Articles

The Importance of Financial Analysis of Archival Programs

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Abstract

Financial aspects of archival administration can be divided into two basic areas-regular institutional support and special grants for limited term projects. As such, financing is an essential element of any archival program, but it has been widely neglected in the professional literature. While much ignored, the budget is central to the operation of any archives. It provides salaries for staff and covers the cost of equipment and supplies. It dictates the types of programs that the archives can pursue. Grants for special purposes are also important since, with more repositories relying on them for supplemental support, their preparation and administration constitute a growing segment of the archivist's duties. This essay argues that the major functions of an archives can be measured on a cost-per-unit basis, and that detailed studies in these terms can be an important administrative tool when dealing with both budgets and grants. It examines the development and measurement of both regular operating budgets and grants, and it suggests areas for further study by archivists. Although this article has been influenced by experience in college and university archives, the financial considerations it delineates have a broader application.

How to Cite:

Maher, W. J., (1978) “The Importance of Financial Analysis of Archival Programs”, Archival Issues 3(2), 3–24.