Main Article Content
Digitization of archival materials: The case of national archives of Zambia
Abstract
The article reviews the digitization project done at the National
Archives of Zambia. The patrimony of the National Archives of
Zambia is immense and of unquestionable historical relevance.
However, it suffered from both a lack of exposure and from an
outdated system of record keeping and consultation. While not many
interested parties were able to access the materials directly, those
who did contributed unwittingly to their gradual destruction: when
associated with other external agents, physical consultation can be
greatly detrimental. The article reveals that the objectives of the
project were to safeguard and ensure the preservation of the most
valuable and perishable components of the archival patrimony of the
National Archives of Zambia; to render them more accessible and
facilitate their future fruition by a broader number of researchers and
interested parties; to enable a select group of the National Archives of
Zambia’s members of staff to gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in electronic records management and website design; and to enhance the national and international visibility of the National Archives of Zambia by increasing awareness of its holdings. The article discusses the activities that were undertaken to achieve each objective and the contribution made by external players. The article concludes by assessing the challenges posed by the project, the experience gained and lessons learnt.
Archives of Zambia. The patrimony of the National Archives of
Zambia is immense and of unquestionable historical relevance.
However, it suffered from both a lack of exposure and from an
outdated system of record keeping and consultation. While not many
interested parties were able to access the materials directly, those
who did contributed unwittingly to their gradual destruction: when
associated with other external agents, physical consultation can be
greatly detrimental. The article reveals that the objectives of the
project were to safeguard and ensure the preservation of the most
valuable and perishable components of the archival patrimony of the
National Archives of Zambia; to render them more accessible and
facilitate their future fruition by a broader number of researchers and
interested parties; to enable a select group of the National Archives of
Zambia’s members of staff to gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in electronic records management and website design; and to enhance the national and international visibility of the National Archives of Zambia by increasing awareness of its holdings. The article discusses the activities that were undertaken to achieve each objective and the contribution made by external players. The article concludes by assessing the challenges posed by the project, the experience gained and lessons learnt.
