What is Archieves , function, importance and complete history
Introduction:
Archives are a collection of historical documents or records that are preserved for their long-term value. These documents can include a wide variety of materials, such as letters, photographs, maps, films, audio recordings, and government documents. The purpose of archives is to collect, preserve, and make accessible primary source materials that have long-term historical, legal, research or evidentiary value. The archives are typically housed in a dedicated facility, such as a library, museum, or government agency, and are often accessible to researchers, scholars, and the general public for study and reference. The documents and materials in archives are typically organized and cataloged to make them easy to find and use.
The term “archives” can have a few different meanings depending on the context.
- It can refer to a physical place where historical documents, records, and other materials are collected and preserved for long-term use.
- It can also refer to the entire body of historical documents, records and other materials that are collected and preserved in that physical place.
- In IT, it can also refer to a backup of data, files, or documents that are stored on a secondary storage device such as a hard drive, tape or cloud storage, and are only used in case of data loss or data recovery.
In all cases, the main purpose of archives is to preserve and make accessible historical or important information for research and reference.
Background;
Archives are collections of historical documents and other materials that have been preserved for future generations. The concept of archives dates back to ancient civilizations, where records were kept of important events and decisions made by leaders. In the Middle Ages, monasteries and churches began to collect and preserve important documents, such as land deeds and legal records. The modern concept of archives as a professional field of study and work began to develop in the 19th century, with the establishment of government archives and the creation of professional organizations for archivists. Today, archives are maintained by a wide variety of organizations, including government agencies, universities, and private companies, and play an important role in preserving and providing access to historical information.
Archieves LAW
There are a number of laws and regulations that pertain to archives and archival materials around the world. Some countries have specific laws that govern the creation, preservation, and access to archives, while others may have laws that pertain to specific types of records or information.
In the United States, for example, there is the Presidential Records Act, which governs the preservation and access to records created by the President and the White House, and the Federal Records Act, which governs the management and preservation of records created by federal agencies.
In the United Kingdom, the Public Records Act 1958 and the Data Protection Act 2018 are the main laws governing the management, preservation and access of public records, and the protection of personal data.
In Canada, the Library and Archives of Canada Act, the Access to Information Act, and the Privacy Act are the main laws that govern the creation, preservation, and access to government records.
In Australia, the Archives Act 1983 and the Privacy Act 1988 are the main laws that govern the management and preservation of government records, and the protection of personal data.
In many countries, there are also laws and regulations that govern the preservation of records and archives in specific industries, such as banking, healthcare, and transportation.
In general, these laws and regulations aim to ensure that historical records and documents are preserved for future generations, while also protecting the privacy of individuals whose information is contained in those records.
The age of the reading material in the Library of Congress archives varies greatly, as the library has collected materials from all over the world and throughout history. Some items in the collection date back to ancient times, while others were created just a few years ago. Some examples of the oldest materials in the collection include:
- The Gutenberg Bible, which was printed in the 1450s
- The Giant Bible of Mainz, a 12th century manuscript
- The Codex Washingtonianus, a 4th century Greek manuscript of the Gospels
The Library of Congress also holds a significant number of materials from the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, including books, manuscripts, photographs, and maps.
It is worth noting that the age of the material in an archive is not the only measure of its significance, as the contents of the collections are carefully curated based on their relevance and research value.
Process of Archiving A Documents
