Open AccessARCHIVAL PRESERVATION PRACTICES AT THE RECORDS AND ARCHIVES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT IN TANZANIA
Author(s) -
Pendo Joseph Oweru,
Nathan Mnjama
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
mousaion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2663-659X
pISSN - 0027-2639
DOI - 10.25159/0027-2639/1680
Subject(s) - tanzania , records management , preparedness , data collection , business , medical record , environmental resource management , medicine , geography , political science , environmental planning , library science , computer science , sociology , social science , law , radiology , environmental science
The aim of this study was to assess preservation practices at the Records and Archives Management Department (RAMD) in Tanzania and to make recommendations aimed at ensuring the long-term preservation and accessibility of archives held at RAMD. The population of the study consisted of the Director of RAMD, two Assistant Directors, ten Senior Records Officers, two Records Officers, three Senior Records Management Assistants, three Principal Records Management Assistants and one Records Management Assistant. The data collection instruments included questionnaires, interviews, observation and content analysis. Qualitative data analysis was used to gain a better understanding of the issues under investigation. The findings indicated that legislation relating to the preservation of archives in Tanzania is not comprehensive enough and that RAMD lacks a preservation policy; preserves only paper-based materials; experiences a shortage of storage equipment; holds records under poor environmental conditions; lacks proper archival handling; carries out inadequate housekeeping practices; lacks adequate security and disaster preparedness measures; has inadequate conservation and restoration facilities; is underfunded; and lacks trained and experienced conservators. The study recommends amendments to the Records and Archives Management Act No. 3 of 2002; the formulation of a conservation policy; improvements in housekeeping practices and handling practices; and effective monitoring of temperature and relative humidity.