Today is International Archive Day

The National Records Service, The Gambia will today join the rest of the world to observe International Archive Day 2016.

9th June was set aside by the International Archival Community to commemorate International Archives Day. The theme for this year’s celebration is; “Archives, Harmony and Friendship.”

The National Archives of The Gambia would observe the day in The Gambia, under the auspices of the National Records Service. The event would promote Records and Archives Services as well as raise public awareness on what are archives and the importance of Archive.

Elizabeth J.P Bahoum, director of National Records Service, said National Records Service was established by an ACT of Parliament in 1993, which mandated it to manage all Public records from creation to ultimate destruction or permanent preservation as archives.

Madam Bahoum said this was made possible by the creation of three (3) Divisions namely, Current Records Division, IT Division and Semi Current/Archives Division. “The Archives Division manages the operations of the National Archives after Records have been appraised and transferred from the records Centre (elsewhere) to the National Archives for permanent retention.”

The director of National Records Service said an Act of Parliament passed in 1967 established National Archive of The Gambia. The Archives were to house the records, ensuring their preservation and allowing exploitation by the Public.

She noted that in 1993 the National Records Service Act was passed adding that it was an important development because it gave the NRS responsibility for the management of Public records throughout their life cycle, from creation to ultimate disposal.

“The broad objectives of NRS are to streamline, develop and improve records keeping system within government, ensuring efficiency, transparency and accountability, while continuing to protect valuable records for the benefit of posterity.”

Fuente: http://observer.gm/today-is-international-archive-day/