The Role of the National Archive of Malaysia in the Collection and Preservation of Our National Heritage
THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVE OF MALAYSIA IN THE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE.
INFORMATION CENTRES – NATIONAL ARCHIEVE OF MALAYSIA
INTRODUCTION
Archives usually refer to a collection of public, private and historical records that are preserved because of their historical, cultural or legal significance. It also stands for the exclusive place where all these records are kept. Archives consist of records that are gathered over the course of a person, community or organization’s lifetime. For example, the archives of a person may include letters, photographs, films, financial records, newspaper clippings, diaries or any documentary materials created or collected by the individual or family. Alternatively, the archives of an organization, be it a corporation, association or government, are more inclined to hold a range of records like administrative files, business records, memos, official correspondence, minutes of meetings, financial documents, blue prints, architectural or technical drawings, corporate video.
As a general rule, archives of any individual or organization are made up of records that are exclusively chosen for permanent or long term preservation, because of their importance and enduring research value. Normally archival records especially those belonging to an organization are not publicly circulated and most likely to be unique. These are different regular books or magazines where several identical copies are available. Therefore, archives is different from a library especially its function and organization, even archival collection can find within many libraries. Archives are extremely important. It is not just due to their function as reliable legal evidence, but also because they preserve our nation’s experiences, spirit, inspirations and vision for our generation and us.
A custodian of archives or person who works in archives is called an archivist. Archivist is trained experts responsible for managing
INFORMATION CENTRES – NATIONAL ARCHIEVE OF MALAYSIA
INTRODUCTION
Archives usually refer to a collection of public, private and historical records that are preserved because of their historical, cultural or legal significance. It also stands for the exclusive place where all these records are kept. Archives consist of records that are gathered over the course of a person, community or organization’s lifetime. For example, the archives of a person may include letters, photographs, films, financial records, newspaper clippings, diaries or any documentary materials created or collected by the individual or family. Alternatively, the archives of an organization, be it a corporation, association or government, are more inclined to hold a range of records like administrative files, business records, memos, official correspondence, minutes of meetings, financial documents, blue prints, architectural or technical drawings, corporate video.
As a general rule, archives of any individual or organization are made up of records that are exclusively chosen for permanent or long term preservation, because of their importance and enduring research value. Normally archival records especially those belonging to an organization are not publicly circulated and most likely to be unique. These are different regular books or magazines where several identical copies are available. Therefore, archives is different from a library especially its function and organization, even archival collection can find within many libraries. Archives are extremely important. It is not just due to their function as reliable legal evidence, but also because they preserve our nation’s experiences, spirit, inspirations and vision for our generation and us.
A custodian of archives or person who works in archives is called an archivist. Archivist is trained experts responsible for managing