Housed in an atmospheric 19th century warehouse building at West India Quay, The Museum in Docklands is dedicated to the story of London's river, port and people.

The Sainsbury Study Centre at the Museum in Docklands opened in October 2005 and provides public access to two major archive collections: the Museum in Docklands Library and Archives (which chart the development and activity of the London docks, port and river) and the Sainsbury Archive (which documents the history of one of the nation's oldest food retailers).

USA members have been invited by the Museum in Docklands to work with the Archivists responsible for these two collections on a Shared Learning Project. The goal of this Project will be to develop new resources for the Public Information Zone area of the Centre with the aim of opening up access to the archives and engaging museum visitors.

With guidance from the archivists, members of the team will research and create subject 'files' (eg a brief history of a dock, riverside trade, Salisbury's branch or wartime food), suitable for public browsing. For the Museum's Port & River Archives, this project will include updating and improving the extensive but currently unwieldy range of 'topic boxes' which already exist.

There will also be the possibility of creating short public presentations and accompanying 'experience boxes' for popular topics, providing the opportunity for general visitors to view and handle original items from the archive.

If you are interested in the history of London and in social history, you enjoy research and like working in a team, this Project could well be of interest to you: no prior knowledge or experience are required although computer literacy would be an advantage. However, your enthusiasm is paramount!

The Project will start on Wednesday 16th January 2008 with an introductory session from 13.30 hrs - 15.30hrs and continue fortnightly from 11.30am to 3.30pm with a break for lunch at 1.30pm. The last session will be after Easter on Wednesday 26th March - a total of six sessions. If you think you might be interested, please contact Ursula Steiger, Project Leader: Tel: 01227711536 or email Ursula - ursulae@btinternet.com for more information.