arkkistoiminen

Arkkistoiminen refers to the practice of archiving, which involves the systematic management, preservation, and retrieval of records and other information resources. These resources can be in various formats, including paper documents, digital files, photographs, audio-visual materials, and artifacts. The primary goal of archiving is to ensure the long-term accessibility and usability of information that has historical, legal, administrative, or cultural value.

Archiving typically involves several key stages. First, records are selected for archival retention based on established criteria. This selection process, often called appraisal, determines which documents are significant enough to be preserved permanently or for an extended period. Once selected, the records are organized, described, and made accessible to users through finding aids like catalogs and indexes. Preservation is a crucial aspect, involving measures to protect the records from deterioration, damage, or loss. This can include environmental controls, physical housing, and digital preservation techniques.

Archival institutions vary widely, encompassing national archives, state and local archives, university archives, corporate archives, and specialized archives for specific industries or subject areas. The principles of archival science, such as provenance (maintaining the original order and context of records from a single creator) and original order, are fundamental to ensuring the integrity and authenticity of archival collections. Arkkistoiminen plays a vital role in historical research, accountability, and the collective memory of societies and organizations.