OnlineAccess inArchivesasaChallenge for Archives, Archivists and Archival Material: AnEvaluation ofViewpoint aGroupofArchivists
Abstract
Today, online access hasbecome an essential requirement, especially for new-generation users who follow and take advantage of technological innovations. Online access also provides a number of advantagesboth for archives and users; not only does it save time, but it also offers more materials to more users and eases the archivist's workload. For this reason, the issue under discussion is an important processfor the archives. Todayin most archives, in addition to many other techniques, the digitization of archival material is being carried out; moreover, programs are being implemented to provide online accessfor archival material. However, despite all the advantages that online access offers, the question whether online access present a challenge for archives, archivists or archival material needs to be asked? Atthis point, the first challenges that come to mind are the security of the archival material, the futurereference archivists and archives as institutions, and archival awareness being erased from the public memory. The potential challenges of online access should be analyzed in detail in order to ensure that archives are affected to the minimum. In this context, this study determines the potential challenges of theonline access process. At this point in the study, a survey-study with 53 archivists was carried out, investigating what theadvantages, disadvantages and potential challenges of the online access process are; in the light of the results,online access will be examined as a challenge for archives, archivists or archivalmaterial
Keywords
Online access,challenge,archives,archivists,archival material
References
- Akmon, D. (2010). Only with your permission: How rights holders respond (or don't respond) to requests to display archival materials online. Archival Science, 10 (1), 45-64.
- Australia Council for the Arts. (2011). S. Langley (Prepared), J. Bailey (Ed.). Archives in the digital era: Scoping study report. Sydney.
- Blais,G. (1995). Access to archival records: A review of current issues. A RAMP Study. Paris: UNESCO.
- Conway, P. (2014). Digital transformations and the archival nature of surrogates, Archival Science, April 2014, DOI 10.1007/s10502-014-9219-z.
- Hansen, L.-E. & Anneli, S. (2012) To make archives available online: Transcending boundaries or building walls?. Journal of Archival Organization, 10 (3-4), 207-230.
- ICA/ International Council on Archives, Committee on Best Practices and Standards. (2012). Principles of access toarchives. Paris.
- Lyons, M. (2002). K-12 Instruction and digital access to archival materials, Journal of Archival Organization, 1 (1), 19-34.
- Menne-Haritz, A. (2001). Access-the reformulation of an archival paradigm. Archival Science, 1 (1), 57-82.
- O'Neill A.M. (2007). Analyzing archives and finding facts: use and users of digital data records. ArchivalScience, 7 (1), 21-36.
- Peterson,G. M. and Trudy H. P. (1985). Archives & manuscripts: Law, SAA Basic Manual Series, Chicago: Society of American Archivists.