The Accidental Archivist

Now that we are on the verge of an information overload, the current interest in preserving records of our past has become a matter of importance. In this book I have chosen to use as an example the popular interest in genealogy, but this will easily translate into almost any subject matter. I have concentrated largely on those items that are likely to find their way into the hands of archivists who never imagined that they would be one. Those who will now have the duty of guardian until such time as it needs to be passed to another generation. But in as orderly and secure manner as possible. If you are planning to archive anything from family history to railway history, I am sure that you will find much thoughtful and helpful information. Everything from photographs to sound recordings, film and computer data are considered, but with an eye to the future, when new technologies of data storage could bring about considerable changes in the way archives are managed.