Principles of Archives
Archives are repositories that preserve and provide access to historical documents and records. They are governed by a set of core principles that guide their operations and ensure the integrity, accessibility, and authenticity of the materials they hold.
Key Principles:
1. Respect des fonds:
- Maintains the original order and arrangement of records as received from the creator, preserving their context and integrity.
2. Provenance:
- Documents records based on their origin and administrative history, ensuring their traceability and accountability.
3. Public Access:
- Makes records accessible to the public, subject to legal restrictions and conservation measures, promoting transparency and accountability.
4. Preservation:
- Safeguards records from deterioration, damage, and loss through proper storage, conservation, and digitization.
5. Accountability:
- Maintains accurate and comprehensive records of archival practices and procedures, ensuring transparency and quality control.
6. Impartiality:
- Archives hold and provide access to records without bias or discrimination, preserving the historical record in its entirety.
7. Authentication:
- Confirms the authenticity and integrity of records through systematic appraisal, description, and verification.
8. Intellectual Property Rights:
- Respects copyright and intellectual property laws, ensuring the protection of creators' rights.
9. Ethical Use of Archives:
- Encourages ethical use of archival materials, promoting research, education, and public engagement.
10. Collaboration and Cooperation:
- Fosters collaboration and partnerships with other institutions, researchers, and the community to enhance access and promote archival knowledge.
11. Sustainability:
- Ensures the long-term preservation and accessibility of archival materials by implementing sustainable practices in storage, conservation, and digitization.
12. Advocacy:
- Promotes the importance of archives and archival principles, advocating for their preservation, accessibility, and ethical use.