Modern archives : principles & techniques

269 Pages·2003·29.398 MB·English

by  T R Schellenberg, H G Jones

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ModernArchives
(cid:1)
principles & techniques
T.R. Schellenberg
with a new introductionby
H.G. Jones
Chicago
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The Society of American Archivists
527 S. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60607
312/922-0140 • fax [phone]
[email protected] • www.archivists.org
Modern Archives: Principles and Techniques was originally published by the
University of Chicago Press in 1956 and reprinted in 1975. Since then, the
Schellenberg family has donated the copyright along with the personal papers of
Theodore R. Schellenberg to the Kansas State Historical Society. This edition in
the Archival Classics Series is published by the Society of American Archivists
by arrangement with the Kansas State Historical Society.
© 1956 by T.R. Schellenberg
© 1996 by Kansas State Historical Society
All rights reserved.
Reissued in 2003 with new introduction by H.G. Jones. “Introduction to the
2003 Reissue” © 2003 by Society of American Archivists. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN 0-931666-02-4
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To the
AUSTRALIAN ARCHIVISTS
this book
is
respectfully dedicated
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Contents
Page
Introduction to the 2003 Reissue . . . . . . . xi
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . xv
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
Part I—Introduction
Chapter 1. IMPORTANCE OF ARCHIVAL
INSTITUTIONS
Establishment of National Archives . . . . . 3
Reasons for Archival Establishments . . . . . 8
Chapter 2. NATURE OF ARCHIVES
Definitions. . . . . . . . . . 11
Elements in Definition . . . . . . . 13
Definition of Modern Archives . . . . . . 15
Chapter 3. LIBRARY RELATIONSHIPS
Differences in Holdings . . . . . . . 17
Differences in Method . . . . . . . 20
Chapter 4. ARCHIVAL INTERESTS IN RECORD
MANAGEMENT
Interest in Maintenance Practices . . . . . 27
Interest in Disposition Practices . . . . . . 28
Part II—Record Management
Chapter 5. ESSENTIALS OF RECORD
MANAGEMENT
Nature of Modern Records. . . . . . . 35
Nature of Activities . . . . . . . . 37
Nature of Organization . . . . . . . 39
Chapter 6. PRODUCTION CONTROLS
Simplification of Functioning . . . . . . 44
Simplification of Work Processes . . . . . 45
Simplification of Record Procedures . . . . . 46
vii
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Page
Chapter 7. CLASSIFICATION PRINCIPLES
Elements of Classification . . . . . . . 53
Classification Practices . . . . . . . 57
Classification Principles . . . . . . . 62
Chapter 8. REGISTRY SYSTEMS
Developing Systems . . . . . . . . 67
Characteristics of Systems . . . . . . . 75
Chapter 9. AMERICAN FILING SYSTEMS
Origins of Systems . . . . . . . . 79
Development of Modern Systems . . . . . 81
Types of Modern Filing Systems . . . . . 84
Chapter 10. DISPOSITION PRACTICES
Types of Descriptions . . . . . . . 95
Disposition Documents . . . . . . . 97
Disposition Actions . . . . . . . . 104
Part III—Archival Management
Chapter 11. ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS OF
ARCHIVAL MANAGEMENT
Nature of Modern Archives . . . . . . 113
Nature of Activities . . . . . . . . 117
Nature of Authority . . . . . . . . 119
Nature of Organization . . . . . . . 126
Chapter 12. APPRAISAL STANDARDS
European Standards . . . . . . . . 133
American Standards . . . . . . . . 139
Chapter 13. PRESERVATION PRACTICES
Storage Facilities . . . . . . . . 161
Repair Facilities . . . . . . . . 164
Alternatives to Repair . . . . . . . 166
Chapter 14. PRINCIPLES OF ARRANGEMENT
Development of Principles in Europe . . . . . 169
Development of Principles in America . . . . 179
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . 187
viii
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Page
Chapter 15. DESCRIPTION PRACTICES
European Finding Aids . . . . . . . 195
American Finding Aids . . . . . . . 204
Chapter 16. PUBLICATION PROGRAMS
Responsibilities for Publication . . . . . . 216
Forms of Publication . . . . . . . . 219
Chapter 17. REFERENCE SERVICE
Policies Governing Access . . . . . . . 225
Policies Governing Use . . . . . . . 231
Footnotes . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Index . . . . . . . . . . . 243
ix
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