Archives Resources and Services Thematic Area

Recordkeeping, from governmental to organizational to personal, is one of the most ancient and essential human and institutional functions. Records are created and maintained for purposes of evidence; accountability; and personal, social, and corporate memory. Archives serve a crucial cultural function, providing society with a sense of identity and memory. Records management programs help organizations comply with regulatory agencies, be responsible to constituent groups, and use informational resources efficiently and effectively. Critical to the administration of records is their maintenance over long time periods.  Maintenance of records is traditionally called preservation, which is now being influenced by issues of digital curation and stewardship. In an engaging and intellectually stimulating environment, students build skills and knowledge to identify and analyze recordkeeping systems from legal, evidential, historical, and cultural perspectives.