The future of archives and recordkeeping

Citation

Lomas, E. (2011), "The future of archives and recordkeeping", Records Management Journal, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 76-78. https://doi.org/10.1108/09565691111125125

This is a collection of 11 essays authored by contributors from around the world, although just over half are from UK‐based authors. There is a good mix of seasoned writers and relative newcomers to the field of archival research. Although many of the authors do have records management experience the central focus of the volume is on archival theory and practice, and it is in this context that aspects of recordkeeping are discussed. The book is divided into four parts: defining archives; shaping a discipline; Archive 2.0 – archives in society; archives in the information age – is there still a role for the archivist. Although the work is divided into four sections many themes run through the chapters and different perspectives are presented. Jennie Hill is to be commended for editing a volume that does hang together as a coherent work. For practitioners the work raises questions and avenues for debate rather than providing definitive answers as to how archives management should be conducted as a process. However, while this volume is written from a research perspective, it is addressing the practical realities and uncertainties that the archival profession now faces. As Hill highlights within the introduction, “there has never been a more interesting time to be an archivist […] Archives as a profession are moving from a profession predicated on the unquestioning repetition of routine towards a more self‐aware, self‐reflexive professional outlook” (p. xii). Thus this volume demonstrates the reasons why research and practice do need to be intermeshed particularly, as Cox highlights, as archivists “need to be prepared to evolve in our approaches, perhaps at a rate much faster than archivists have been accustomed to doing” (p. 232). For those who have regular access to key journals many of the ideas and themes will be familiar. There aren't lots of wild new theories about where the profession and process of archive management will be in ten years but there are important insights and small gems that develop current thinking. This volume gets readers up to speed on the current archival landscape and provides the grounding to assist with navigating future paths.

The key discussion threads that run throughout the work are:

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  The technological challenges that impact upon “the archive” and the archivist's role, which are discussed in every chapter. Theimer and Convery's chapters tie together many key themes relating to the impact of technological change. Also, Theimer discusses ways in which new technologies can assist the archive/archivist.

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  How has archival theory developed and moved on from Jenkinson's positivist views? There are some doubts that practitioners have moved on from these views and Cunningham analyses aspects of Jenkinson's theory that still have relevance. However, most of the authors do take a postmodern perspective on managing archives. Within the context of postmodernism thinking, which has challenged Jenkinson's views, the work of Derrida's (1996) Archive Fever is widely cited by a number of the authors. No other work seems to have had the same impact. Although this work is now over a decade old, and written before many new technologies had transformed the information landscape, the thinking it contains is applied to the new ways in which information is created.

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  What is a record within a digital context? Where do the boundaries sit between the record and the catalogue in a Google world? How do we ensure the protection of authenticity? Lane and Hill question Duranti's assertions that certain criteria need to be met before a document crosses the archival threshold and examine the complex realities of information generated across technological domains with multiple realities seeing this as akin to oral testimonies (p. 17). They conclude by developing a suggestion from Jencks that, with a postmodern architecture, “double coding” systems can be evolved to recognise and speak to the needs of different users. Thus a catalogue can meet archival standards and yet be accessed and used in other ways without this knowledge (pp. 19‐20).

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  What is the relationship between archive, archivist, other professions, record creators, users and society? Where should archival control reside? Breakell discusses the ways in which archives are now used and the meaning that they have to a range of communities. She discusses the commodification of history coupled with the eradication of the notion of archivists as gatekeepers (pp. 23‐6). This discussion links to Cunningham's chapter on the postcustodial archive and Flinn's discussions on independent and community archives. Buchanan makes the case for a “shared territory” (p. 55) and Harris examines the important role of the archive in power and politics.

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  How can/should archivists appraise records? Can society keep everything? How should the archive be catalogued/structured? The general conclusion seems to be that society should not keep everything even if it could do so. Cox presents a strong case for appraisal and Duranti presents a persuasive argument for the continuation of structural and formal analysis linked to appraisal.

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  What is the role of the professional archivist? The good news here is that there is still perceived to be a role! Buchanan's chapter highlights that the profession is currently in a strong position. However, the text overall argues that the form and role of archivists clearly needs evolution. Ketelaar reviews whether the role is one of science or art and concludes it might be both. Convery and Cox examine the other professions that link into the archival profession.

From a records management perspective the link between records management and archival management was lacking; it would have been a helpful inclusion. Only Convery meaningfully discusses the interwoven relationships between archive management and records management. The volume's title could have helpfully omitted the “recordkeeping” addition as the volume only fulfilled the archival aspects of this role and did not meet my own interpretation of the full role and place of recordkeeping.

However, overall this text is an excellent read and is strongly recommended for custodians of archives (both professional archivists and other custodians) as well as archive users. It provides a valuable update on the state of archives now, as well as thoughts about the archival future. The volume is priced at £49.95, which is a reasonable price tag for a high‐quality academic text that is likely to have a relatively small readership.