Private records collection policy
Definitions
‘State archives’ – those records that have been appraised as having enduring value and have therefore been selected for permanent retention and transferred to the Archives Office of Tasmania.
‘Private records’ – information created, received, and maintained as evidence or information by a non-government organisation or an individual in the course of their business or personal transactions and interests.
Authority
Archives Act 1983
Tasmanian Cultural Collections Sector Private Records Collection Policy
Collection policy statement
The Archives Office of Tasmania seeks to acquire as ‘State archives’ those private records which have long-term value to the community and best document the political, social, cultural, economic and natural history of Tasmania.
These records will include those of individual Tasmanians and organisations such as community groups, churches, businesses and companies, political parties, trade and professional associations who have gained wide recognition or influence within the Tasmanian community and/or whose records provide significant insight into the nature and development of this community.
These records may include but are not limited to letters, diaries, minutes of meetings, reminiscences, maps, photographs, films, videos, and audio recordings. Records are collected in all formats including electronic documents/objects.
Collection priorities
As the State’s primary archival institution established by the Tasmanian Parliament the Archives Office of Tasmania has acquired and will continue to collect records that reflect a comprehensive range of institutional and individual activities undertaken within the Tasmanian community.
Certain private records of mainly regional interest may also be accepted if appropriate local collecting institutions do not have the resources to properly preserve and manage these archives.
Responsibilities
The Archives Office of Tasmania will:
- recognise that legal rights over private records are held by owners who are under no direct obligation to deposit the records,
- enter into clear and equitable agreements with the individuals and organisations who deposit private records in the Office,
- conform to the collection policy of the Tasmanian Cultural Collections Sector,
- take into account the collection policies of other collecting institutions,
- regularly exchange information on recent and planned acquisitions with other institutions in the Tasmanian Cultural Collections Sector Forum, and
- direct all government records to the public records authority of the relevant jurisdiction
