Archival Records are the documents, records, and other materials that are preserved for their legal, fiscal, or historical value.
1 | What is the purpose of archival records?
Answer: The purpose of archival records is to preserve documents, records, and other materials for their legal, fiscal, or historical value.
2 | What are the benefits of archival records?
Answer: Archival records provide a detailed record of events and help to ensure accuracy and accountability for important activities. They can also help to facilitate research and provide a historical context.
3 | How long do archival records need to be kept?
Answer: The length of time that archival records need to be kept is dependent on the purpose of the record and the laws or regulations related to its retention. Generally, archival records should be kept for at least five years.
4 | What kind of information do archival records contain?
Answer: Archival records can contain a variety of information, depending on the type of record. Common types of information include financial documents, legal documents, correspondence, photos, maps, audio and video recordings, and artifacts.
5 | How are archival records organized?
Answer: Archival records are typically organized according to the type of record, the date on which the record was created, the event that the record is related to, or the person or organization associated with the record.
6 | What is the difference between archival records and other records?
Answer: Archival records are typically kept for longer periods of time than other records and are selected for their legal, fiscal, or historical value. Other records typically have a more immediate purpose and may not be kept for as long.
7 | How are archival records stored?
Answer: Archival records are typically stored in acid-free boxes or folders in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. For digital archival records, they are typically stored on secure servers or other secure digital storage devices.
8 | Who is responsible for archival records?
Answer: The responsibility for archival records typically falls to the organization or individual who created the records. However, the responsibility can also be assigned to a designated archivist or archival institution.
9 | What is the best way to preserve archival records?
Answer: The best way to preserve archival records is to store them in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. For digital archival records, they should be stored on secure servers or other secure digital storage devices.
10 | How can archival records be accessed?
Answer: Archival records can be accessed by the creator or custodian of the records as well as by individuals or organizations that are conducting research related to the records. Access to archival records is typically managed by the responsible organization or individual.