the needs of archives: 16 (simple) rules for a better archival management
TRANSCRIPT
The Needs of ArchivesSixteen (simple) rules
for a betterarchival management
NISE loves archives- Database: archival guide in relational datastructure- Projects:
• Guide to the Archives (2009-2012)• Ambulant Archives Services (2013-2014)
- Helpdesk: Expertise and Information Centre- Repository: Kurdish National Congress (KNK), Bayernpartei, etc.
Archives?- “materials created or received by a person, family, or organisation, public or private, in the conduct of their affairs […]”- organisations: letters, (meeting) reports, financial administration, member administration, publications, campaign materials, audiovisual materials (photos, films, …)and all digital born or digitised materials
Archives?- legal function: a.o. support and guarantee the rights andobligations of governments and citizens- administrative function: good governance- historical value: influence the contents and orientation of personal and collective memory, thus the formation of a national identity- policy supporting: legimitation of policy and decision making
Sixteen rules / Six themes- Context- Appraisal- Arrangement- Preservation- Digitisation- Access
Context: the whereabouts?
Context: the whereabouts?
#1. Discover your archives
Context: the whereabouts?
#2. Learn about the use of your archives
Context: the whereabouts?
#3. Research the history of your archives
Appraisal: all paper in the bin?
Appraisal: all paper in the bin?
#4. Know your national retention policies
Appraisal: all paper in the bin?
#5. Destroy, but keep history in mind
Appraisal: all paper in the bin?
#6. Cleaning: the easy option
Arrangement: think twice!
Arrangement: think twice!
#7. What applies to paper…
Arrangement: think twice!
#8. …applies to digital
Preservation: better than conservation!
Preservation: better than conservation!
#9. Avoid the cost of conservation
Preservation: better than conservation!
#10. Good materials are half the job
Preservation: better than conservation!
#11. Storage conditions are essential
Digitisation: a paperless archive?
Digitisation: a paperless archive?
#12. The purpose of digitisation
Digitisation: a paperless archive?
#13. Use SOAP for a clean scan policy
Access: locking away or opening up
Access: locking away or opening up
#14. The research benefit
Access: locking away or opening up
#15. The right for information
Access: locking away or opening up
#16. Transparent policies
Sixteen rules = success?- Archival management is much more complex- “Rules” are work in progress, adjusted with every new experience: from regionalist European parties to worldwide minority movements- “Rules” are guidelines to a better understanding of the relevance practical implications of archives- Only a small effort vs efforts of ICA/UNESCO
Universal Declaration on Archives
- Defines archives to include all recorded decisions, actions and memories in all formats including paper, digital, and audiovisual- Recognises the uniqueness of archives in the way they provide authentic evidence of human actions- Emphasises key role of archives in ensuring administrative transparency and democratic accountability
Universal Declaration on Archives
- Supporting democracy and human rights, and preserving collective social memory- Explains the role of archivists as skilled professionals who care for archives and provide access to them- Highlights the key requirements for good archival management
Further information- Website: http://nise.eu- Database: http://nise.eu/database- Guide to the Archives report: http://nise.eu/files/proceedings-2-gta.pdf- Contact: