Course Summary "Of all the national assets, Archives are the most precious: They are the gift of one generation to another and the extent of our care of them marks the extent of our civilization." We keep archives because they serve as a memory-- both to records creators and to the wider community. Archival records document transactions, actions, legal rights, and obligations. They also provide organizations with a perspective upon which to base future planning. In addition, archives are kept for historical or cultural reasons. Researchers use archival records to find evidence of the past. The photographs, films, letters, personal diaries, and official documents kept in archives tell us about different aspects of our collective history and culture. Archivists follow standards and best practices to manage historical records collections. As you work your way through following courses, you will learn about those professional best practices that can help you better care for your organization's historical treasures. |
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