Global Perspectives on the Challenges and Prospects of Accessing and Using Documentary Heritage

Abstract

The ability of national archival institutions to make available the documentary heritage in their custody is the sole basis for justification of their existence and relevance in society. As such, archival institutions are faced with a great responsibility to ensure that they are visible and able to attract large visitor-ship. This chapter provides a global perspective on the challenges and prospects surrounding the accessibility and use of documentary heritage. The chapter largely relies on a review of literature to discuss the future of archives' utilisation and to explore the challenges which the global archival community has endured in the provision of access to and use of their archival holdings. The common factor established in extant literature is that access is the most critical archival function, yet it is proving to be the most challenging.