1. ALGAO and the Heritage Gateway

2. Implementation of the EH/ALGAO strategy for a national network of HERs 1990s - The Foard/Catney vision for a national network of SMRs Unlocking the past for the new millennium (1998) Agreed principles: ‘computer based networking of local SMRs into an integrated national system is both necessary and possible’ ALGAO Strategy for SMRs (2001) ‘promote research into the implications of developing a countrywide network of local and national records’ EH/ALGAO heritage portal ‘brainstorming’ sessions 2002/3 EH internal business case to create the Heritage Gateway (2004)

3. Benefits for ALGAO and HERs

4. 1. A quick and cheap way to go online A quick and easy way to dramatically increase use of HERs Basic functionality for searching, but easy and relatively cheap to do if HER is a HBSMR 3.5 user An alternative to going online using corporate local government standards and other requirements

5. 2. Generic solutions to many problems/issues EH and HERs can share best practice and resources for: Glossaries, Innovative interpretation (VR etc), ‘Health warnings’ about HER data, Promoting HER services, Policy statements, Improving searching and display, Audience research.

6. 3. Increased profile and understandings of HERs Cross searching with other data sets will increase the use and profile of HERs E.g. Conservation officers will be much more likely to use HERs and provide feedback Promotion of the Gateway by EH and DCMS could dramatically increase the profile of HERs

7. 4. Ability to compare/contrast thematically and spatially Users will be able to compare HERs and EH data Will also be able to cross local authority boundaries (e.g. Essex/Cambs/Norfolk) This will help to understand interoperability issues

8. 5. A test-bed for HPR HERs are proposed to be central to the new HPR system from 2010 The Gateway can be a means of testing the concepts and functionality of the new system e.g: LB Online will be available from 08. and this can be compared with LB data on HERs. Hopefully this will be extended to SAMs. Ditto for the HPA pilots ?

9. Issues: Audiences – who is the HG aimed at ? Financing – where will the money come from ? Quality of data – the implications of putting wrong or imperfect data online Relationship to other web access for HERs (ADS and local authority/HLF projects) Evaluation and research – needs to be a joint strategy/programme with EH What will the Impact of going online be for my HER service ? – many more users, feedback, revenue streams, change in the nature of direct enquiries.