Archiv

An archive, in German usage Archiv, is both a physical repository and the curated collection of records preserved for long-term use and reference. Archives document the activities of organizations, institutions, and individuals, and may include written documents, maps, photographs, audio and video recordings, digital files, and other materials deemed to have enduring value.

The term derives from Latin archīvum through Old French archives and into German usage. In practice, an archive selects records for preservation based on value and provenance, distinguishing them from libraries that primarily collect published works.

Types of archives include national, regional, and local government archives; corporate and organizational archives; religious and military archives; and university or private archives. They vary in access policies and scope, but share a focus on preserving evidence of human activity over time.

Core archival activities include appraisal (selection of records for long-term retention), accessioning (creating a permanent record of the item’s existence), arrangement and description (ordering materials and providing finding aids), conservation, and enabling access for researchers. Metadata and standardized descriptions support discovery across collections.

Digital archives collect born-digital materials and digitize analog holdings. They rely on digitization, digital preservation, and metadata schemes to ensure long-term usability. Access may be restricted by legal, privacy, or copyright concerns.

Archivists follow professional standards and laws governing access and accountability. International bodies such as the International Council on Archives and national associations provide guidelines. Archives contribute to scholarship, public history, governance, and cultural memory.