Developing and Maintaining Practical Archives

The Archival Mission

• Identify records and papers of enduring value.

• Preserve them.

• Make them available to patrons.

What is the difference between Acquisitioning and Accessioning?

Acquisitioning entails the policies and practices that govern the obtaining of materials for the archives, maintaining relationships with donors and developing collection policies, while accessioning refers to the formal process of transferring acquired materials into the archival collection.

What is Security defined as in terms of archival records?

the measures and protocols established to protect records from unauthorized access, damage (from human or natural disaster), or loss, ensuring their integrity and confidentiality.

Which archival functions are part of Identifying papers and records of enduring value?

Surveying and Appraisal

What is a survey in archival terms?

a systematic process of assessing records to locate items of possible archival value.

What is appraisal?

the process to determine the value, and thus the disposition of records for preservation or destruction based on their historical, legal, or administrative significance.

What archival functions are considered the bridge between identifying records of enduring value and preserving them?

Acquisitions and Accessioning

Acquisition

such areas as donor relations and policies for collecting papers and records

Accession

involves the transfer of records to an archive along with the transfer of legal rights to the physical and intellectual property

Which three archival functions encompass the Preserving arm of the archival mission?

• Arrangement

• Preservation

• Security

Arrangement

the organization of archives in accordance with established principles and practices that facilitate access and understanding.

Preservation

the protection of records from physical deterioration and damage as well as the restoration of previously damaged items

Security

the safeguarding of records from natural and human disasters

Which archival function is considered the bridge between preserving records and making them available?

Description

Description

the process of organizing and summarizing records and their arrangement to make them accessible and understandable for future use.

What is the third part of the archival mission?

Making records available

Which two archival functions focus on making records available?

• Access and reference

• Outreach and promotion

What do archivists use today to identify additional records for preservation?

Research trends and reference statistics