International Council On Archives Research Articles

Parsing privacy for archivists

Protection of privacy is a key issue in determining the extent to which archival materials are to be made accessible to the public. But what is informational privacy; i.e., what are the elements of information found in any type of document or database that must be withheld to avoid intruding on the privacy of an individual? This essay first examines post-World War II international statements that reference privacy. Then it turns to statements referring to privacy issued by the International Council on Archives (ICA), the worldwide professional organization that represents the archival profession to UNESCO. Third is a brief look at several 21st century academic considerations of privacy, one each by a lawyer, a philosopher, and an historian. Finally, it outlines some of the contextual elements that help archivists manage sensitive materials, even without a final definition of informational privacy.

Endangered cultural heritage in the Russia–Ukraine war: comparing and critiquing interventions by international cultural heritage organizations

ABSTRACT Cultural heritage in Ukraine is presently endangered. As Russia’s war against the country continues, Ukrainian cultural heritage has been damaged, destroyed, and remains at risk. Interventions into the war initiated by the international cultural heritage community commenced with the issuance of formal public statements regarding the war and its implications. This article reviews the statements by some of the world’s leading cultural heritage organizations, specifically the International Council on Archives (ICA), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Twin objectives are offered: first, establishing an overview of the international cultural heritage community’s early communications regarding the war; and second, comparing and critiquing these public pronouncements and implications for Ukrainian cultural heritage. Ultimately, a joint contemporary and historical snapshot situating the international cultural heritage community within the war’s early stages is presented.

Development of the Borobudur Conservation Archives services with ICA-AtoM

The Borobudur Conservation Office as a memory institution manages its archives and disseminates information about preserving the Borobudur Temple. The Borobudur Conservation Archives have also recognized as a Memory of the World by UNESCO in 2017. Therefore, developing a website using the ICA Atom platform based on open source is important for accessibility of the Borobudur Conservation Archives at the Borobudur Conservation Office. The purpose this study is explain how development of the Borobudur Conservation Archives accessed services through the ICA-AtoM platform with analysis the process of integrating digitized data and the development of the Borobudur Conservation Archives. This study used a qualitative approach with data collection methods: literature study, participatory observation, and interviews. A literature study used library sources related to the research topic. The participatory observation was conducted through fieldwork practices for two months, from 21 December 2020 to 26 February 2021, at the Borobudur Conservation Office. This study used structured and unstructured interviews. The study result was that the development of the ICA-AtoM design had been adapted to the needs of the Borobudur Conservation Office. From the aspect of usage, the developed website https://arsip.borobudurpedia.id has met user needs with standards issued by the International Council on Archives (ICA) and metadata standards. In conclusion, the development of the ICA AtoM platform version 2.5 and the creation of archival information contextualized as shared content for users with evidentiary value, informational value, and intrinsic value are uploaded to the website, including archival descriptions, authority records, and archival institutions.

Factors influencing access to archives at Botswana National Archives and Records Services

As the responsibility for governments to account and be transparent evolves, access to information is becoming a significant tool in that regard. As such, most countries prioritised access to archives to uphold accountability and transparency, particularly in democratic states. However, for some institutions, access to archives is still a challenge. In this regard, this paper sought to assess the factors that affect access to archives at the Botswana National Archives and Records services (BNARS) with the aim of finding solutions to improve access to archives in Botswana. The study adopted a qualitative approach to review literature on the factors that affect access to archives. The study found that access to archives at BNARS is impacted by copyright issues; weak and lacking appropriate legislative framework; distance barriers; as well as logistical barriers. Ultimately, the paper reflects that several solutions such as the development and review of the legislative framework regarding access to archives, improvement of logistical and operational standards, and implementation of policies are recommended. These interventions should be implemented in line with the International Council on Archives (ICA) principles of access to archives. This would pave way for improved access to archives and archival repositories in Botswana and the ESARBICA region at large.

Recordkeeping Cultures

Recordkeeping Cultures

Standard of Records in Contexts (RiC): Analytical Study

The International Council on Archives (ICA) has issued the standard Called Records in Contexts (RiC). This study has tried to identify the nature of the conceptual Model of that standard (RiC-CM), and its ontology (RiC-O), using the descriptive-analytical approach; and provided- also- an example of using (RiC-CM), (RiC-O) in describing an archival Arabic documentary source. The study has concluded that (RiC) can be used to produce Catalogues, indexes, authority files... and other contextual descriptive tools, which have linked semantic structures; to support records retrieval in the digital environment. And the RiC-O ontology structure is more mature than that of the RiC-CM model. In the end, the study has recommended that the National Archives in Arab Countries, as major partners in the archival community, should hold conferences; panel discussions; to discuss issues related to using the RiC standard in the description of Arabic documents; to send the results of these discussions to the ICA-EGAD team supervising the RiC standard; To contribute to its development.

Policy and legal framework for digital archives curation

The purpose of this study was to explore the legislative and policy frameworks in support of digital archives curation, and the challenges inherent in digital archives curation in the context of Botswana public sector. The study used qualitative content analysis to resolve the research problem. The data collected was analysed thematically. The International Council on Archives (ICA) Principles on Access to Archives were used as a conceptual framework to guide the study. Digital curation is a function modern archivists cannot ignore nor shy away from. The study findings revealed that the legislative and policy framework for digital archives curation exists, but it is weak. In addition, the study revealed that there are constraints hindering access to archives including, among others, inadequate funding, inappropriate infrastructure, shortage of skilled personnel and time restrictions to enable wider access. Therefore, the researchers hope that insights from this study can shed light on the current state of affairs on digital archives curation and provide future directions for guiding digital archives curation at Botswana National Archives and Records Services.

国際文書館評議会（ICA）2008年クアラルンプール大会に参加して

国際文書館評議会（ICA）2008年クアラルンプール大会に参加して

Lindsay Cleland, 1928–2017

James Lindsay Cleland, known as Lindsay, passed away on 15 August 2017 aged 89. Lindsay’s archival career spanned the development of professional archives administration in Australia: the establishment of the Manuscripts section of the National Library in the 1960s; the transformations of the National Archives in the 1970s and 1980s; the initial activities of the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA) in the mid 1970s; the formation of the Pacific Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (ICA) and forging links between the ASA and the international archives community in the 1980s.

Archives in Africa: an Overview with Examples of Recent Initiatives

There are between 195 and 200 countries in the world (depending upon whether or not certain controversial cases are included), of which 54 are in Africa. All of these countries have some sort of archives service in one or more institutions, and there are usually around 195 countries represented in the membership of the International Council on Archives (ICA). The archival collections which are universally held are governmental archives. Every country with membership of ICA has an archives service which collects and preserves records of national government, in part or in whole. A great majority of ICA member countries (but not all) also hold archives of local, municipal or regional government, as well as collections of parliamentary papers (which are generally regarded as distinct from papers of government).

Access to archives of organizations of faith traditions

The Principles of Access to Archives, adopted in 2012 by the International Council on Archives (ICA), address the basic right of the public to access archives, and the responsibility of archivists and of other stakeholders of archives to ensure their permanent availability. These Principles are a solid and much-needed foundation to guarantee that historians, who are in search of relevant sources for their research, have independent access to archives. To date, the application and impact of the Principles has been weak, and generally limited to archives that hold documents on human rights violations. Looking beyond this important focus, this paper considers how archives of churches and faith organizations would be well-served by following the Principles of Access to Archives as a guideline of best practices, using the World Council of Churches (WCC) to illustrate the importance of open access to archives of faith traditions, which preserve important historical material.

Toward an International Conceptual Model for Archival Description: A Preliminary Report from the International Council on Archives' Experts Group on Archival Description

The International Council on Archives (ICA) appointed the Experts Group on Archival Description (EGAD) in late 2012. ICA charged this group with developing a conceptual model for archival description that will reconcile and integrate the four existing ICA descriptive standards. The EGAD will build on more than twenty years of ICA standards development, national or project-based modeling work in the archival community, and the modeling work of allied professional communities. This work will have as its core objective developing a conceptual model that reflects an international professional consensus and that positions the archival community to take full advantage of opportunities presented by current and emerging communication technologies, including the opportunities to work cooperatively within and without the archival community in a shared quest to provide enhanced access to and understanding of the human record.

Access principles: developing a statement of best practice

A session on standards at the International Council on Archives (ICA) Congress in Vienna, Austria, in 2004 identified the need in archival practice for a standard on access. This article follows the journey of the ICA Committee on Best Practices and Standards' working group on access principles from Vienna in 2004 to Brisbane, Australia in 2012 when the Principles of Access to Archives were unanimously adopted by the General Assembly. It examines the genesis of the standard, the philosophical and practical tenets that underpin it and the models of standards development within and external to ICA that were consulted. It further details the contributions of working group members and of the regionally and section-based consultative group that reviewed the draft principles, and the long process of vetting, consultation and approval.

The costs of a free, open-source software implementation: building ICCROM, a web-based archival catalogue using ICA-AtoM

To meet the needs of archives around the world whose budgets do not allow for expenditure on software licenses, the International Council on Archives (ICA) supported development of the Access to Memory (AtoM) system, a free, open-source processing and access tool. For archives facing tighter budgets than ever, the appeal is obvious. So what's the catch? This is the story of the hidden organisational costs of an open-source software implementation project at the Archives of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).

The International Committee of the Blue Shield

The Blue Shield is the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross. It is the symbol specified in the 1954 Hague Convention for marking cultural sites to give them protection from attack in the event of armed conflict. It is also the name of an international committee set up in 1996 to work to protect the world's cultural heritage threatened by wars and natural disasters. The Mission of the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) is to work for the protection of the world's cultural heritage by coordinating preparations to meet and respond to emergency situations. The ICBS covers museums and archives, historic sites and libraries. It brings together the knowledge, experience and international networks of the four expert organizations dealing with cultural heritage: the International Council on Archives (ICA), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). More information can be found at www.ifla.org/blueshield.htm

The international standard for the description of archives: a progress report

Progress report on efforts to develop an international standard for the description of archives (ISDA(G)) under the auspices of the International Council on Archives (ICA).

International Council on Archives, Committee on Professional Education and Training Meeting, April 1987, Grenada, Spain

The Committee on Professional Education and Training of the International Council on Archives (ICA) met in Grenada, Spain, on 27-29 April 1987. The agenda focused on both procedural and substantive matters. Members attending the meeting were Francis X. Blouin, Jr., (U.S.A.), Bruno Delmas (France), Norma de Goes Montiero (Brazil), Carlo Paganini (Italy), J. Peter Sigmond (Netherlands), Stefka SlavovaPetkova (Bulgaria), Abdeljelil Temimi (Tunisia), Bodil Ulate-Segura (Sweden), and Michael Cook (Great Britain), chair. Corresponding members attending the meeting included Carol Couture (Canada), Marcelino Rodrigues Pereira and Julio de Sousa Ramos (Portugal), Mariela Alvarez Rodriguez (Columbia), and Carlos Alessio Rossato (Brazil). Charles Kesckemeti of the ICA also attended.

Promoting Archives and Research: A Study in International Cooperation

The establishment of the International Council on Archives (ICA) in 1950 made it possible for Unesco to undertake, on a global scale, a number of activities to promote greater accessibility and more effective use of archives and development of the archival infrastructure of its member states, particularly in the developing countries. Close cooperation with ICA also enabled Unesco to initiate in 1979 a comprehensive long-term Records and Archives Management Program (RAMP), which further broadened this program to include development of the archival profession itself. This article details the results of Unesco-ICA cooperation, largely through publications, in two significant areas of the overall program, research in archives and archival research.

Le Comite De L'Informatique Du Conseil International Des Archives: son activité et ses projets

Traces the origins of the Automation Committee of the International Council on Archives (ICA) and summarizes its objectives and achievements with regard to publications, training and research studies. (In French)

Guide to the Sources for the History of the Nations

In 1958, Unesco and the International Council on Archives (ICA) decided to anticipate the needs of historical research in the newly emancipated Third World by creating the Guide to the Sources for the History of the Nations. This was intended to make accessible the documentary sources for the history of Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania preserved in Europe and the United States. An International Technical Committee was set up, consisting of representatives from the various national archives. This Committee formulated specifications for the preparation of the guides. In each national volume, sources were to be described according to the individual repository, and, within each repository, by grouping or series. According to the nature of each group, descriptions will concentrate on the speciality and functions of the organisation producing the records or on the subjects which can be studied with their help. To this are added data about the size of the archives, the available inventories or other entries and their value. The guides will also include privately-owned archives (family and business archives), manuscript collections in libraries, maps and plans, iconographic materials, sound archives and microfilms. In describing maps and iconographic materials, emphasis will be laid on MSS and printed material from before 1700. It is not intended to replace the existing inventories, catalogues or indexes (printed or not), but to provide a first entry to the sources, with a maximum of information in a condensed and usable form. In several cases, however, summary listing of source material will be unavoidable, for instance when relevant material in a collection of individual documents or in a map collection has never been adequately described.