Historian Dr Melissa Ifill says important archival materials are no longer being presented to the National Archives due to a lack of confidence in the institution’s ability to preserve records, and that a lack of funding and adequate staffing has affected the res-toration work of the archives.
In a passionate lecture on Friday in observance of Archives Week, Ifill said the relevant authorities seem to lack an understanding of how critical the preservation of records are, particularly its impact on future generations. She said the state of records at some public institutions in the country point to critical information being dumped in bins and crammed together in rooms among other unfortunate situations. According to her, certain records of significance to Guyana are now being protected overseas in countries such as the US and the UK, beyond the reach of the average Guyanese researcher.
Prior to her lecture, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony disclosed on Wednesday that plans are underway to procure copies of archival materials currently in the possession of overseas entities, including those in the British and Dutch Archives. At the time, he was addressing a National Archives workshop. He said too that a comprehensive collection is lacking, adding that the institution will move forward when there is a broader collection of records.
Ifill struck a chord within the small audience gathered and as she spoke a few persons were heard agreeing with her. The Minister of Culture and the Director of Culture, Dr James Rose both were absent from the lecture owing to other engagements.
Ifill noted that small developing countries like Guyana will likely face challenges of adequately staffing and funding the national archives, but she emphasized that archives are important to any country and should be properly maintained. She recalled a stint at the National Archives, saying her days at the institution made her cognizant of the critical need for official records to be documented and preserved. She said also that the staff at the archives here is to be commended for pushing ahead with the work despite the lack of resources.
But even with the best efforts, Ifill said, the National Archives must address the issue of electronic record keeping as a modern approach to preserving information. She observed that technology should be explored towards digitalizing the national records, noting that the institution here could start with simple scanning of records before moving onto to CD ROMs and an online database.
She said too that the institution needs to do more to inform the public of its work and suggested that regular exhibitions be held, in addition to lectures, among other things. Ifill noted that activities should not only be held during Archives Week which ended yesterday. She also underscored the value of primary sources of materials currently stored at the National Archives and cited the need for information such as official government records to be documented and preserved.
Further, she said the institution should initiate ways to source its own funds and recalled a visit she made to the Bahamas, where the archives is benefiting from little fundraising activities. Ifill noted that the local archives can potentially source funds for its operations from tourists and recalled that in the Bahamas persons were offered lockers at the archives to store personal items for a fee. She said also items such as books and pens were sold to visitors. Additionally, she mentioned photocopying as a way of generating funds.
Anthony had also touched on the issue of the computerization of the archives in his address, noting that the idea of creating an audio visual archives is being considered, as well as the need to develop photographic records. According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the minister said too that a Visual Memory of Guyana project is being discussed and he stated that the records will be made available online for persons here and overseas.
The minister also spoke of plans to enhance the archives, saying that improvements include modern shelves and ongoing work to supplement the current records. He pointed to the need for more research and observed that a resident historian should be on staff at the archives. Additionally, Anthony said his ministry is seeking to collaborate with various entities to boost the records of the archives.
