asiakirjastöistä

Asiakirjastöt, commonly known as archives, are institutions dedicated to the systematic preservation, organization, and provision of access to records of enduring value. Unlike libraries, which primarily collect published books, archives focus on original documents and materials that provide evidence of activities, decisions, and transactions, such as manuscripts, photographs, organizational minutes, and digital files. The primary mission of an archive is to guarantee the long-term integrity and authenticity of these records, ensuring that they remain reliable sources for future research and legal purposes.

Archives employ specialized cataloguing systems—often adhering to standards like the Archival Description Standard (ADS) or the International Standard Archival Description (ISAD(G))—to document the provenance, content, and conditions of each item. Materials are typically arranged in "fonds" (original series) rather than by individual pieces, reflecting the subjective organization chosen by their creators. Preservation practices include environmental control, digitisation, microfilming, and, increasingly, cloud-based storage, which mitigate physical degradation while facilitating wider access.

Legal frameworks govern archives, with laws such as the Finnish Books and Printing Act and the Archives Act regulating accession, confidentiality, and public access. Freedom of Information statutes often mandate the release of records after a set deaccession period, balancing transparency with privacy concerns. Additionally, archives operate under international guidelines—such as the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions—to promote cross-border cooperation and safeguarding of cultural heritage.

Access to archival resources is regulated by institutions through read‑in facilities, online portals, and sometimes inter‑library loan agreements. Scholars, genealogists, journalists, and the general public benefit from these repositories, which capture the living memory of societies and contribute to cultural continuity.