Arkistonhoito

Arkistonhoito (archival management) is a term in Finnish archival science referring to the management, preservation, and access to archives and records. It encompasses the life cycle of records from their creation or receipt, through appraisal, arrangement and description, storage, and long-term preservation, to the eventual disposal or transfer to an archival repository.

Key tasks in arkistonhoito include appraisal to determine retention periods; accessioning; arrangement and description to make materials discoverable; preservation measures for physical and digital formats; metadata creation; digitization; and providing access and reference services while respecting legal restrictions. The work is carried out by archivists and records managers in archives, libraries, museums, and organizations, and it often involves developing and applying retention schedules, finding aids, and access policies.

In the digital era, arkistonhoito also covers digital preservation, metadata standards, and strategies to ensure authenticity, integrity, and accessibility across technologies. Archivists must address privacy and confidentiality when handling personal data and restricted records, and access policies are aligned with laws and institutional guidelines. The field emphasizes long-term stewardship, provenance, and meaningful dissemination of information to current and future users.

In Finland, arkistonhoito is practiced across national, regional, and local archives, as well as within government agencies and cultural institutions. The National Archives of Finland (Kansallisarkisto) plays a central coordinating role, setting standards and supporting best practices to safeguard the archival heritage of the country.