Project Genesis

On 1 April 2015 the Borthwick launched an ambitious two year project to create the Institute’s first online catalogue. Using AtoM, or Access to Memory, a web-based, open source application for archival description and access, Project Genesis aims to open up the full range of the Borthwick’s collections, estimated to number around 1000, to staff and the general public. For the first time, users anywhere in the world will have remote access to accurate and up to date information about our holdings, bringing the Borthwick in line with other institutions of similar size and scope and creating a wealth of opportunities for research and discovery.

Work on the catalogue will be carried out by a full time Project Archivist who will create in the first instance collection or ‘fonds’ level descriptions and authority records for each individual archive that will allow users to quickly and easily identify key names, dates and content as well as any relevant access conditions.

The project is an opportunity to collate and review current information about the Borthwick’s holdings which is at is present spread across paper catalogues, original accession files and a number of different computer systems. In its place Project Genesis will provide a single point of reference for staff and customer alike and a solid foundation for future cataloguing work.

The project will run until April 2017 and updates will be posted on the Borthwick blog.