Arhiivid

Arhiivid, Estonian for archives, denote organized collections of records created or received by individuals, families, organizations, or institutions in the course of activities and preserved for their documentary value. Arhiivid may be public, such as national or municipal archives, or private, including business records, personal papers, and associations. They document decisions, actions, and events and serve accountability, legal, historical, and research purposes.

In Estonia, archival work is governed by the Archives Act. The National Archives of Estonia (Rahvusarhiiv) coordinates policy, standards, and long-term preservation for national and public records, while regional and organizational archives maintain local collections and provide access. Access policies balance transparency with privacy and security, restricting certain records as required by law.

Typical archival activities include appraisal, arrangement, and description; reference services; and preservation. Descriptions commonly employ international metadata standards such as ISAD(G) for finding aids and ISAAR(CPF) for authority data to support discovery and interoperability. Digitization and the management of born-digital records are increasingly central, with digital surrogates and digital preservation designed to ensure long-term usability through online access and established metadata.

Arhiivid contribute to culture, memory, and research, sustaining public memory and aiding administrative transparency. They continue to adapt to technological changes, expanding digital access, and participating in open-data and heritage initiatives while maintaining professional standards for provenance, authenticity, and rights management.