Archives: The Records of Our Lives.
1. What are archives?
Archives are the non-current records of individuals, groups, institutions, and governments that contain information of enduring value. Archival records are the products of everyday life. Formats represented in the modern archival repository include photographs, films, video and sound recordings, as well as the more traditional unpublished letters, diaries, and other manuscripts.
2. Who uses archival records?
Researchers use them both for their administrative value and for purposes other than those for which they were created. For example, Native Americans may use archival records to establish legal claims to land and privileges guaranteed by federal and state governments; medical researchers utilize records to study patterns of diseases; authors use archives to acquire a feel for the people and times about which they are writing; historians and genealogists rely on archival sources to analyze past events to reconstruct family histories; and businesses use the records to improve their public relations and to promote new products. In short, archives benefit nearly everyone, even those who have never directly used them.
3. What does an archivist do?
The primary task of the archivist is to establish and maintain control, both physically and intellectual, over records of enduring value. Archivists select records, a process that requires an understanding of the historical context in which the records were created, the uses for which they were intended, and their relationships to other sources. The archivist then arranges and describes the records, in accordance with accepted standards and practices; ensures the long-term preservation of collections; assists researchers; and plans and directs exhibitions, publications, and other outreach progams to broaden the use of collections.
Archives are the non-current records of individuals, groups, institutions, and governments that contain information of enduring value. Archival records are the products of everyday life. Formats represented in the modern archival repository include photographs, films, video and sound recordings, as well as the more traditional unpublished letters, diaries, and other manuscripts.
2. Who uses archival records?
Researchers use them both for their administrative value and for purposes other than those for which they were created. For example, Native Americans may use archival records to establish legal claims to land and privileges guaranteed by federal and state governments; medical researchers utilize records to study patterns of diseases; authors use archives to acquire a feel for the people and times about which they are writing; historians and genealogists rely on archival sources to analyze past events to reconstruct family histories; and businesses use the records to improve their public relations and to promote new products. In short, archives benefit nearly everyone, even those who have never directly used them.
3. What does an archivist do?
The primary task of the archivist is to establish and maintain control, both physically and intellectual, over records of enduring value. Archivists select records, a process that requires an understanding of the historical context in which the records were created, the uses for which they were intended, and their relationships to other sources. The archivist then arranges and describes the records, in accordance with accepted standards and practices; ensures the long-term preservation of collections; assists researchers; and plans and directs exhibitions, publications, and other outreach progams to broaden the use of collections.
