London Archives Users' Forum

The London Archives Users' Forum (LAUF) was established in 1988 with the following objects 'for the public benefit -

• to represent and further the interests of users of archives in Greater London in public and private ownership;

  • for the dissemination of information about such archives, and
  • for the education of the public in their use'.

  The objects were revised in 2002 to reflect the variety of work covered by Forum, as follows:

• 'promoting, supporting and assisting in the collection, preservation and conservation of archives;

  • 'promoting public access to archives;
  • 'publishing material, and promoting the creation and enhancement of catalogues and indexes, relating to archives;
  • 'holding meetings, lectures, exhibitions and visits relating to archives;
  • 'advancing the education of the public in the use of archives and their value as a resource for historical research, and
  • affording a means of, and otherwise faciliating, communication between users and potential users of archives and those who have archives in their care or possession.'

  The Forum successfully secured and steered a Heritage Lottery Fund project 'A Place in the Sun' relating to records of Sun Fire Insurance held at Guildhall Library, and subsequently was regularly called upon to give support to organisations applying for funding for projects. The Forum also commented and voiced concerns on changes in archive provision in the region including the reduction of archive services in the City of Westminster in 2004. Other activities included a quarterly newsletter, publications, visits and annual conferences.

  The Forum remained a small body with membership of 300, with a low subscription rate and administration depended upon the commitment and energies of a small number of members. In 2004, a proposal was put forward by a working party represented by LAUF to establish a new membership organisation representing the interests of practioners and users of archives in London which would effectively absorb existing pan-London organisations promoting the interests of archives in London, including professional bodies such as the Greater London Archives Network (GLAN) and LAUF. 2006 saw the dissolution of LAUF and the transfer of assets to the newly established Archives for London (AfL).