This discussion of the oral history and oral tradition of Africa covers the nature of oral archives, theoretical objections to validity of oral tradition and oral history as historical sources, value of oral archives for African countries, accessibility of oral archives, and strategies for improved access. Footnotes are provided. (EJS)

This report describes the current situation of the Basbakanlik Arsiv (the archives of the Turkish Prime Minister's Office) and presents a series of recommendations for the improvement of the facilities, services, and staff of the archives. The legislative framework within which the archives operate, the holdings of the archives, the classification…

Discusses the basis for idea of harmonizing initial education of entrants to information professions. Progress toward coordination of curriculum, which is rare in developed countries although being adopted in schools in developing nations, is sketched from UNESCO discussions of 1974 through current activities of non-governmental organizations.…

Examines problems with archives and records management in Africa. Highlights include a lack of resources; poor management; inappropriate staff and inappropriate training; lack of effective tools and techniques; and suggested solutions, including support from top management, a change in archivists' attitudes, better staff selection and training,…

Developed under a contract with the International Council on Archives, these guidelines are designed to emphasize the role of automation techniques in archives and records services, provide an indication of existing computer systems used in different archives services and of specific computer applications at various stages of archives…

Prepared for Unesco's Records and Archives Management Programme (RAMP), this study is designed to provide archivists, manuscript and museum curators, and other interested information professionals in both industrialized and developing countries with an understanding of the archival character of photographs, and a set of guidelines for the…

Discusses the role of the archivist in recording oral history and the controversy concerning the allocation of resources for this activity when traditional archival functions lack adequate funding. Oral history programs in developing nations are described, with emphasis on funding and training of the interviewers. (CLB)

Intended to assist developing countries in the essential task of preserving historical records and, therefore, deliberately oriented towards economy and a low level of technology, this study provides an outline of currently accepted standards that archivists in developing countries, especially those in tropical areas, can apply to their own…

Prepared for Unesco's Records and Archives Management Programme (RAMP), this study is intended to introduce workers in archival services to the life cycle concept of records, and to the advantages of establishing a legally authorized and comprehensive program for the orderly disposal of modern institutional records. It is noted that, although the…

Reviews the current status of archival education programs, and discusses both the skills required by archivists, and the scarcity of appropriate training materials. A series of recommendations for the standardization of archival training programs made at a recent meeting of the UNESCO Department for the General Information Programme is presented.…

This study grew out of the discussions of a group of archivists convened in 1989. Although universal in application, the study was prepared particularly for developing countries and is intended for archivists who work with records containing personal information. The publication defines "personal information" and outlines the…

Intended for archivists and librarians, especially in developing countries, this study details the systems and principles important in planning and implementing a program for the preservation and restoration of paper documents and books. The importance of environmental (external) causes and effects of paper deterioration are discussed as well as…

Discusses the national archives of Zimbabwe, the legislation that has directed the collection and use of the archives, the value of colonial archives in the educational process, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the formation of national policy. (CLB)

Prepared for Unesco's Records and Archive Management Programme (RAMP), this study is designed to provide archivists and other interested information professionals with an introduction to machine-readable records and to provide guidelines for the appraisal of their archival value. The study assumes no prior knowledge of machine-readable records and…

Description of services and functions of special collections as found in the academic library covers criteria for acquisition of materials, categorization of formats, role of special collections in promoting university scholarship and research, archival and repository functions, and administration and policy. A 12-item bibliography is included.…