Why Archives are Interesting?
Archives are important because they provide evidence of activities and tell us more about individuals and institutions. They tell stories and increase our sense of identity and understanding of cultures. Archives can be called the custodians of history as they keep the documents on which history is based. The intensive preoccupation with original documents brings history to life and gives a deeper understanding of the context.
Keeping and Storing Documents
The preferred method for storing manuscripts, archival records, and other paper documents is to place them in acid-free paper folders and acid-free or low-lignin boxes for further protection. The archives is where government records are kept. Since 1934, the National Archives has been legally responsible for most of the U.S. government’s documents from 1776 to the present.
Users and Uses of Archives
People use archives for various purposes such as personal interests, research, information for work, reality TV shows, or dissertations. Archive purpose is to reduce the number of lost documents to improve productivity and reduce data backup sizes. Archives serve as memory for individuals, organizations, and societies. They are retained because they represent evidence of people, places, and events in the past and educate those of today.
The Role of Archival Material
Archival material is a primary source of history and offers evidence of the past. It includes manuscripts, documents, records, objects, sound and audiovisual materials. However, archival material does not necessarily represent the absolute truth but offers a contemporary record from a specific viewpoint. Understanding the context and perspective of archival resources is essential as they provide primary sources that are not fully digitized.