Arkistotyön

Arkistotyön, or archival work, is the professional practice concerned with managing records of enduring value created or received by individuals, organizations, or public bodies. The aim is to preserve the authenticity, reliability, and accessibility of these records for current and future generations. Archives are curated to document decisions, actions, and histories, and to support research, accountability, and cultural memory.

Key tasks include appraisal (deciding what to keep or discard), arrangement and description (organizing records and creating finding aids), conservation and storage (physical and digital preservation), and facilitating access. Archivists create metadata and catalogs that describe the provenance, content, and context of collections, enabling researchers to locate relevant materials. They also provide reference services and manage long-term retention policies.

In the digital era, arkistotyö increasingly involves managing born-digital records, digitization of paper materials, and implementing digital preservation strategies to prevent obsolescence. Metadata standards and interoperable formats support interoperability across institutions. Institutions also develop policies for privacy, access restrictions, and rights management.

Professionals in the field work within archives, libraries, museums, government agencies, and corporations. Common standards and frameworks include international archival descriptions such as ISAD(G) and ISAAR(CPF), and, in many countries, national legislation governing records management and public access. Ethical considerations emphasize authenticity, integrity, and respect for sensitive information.

In Finland, arkistotyö is shaped by national archives and legislation; the Kansallisarkisto (National Archives) preserves state records and coordinates archival activity, while local archives manage regional collections. The work supports transparency, research, and cultural heritage by making authentic records available under appropriate access rules.