Archivál

Archivál, in Hungarian, refers to the act of placing records or data into a long‑term archive for preservation and future retrieval. The related noun archiválás denotes the process itself, while archívum is the archive or repository, and levéltár typically describes a public or institutional archive holding historical records. Archiválás is practiced in libraries, archives, corporations, and government bodies and covers both physical materials (paper, microforms) and digital objects.

The process typically includes appraisal and selection of material for retention, transfer to an archive, and the creation of descriptive metadata to enable search and retrieval. In digital archiving, additional preservation actions are required to ensure long‑term readability, such as choosing stable file formats (for example PDF/A, TIFF, WAV), conducting regular integrity checks with checksums, and maintaining redundant copies across geographically dispersed storage. Metadata standards commonly used include Dublin Core, PREMIS, and METS, and the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) provides a framework for long‑term preservation and access.

Practical considerations include access policies, copyright and privacy constraints, and retention schedules that determine how long items must be kept. Challenges include format obsolescence, data degradation, insufficient metadata, and cost, while benefits encompass compliance with legal requirements, protection of cultural heritage, and the ability to retrieve information decades after its creation.

See also archívum, levéltár, archiválási rendszerek, digital preservation.