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Why are archives important?

Records are created by the activities of organisations and people; they serve an active purpose while in current use and some of them are later selected for permanent preservation as part of an archival collection. The archive will include analogue and digital material that needs to be stored and managed so it can be discovered, accessed and used by both current and future generations.

Archives have value to nations and regions, organisations, communities, and individual people. They provide evidence of activities, they tell stories, document people and serve as valuable sources of information for research. Local authorities have statutory responsibilities relating to archives, including making them publicly accessible, usually through a dedicated archive service staffed by qualified archivists; archive services can also be found in universities, businesses, historic houses and charities across the UK.

Why an archive of your cultural infrastructure project is key

Large cultural infrastructure projects are intended to be a catalyst for change including creating a positive legacy for the place and its communities. Capturing key records created by your project and placing these into the care of the local authority archive service ensures it will become part of the history of the locality. Large amounts of public money are spent on these projects, and the archive also informs local communities how this money was spent, how key decisions were made, and what was achieved.

In most situations collecting material of historic value is reactive and occurs after the event has occurred. For large cultural infrastructure projects, a proactive approach is imperative, as we know beforehand that this story is one that needs to be captured and preserved so it can be subsequently re-told. If we wait ten years before gathering the material only a small fraction will have survived, meaning we will have an incomplete version of the story.

Working with a qualified archivist from the beginning of your project will help you to create an archive that covers the planning, delivery, and legacy of your project. An archivist is a professional whose role is to collect, manage and provide access to a wide range of archive collections. They understand how digital and analogue material needs to be cared for to ensure its preservation.