Arhivski vjesnik, Vol. 68 , 2025.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.36506/av.68.1
Data Archiving as a New Postcustodial Phase and the Need to Redefine Archival Terminology
Arian Rajh
orcid.org/0000-0001-7567-7495
; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences University of Zageb
Abstract
Data archiving could represent a new phase in postcustodial archiving.This article underscores the importance of modifying archival practice and discourseto accommodate data archiving. The author considers data and informationas essential as records in archival practice and, consequently, in archival discourseand legislation. He also proposes redefining archival terminology to alignthe profession with contemporary times.The article starts by analysing the notion of archival science within thelarger context of information. After that, the author discusses the Croatian legaldefinitions related to current and archival materials. Retention schedules for creatorsalready include procedures involving databases and data, prompting theauthor to question whether the definitions of materials should be expanded tocover non-documentary forms of materials. They are being produced in the usualtrack of businesses and kept as archival, and they are vastly produced in the privatesphere. Data quantities become enormous, and archivists should not ignorethis. The author considers broader terms of data and information over the narrowerterms of the document because the document is linked to a group of dominantor exclusive information-inscribing practices from the past. He emphasizesthe importance of treating data archiving as a crucial aspect of contemporaryarchival practice, as data now makes up most of the information landscape. Thearticle provides several examples demonstrating that data is frequently the only orsuperiour source for future information purposes in comparison to records. Theauthor presents a SWOT analysis of archival practices, focusing on data archiving, in their current state. The skills needed for archivists are being assessed for properdata archiving practices.The subject of archival science, namely archives, has a twofold meaning:as a place dedicated to storing materials and as the materials themselves, thedocumentary legacies of record creators. There are similarities between the impactof technological changes and social changes that go with them of the last two tothree decades of the twentieth century and today. The author compares the firstwave of postcustodialism with today’s happenings. The first postcustodial phasewas initiated by the computer revolution and its impact on document production.The notion of the archive as an exclusive place of records was broadened,and archival science caught up with the new reality. In our contemporary society,we rely on data in all aspects of our social and private lives. With this similarlysignificant change, if we should redefine the second meaning of our subject,archives, are we looking to the next phase of postcustodial archival discourse? Thelast part of the article deals with the redefinition of archives as materials and proposesa way to redefine them.
Keywords
data; data archiving; documenting; information materials; postcustodial archival practice; terminology
Hrčak ID:
341833
URI
Publication date:
19.12.2025.
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