Articles

The Computer's Future in Archival Management: An Evaluation

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Abstract

For some time now, the library profession has employed computers to handle a wide range of routine clerical and bibliographic functions.I More recently, BALLOTS (Bibliographic Automation of Large Library Operations using a Time-sharing System), OCLC (Ohio College Library Center), and other on-line, interactive systems have expanded library automation still further into cooperative acquisitions, cataloging, and information retrieval.2 Archivists, by contrast, have done little to exploit potential uses of the computer. Government agenices, faced with the task of establishing physical and intellectual control over enormous collections of records, have turned to the computer but only limited success. 3 The National Archives in Washington, D.C., the Public Records Office in London, and the Archives Nationale in Paris have made substantial progress in establishing automated systems for both the internal control of documents and the generation of finding aids.4 Nevertheless, archivists at these institutions share the view that even within their own organizations they have a long way to go before these systems are completely satisfactory. Though success has proven elusive, the potential benefits of archival automation in reducing costs and staff time while increasing the efficiency of user services argues cogently for perseverance. This essay will briefly survey the ground archivists have already covered and comment on where we ought to go from here.

How to Cite:

Kesner, R. M., (1978) “The Computer's Future in Archival Management: An Evaluation”, Archival Issues 3(2), 25–35.