uk
The British Library is the UK's national archive of: monographs and serials received by legal deposit and from overseas; British and overseas newspapers; Western and oriental manuscripts from the beginning of writing to the present; India Office archives, library, prints, drawings, and photographs; printed and manuscript music; printed and manuscript maps; philatelic material; sound recordings and videograms; business information in many forms; patent specifications; conference proceedings; UK and overseas reports and theses in microform. It provides library and reading room services, document supply services, specialist information and research services, as well as putting on events and exhibitions.
The Patent Office
Address: The Central Enquiry Unit, The Patent Office, Concept House, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP10 8QQ.
Tel: 01633 813930; Fax: 01633 813600; Email: enquiries@patent.gov.uk
The United Kingdom Patent Office is the official body for the granting of patents and for the registration of designs and Trade Marks in the UK (through its Designs Registry and Trade Marks Registry) and is involved with domestic and international policy on all forms of property, including copyright, design right and other unregistered (through its Policy Directorates).
The National Archives
Address: Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Surrey, TW9 4DU. Tel: 020 8876 3444; Email: enquiry@nationalarchives.gov.uk
The National Archives is the repository of the national archives for England, Wales and the United Kingdom. It brings together and preserves the records of central government and the courts of law, and makes them available for consultation by all.
The BBC Information and Archives
Address: Room 3320, White City, 201 Wood Lane, London, W12 7TS. Fax: 020 8752 5585
The major function of the BBC Information and Archives section is to hold, index and supply the BBC's one million programme tapes and films. It also holds one of the UK's major collections of music recordings, scores and news cuttings. Much of the information is stored digitally and includes an extensive online library. The Information and Archives section consists of eleven service points with approx. 500 staff.