What is information?
Information is communicated knowledge. This knowledge is preserved through records in many formats.
What are records?
Records are information that is documented in a material format. Records can be paper based, digital, or analog.
What are archives?
Archives are records that are important to keep for posterity.
- They provide evidence of human activity - They provide historical data about people, places, goods, and events - The provide legal or financial data important to the continuance of the institution - They embody intrinsic value as objects of beauty or sentimentality
Without archives our political systems and business organizations would not retain their authority. Our progress would be inhibited due to lack of knowledge about past successes and failures. Our sense of community and culture would be lacking .