What is information?
Information is communicated knowledge. This knowledge is preserved through records in many formats.
What are records?
Records are pieces of documented information. Records can be paper based, digital, or analog.
What are archives?
Archives are records that are important to keep for posterity.
- They provide evidence of human activity
- They provide historical data about people, places, goods, and events
- They provide legal or financial data important to the continuance of the institution
- They embody intrinsic value as objects of beauty or sentimentality
Without archives our political systems and business organizations would not retain their authority. Our progress would be inhibited due to lack of knowledge about past successes and failures. Our sense of community and culture would be lacking.
Are you doing all you can to secure your records and archival materials?
- Preserve your history by securing your paper-based documents, media and digital materials
- Provide efficient and thorough access to all materials in your collections
- Use your resources to reach out to researchers or clients
- Work with others in your community to define collection goals and scope
- Identify areas of weakness and work to develop collections
- Train staff to manage records using the latest archival methods
- Identify grant opportunities to support your efforts