Selection and audiovisual collections

Abstract

Selection and appraisal are two of the most essential and important tasks in records and collections management. The volume and nature of audiovisual materials influence the principles of selection and the particular characteristics of audiovisual materials make a difference to the purpose, level and principles of selection involved. Audiovisual materials are looked at and the particular problems they present are shown, including the necessity to keep material as close to the original intention of the producer and the need to retain edited and unedited materials is demonstrated as a matter of course. Selection, however, is imperative in view of the volume of the material, and the costs of storage and preservation. The principles of selection are examined including choosing material according to the terms of reference to the particular collection involved, the unique or rarity value of the material, its integrity and its technical quality. Rights issues are also briefly addressed as these may influence whether material is retained or not. The article is written within the context of the Memory of the World Programme, but is not intended as a recommendation of a set of criteria, but rather as an analysis of the existing conditions and needs of audiovisual archives and collections. It argues that selection in audiovisual archives and collections is at a different level with different purposes, and the different criteria are discussed. The criteria for the Memory of the World selection policy and procedures are introduced and contrasted with the normal procedures which exist in working archives and collections.