Archive

For other uses of the word "Archive", see Archive (disambiguation)

Archives refers to a collection of records, and also refers to the location in which these records are kept. Archives are made up of records which have been created during the course of an individual or organization's life. In general an archive consists of records which have been selected for permanent or long-term preservation. Records, which may be in any media, are normally unpublished, unlike books and other publications. Archives may also be generated by large organizations such as corporations and governments. The highest level of organization of records in an archive is known as the fonds. Archives are distinct from libraries insofar as archives hold records which are unique. Archives can be described as holding information "by-products" of activities, while libraries hold specifically authored information "products". The word 'archives' is the correct terminology, whereas 'archive' as a noun or a verb is related to computer science. [1]

Etymology

The word archives (pronounced Ar-kives) is derived from the Greek arkhé meaning government or order (compare an-archy, mon-archy). The word originally developed from the Greek "arkheion" which refers to the home or dwelling of the Archon, in which important official state documents were filed and interpreted under the authority of the Archon.

Anthropological sense

The word "archives" can refer to any organised body of records fixed on media. The management of archives is essential for effective day-to-day organisational decision making, and even for the survival of organisations. Archives were well developed by the ancient Chinese, the ancient Greeks, and ancient Romans. Modern archival thinking has many roots in the French Revolution.

Archival research

Historians, genealogists, lawyers, demographers, and countless others conduct research at archives. The research process at each archive is unique. Practical information about various archives is available in the entry on research archives.

See also

* The Internet Archive is a public non-profit organisation founded in 1996 which allows access to snapshots of websites, in addition to audio, video and books. Archivists would consider the Internet Archive to be a digital library as opposed to an archive as the Internet Archive's materials lack the characteristics of archives.
* Web archiving

External links

* UNESCO Archives Portal
* International Council on Archives
* Society of American Archivists
* Archives Hub - gateway to descriptions of archives held in UK universities and colleges, part of the National Archives Network
* InterPares Project - international project on electronic records
* Access to Archives (A2A) - the English strand of the UK archives network
* Online-Guide to Archives around the globe
* Amanda - Open-Source Archiving Software
* The State Archive in Plock, Poland
* UK Society of Archivists
* http://www.bundesarchiv.de - Bundesarchiv
* http://www.landesarchiv-berlin.de - Landesarchiv Berlin