Member Article

Seven Stories plot new commercial idea to expand archives

Seven Stories, the dedicated museum and archive of children’s book art, is embarking on a new digital idea it aims to commercialise.

The Ouseburn-based National Centre for Children’s Books is building a digital resource to make its rich archive available to illustration students and private individuals.

With the help of Newcastle-based digital developers, COAL/FACE, the registered charity is building a digital learning platform to open up access to frequently updated materials, useful to illustrators.

The idea is to commercialise the platform by charging a subscription fee, much like an academic journal.

David Wright, a learning co-ordinator at Seven Stories, explained: “We have a huge archive and it was obvious to us there would be an audience out there who would benefit from it.

“This project is building on the work we already do with schools and universities. We facilitate a lot of events where students come to us, or we go to them, and this platform is the next stage on from that.

“The platform will feature different audio and video content, and its major selling point is being viewable at home.”

Development of the idea is ongoing and Seven Stories estimate to have a product later this year.

The idea is part of a wider Arts Council funded project which aims to open up Seven Stories’ resources to students, and has included exhibitions and events targeted at the education sector.

David added: “This platform will hopefully become a core part of what we do and there is huge potential for its expansion.

“It’s a niche product but its unique.”

Those interested in speaking to Seven Stories about the product should contact collections@sevenstories.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .