Membership of AfL is open to all – individuals and institutions. Membership of AfL is a great way of networking and of sharing information with others interested in archives whether archive practitioners or users. It’s a fantastic way of engaging with archive issues and of making a contribution to archive policy.

What kind of individuals join AfL?

Individual membership of AfL is open to anyone with an interest in London’s archives. Membership is not restricted geographically – our members come from as far afield as Australia and the USA. There are two groups of members – archive users and archive professionals.

User members include family and local historians, professional and amateur researchers, academics, students and interested individuals. Whether you use archives in London for profit or for pleasure, membership will benefit you.

Members of the Practitioners group include those working in any of the disciplines connected with archives – archivists, conservators, local history librarians and records managers are all represented among the AfL membership.

What kind of institutions join AfL?

Institutional membership is open to any incorporated or unincorporated, commercial, service-based or amateur London organisation with an interest in or involvement with archive provision in the capital.

User institutions include family and local history societies, academic bodies with a focus on researching within London, professional research associations and publishers.

Practitioner institutions include local government and specialist archive repositories, local studies libraries, museums,specialist libraries and community based archives.

What are the benefits of membership?

Membership benefits for archive users and practitioners include opportunities to:

  • Keep informed about what’s happening in archives and records management across London.
  • Explore topics of interest or concern with other members at monthly seminars and occasional, practicals and conferences
  • Influence regional and national policy on archives. AfL is recognised by central and local government as the independent voice for archives in the capital and regularly represents the views of its members on issues that impact on archives
  • Networking – develop professional and life-long learning skills by participating in the work of AfL

AfL’s institutional members are also encourgaed to take advantage of the promotional opportunities outlined in AfL institutional members benefits.

Members are also invited to participate in the AfL AGM, where voting rights are as follows:

  • Individual members – 1 vote
  • Institutional members with 1 or fewer members of staff working in related areas – 1 vote
  • Institutional members with 2-5 members of staff working in related areas – 2 votes
  • Institutional members with 6 or more members of staff working in related areas – 3 votes

How much does membership cost and how do I join?

  • For Individual members: £12
  • For institutional members with 1 or fewer members of staff: £20
  • For institutional members with 2-5 members of staff: £50
  • For institutional members with 6 or more members of staff: £100

To join AfL, complete the online membership form along with your preferred payment method: