It is a place where people can go to gather firsthand facts, data, and evidence from different primary sources such as reports, notes, memos, photographs, maps and plans. The National Archives holds one of the largest archival collections in Malta, spanning from the 1530s up to the current day. In its holdings the collections total around 15 km of linear shelving, with an increment of approximately 1 km every year. This includes nearly 10,000 maps and a photographic collection of around 10,000 images (the majority of which are digitised).
Government ministries / departments / agencies create new records that may later be transferred to the National Archives once they are no longer required.
Government ministries / departments / agencies create new records that may later be transferred to the National Archives once they are no longer required. These valuable records are preserved for posterity as they are important for the continued functioning of the government, yet they also provide a wealth of information for members of the public, whether one is researching their family tree (genealogy), writing an academic paper, or simply researching a historical topic of interest.
In today's information society, the internet plays a vital communications role. The National Archives is a crucial player in this rapidity-changing information society. We have a very important mission to fulfill. The National Archives Act (V-2005) challenges us with the responsibility to "preserve the collective memory of the Maltese nation...". This is not an easy task to fulfill.
During the last eighteen years, the National Archives did an excellent job. We managed to equip three reading rooms and provide research services to a very diverse audience. We are now at the cross-roads of a very exciting challenge. We have to install in the Public Service the vision of nation-wide effective records management. We cannot preserve the collective memory of the nation if our records remain rotting away in hidden basements.
The second challenge is electronic records. We are here to preserve all public records whether they are e-mail, films, audio-tapes or other media that will be created in future. In so doing there is a learning curve we have to go through. This challenging vision can only be fulfilled if we work in close collaboration with all stakeholders. The step we are now taking with the setting of the web-site aims to inform but also build bridges with our audience. I invite you to make best use of this site through interactive communication. its success will depend on your feedback, and our timely reaction to your views. Let us take this challenge and use information technology to make our lives better.
The second challenge is electronic records. We are here to preserve all public records whether they are e-mail, films, audio-tapes or other media that will be created in future. In so doing there is a learning curve we have to go through. This challenging vision can only be fulfilled if we work in close collaboration with all stakeholders. The step we are now taking with the setting of the web-site aims to inform but also build bridges with our audience. I invite you to make best use of this site through interactive communication. its success will depend on your feedback, and our timely reaction to your views. Let us take this challenge and use information technology to make our lives better.
Dr. Charles J Farrugia