Why did we start the Merton Memories Project?

• Lack of public awareness of photographic collection

• Limited use of existing photo archive

• Need to improve public access to historic material

• Need to develop the photographic collection

• Requests for digitisation from stakeholders

Links to the Merton Heritage Strategy

• Preserving and recording local history

• Increasing knowledge / awareness of Heritage

• Partnership opportunities

• Developing audiences

• Lifelong learning

• Tourism potential

• Opportunities to work with local volunteers

• Partnership work with community groups and heritage stakeholders

• Developing new skills : Conservation, digitisation, research and display

• Improved collections care

• Digitisation of 15,000 images and creation of a photo database

• Website to allow public viewing of the Merton photographic collection

•Exhibitions

•Resource packs for local schools

•Public events and outreach

The Basis of the Merton Memories Bid

Project Volunteers: •26 volunteers recruited

•Aged 15 – 70

•Mix of retired, unemployed, students and working people wishing to make use of their skills and interests.

•Area breakdown: 2 Colliers Wood 1 Merton Park 5 Mitcham 7 Morden 1 Raynes Park 5 Wimbledon

2 Wimbledon Park3 Carshalton borders

•Working a range of 3 – 8 hours per week

Volunteers have completed the following training:

Induction

Catalogue training

Image matching

Digitisation

Pastview training / Metadata entry

Local History training

Picture research

Introduction to Merton Memories website

Photo conservation training

Display training

Progress to Date:

15,000 images processed, catalogued and scanned

5 outreach events held to promote project

4 teenage volunteers completed work experience placements with the project

Merton Memories volunteers commended at the annual Volunteer celebration including nominations and awards

Basic data entries completed for all scanned material with ongoing addition of information from research or public submission

Website produced allowing access to Merton images and 170 pictures supplied by heritage stakeholders

4 stakeholder meetings held with unanimous praise for project and work of volunteers

4 meetings staged to involve local teachers in the planning of school resources

Project promoted on Twitter, Facebook and the Merton website.

Articles in the local Guardian, My Merton, Volunteer newsletter, library e newsletter and stakeholder bulletins

Website Details

Merton Memories homepage

Advanced search page

Search by Collection

Drop down menus allow you to drill down to find sub collections

Sample image page

Search by area

Drop-down help offers area guidance and listskey sites

Photo order preview

Contact page for customers to submit queries or information