Class 5: What are the relevance of historical
archives in the modern world?
Care and preservation of historical materials
remains as important as ever. New advances in computer technology do not
substitute for preserving the original historical materials for future
generations. However, computer technology and the internet can help us to
be better caretakers.
It is important to remember that
computerization, digitization, and the internet are ways of providing better
access for users. They are not means of preservation. Computer files
and formats are current for about five years. Nobody has the answer yet
for preserving digital images in a way that they will last for one hundred
years. Librarians are still seeking ways to provide access to digital
images that are ten years old. Two choices are:
1. The museum
approach. Keeping the old computer equipment for the software and the
images
2. Emulation.
Building computer systems and software that can emulate older systems.
How useful is the internet?
The internet is a useful tool. It is increasingly possible to use the
internet to:
- look up catalogues of books and materials
- order microfilms, photocopies, and digital images
- find full text of published research materials
The internet also raises new questions of ownership of materials and images.
Old models of acknowledging rights and authorship are difficult to enforce on
the world wide web.
What does electronic access and digitization mean?
Electronic access and digitization mean that researchers do not have to come
to the library or the archive to do their work. Fragile materials can be
digitized to save wear and tear, just as in previous generations they were
microfilmed. However, digital images do not preserve the originals, and
their shelf life is limited. Archivists must be aware that their
electronic finding aids must be compatible with other systems. Eventually,
they will have to be migrated to new systems.
Institutions must be aware that once they invest in electronic access, they
are committed to perpetual updates.
What does the future hold for archives?
Archives and libraries are not going to go away. Archivists are going
to become more computer savvy as they develop more tools and resources.
I have old documents at home. What should I do with them?
Store them in a cool, dry place.
Try to date them. Identify the grantor, the recipient, and the place
they were issued.
Save them for the future. Think of yourself as their caretaker, not
their owner.
Posted December, 2003
T. Vann
Malta Study Center
Hill Monastic Manuscript Library