Bexley Local Studies and Archive Centre has been awarded Archive Service Accreditation.

Achieving accredited status demonstrates that Bexley’s service has met clearly defined national standards relating to management and resourcing, the care of its unique collections and what it offers to its wide range of users.

Councillor Peter Craske said: “Local people are proud of the borough and its past and the centre works with people of all ages to help them appreciate our rich culture and history.

“The team’s passion and enthusiasm is clear to anyone who uses the service or visits the centre and I am delighted that their hard work has been recognised.”

Bexley Local Studies and Archives is based at the Central Library in Bexleyheath and collects, preserves and makes available current and historic materials on the London Borough of Bexley. Its collections represent a unique source of information about the people, places and events that make up Bexley’s history.

The Archive Service Accreditation Panel, commended Bexley Archives as an “exemplary, effective borough service, which serves its community with an impressive range of access opportunities and partnerships”. They were particularly impressed with the service’s “excellent collections management, which has resulted in an impressive 95 per cent of fully catalogued material”.

Accredited Archive Services ensure the long-term collection, preservation and accessibility of our archive heritage. Accreditation is the UK quality standard which recognises good performance in all areas of archive service delivery.