The Determination of Value in Archival Science and the Ever Evolving Theories of Records Selection

Authors

  • Lekoko Kenosi University of Botswana
  • Trevor Moathodi University of Botswana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/el.v23i1.12116

Keywords:

Archival Science, Records Selection, Taxonomy of Records Appraisal

Abstract

The task of purging some records and retaining others for long term preservation in an archival repository has not been an easy one for records professionals. This task is even made more difficult by the fact that what is destroyed as useless by todays standards can prove to be of invaluable use tomorrow. Ideally, archivists would want to keep everything to avoid such errors of judgment. However, the reality of limited storage facilities and the rate at which records are generated makes it impossible to preserve each and every record produced. This paper, co- authored by a graduate student and his mentor, discusses theories of records selection to help shape the difficult decisions of to keep and what to eliminate in an archival repository.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/el.v23i1.12116

Eastern Librarian Vol.23(1) 2012 pp.24-36

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Author Biographies

Lekoko Kenosi, University of Botswana

Lekoko Kenosi has a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) from the University of Botswana. A Masters degree in Archival Studies (MAS) from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh, USA. A US Fulbright Scholar in Archival Studies, and a member of the University of British Columbia Interpares project, Dr Kenosi teaches and specializes in archival theory, records management, electronic records and in Sound, Video, Film and Television archives at the University of Botswana. He has published extensively in the area of records and archives.

Trevor Moathodi, University of Botswana

Trevor Moatlhodi is an archives and records management practitioner with a Diploma in Archives and Records Management and a Bachelor Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Botswana. He has 8 years experience in the field of Records Management. He acquired his experience by serving at positions of records officer, assistant records manager and records manager at Botswana National Archives and Records Services (BNARS). While with BNARS he was responsible for management of the records centre (which involved organizing and coordinating appraisal of records), as well as the coordination of records management activities in several ministries. He co-authored his first professional article entitled ?Battling the appraisal backlog: A challenging professional obligation for Botswana National Archives and Records Services? in 2009. The paper was presented at the 20th ESARBICA conference and published in the ESARBICA journal in 2010. He has a strong background on both manual and Electronic Records Management Systems. Trevor is currently with Botswana Training Authority as a Records Manager since 2010. He is also reading for his Masters in Archives and Records Management at the University of Botswana.

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Published

2012-10-09

How to Cite

Kenosi, L., & Moathodi, T. (2012). The Determination of Value in Archival Science and the Ever Evolving Theories of Records Selection. Eastern Librarian, 23(1), 24–36. https://doi.org/10.3329/el.v23i1.12116

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Articles