What are the archives
of science?
What are the archives of science?
'Documenting a life's work': the records of individuals
'Safeguarding the record': the records of scientific institutions
Further Information
What are the archives of science?
The archives of science are any records that document not only
the results of scientific endeavour but also the processes of
scientific work. They may, and do, vary with individuals, with
disciplines and through time. They include, in addition to correspondence
of all kinds, professional or technical documents such as laboratory
notebooks, experimental drawings and calculations, lecture notes,
diaries, travel journals, reports and publications, administrative
files, photographs and other non-manuscript materials.
The records of individual scientists will reflect the important
roles they play in aspects of public life outside their professional
work, whether as members of official committees, councils or advisory
bodies, or through their influence as writers and thinkers. Science
does not exist in a social vacuum. Cultural, economic, political
or religious developments - all of great interest to historians -
are likely to find expression in the records of scientific activity.
Personal records are of vital importance if we are to understand
something of the human face of science. Too often it is assumed
that the life of a scientist can be neatly divided into scientific
and human halves. The archives of science should include material
that enables researchers to move beyond this artificial dichotomy
towards a fuller and richer understanding of science's role in
our community.
Likewise, the archives of scientific institutions and industries
provide not just an administrative record; they provide information
about the personalities involved, about breakthroughs and dead-ends,
and political battles won or lost. They offer many valuable insights
into the context and practice of science in Australia.
'Documenting a life's work': the records of individuals
ASAP has considerable experience in working with scientists and
their families to ensure that their personal records are preserved.
Documenting a life's work is a difficult and sensitive task, but
one that brings great rewards and fulfilment to all involved,
as well as providing an important resource for researchers.
ASAP provides advice on storage, arrangement, and suitable repositories.
Wherever possible, ASAP seeks to process collections before
transferring them to the repository; however, this is only possible
if sufficient funds are available. These funds are sometimes provided
by the donors of the records themselves (substantial tax incentives
are available to the donors of archives). Alternatively, ASAP
will seek funding from other sources, such as trusts or foundations.
Processing of a collection begins with an on-site survey. Donors
should resist the temptation to do a bit of 'tidying up', as the
physical arrangement of papers can provide important clues for
the archivist piecing together the documentary record. Once the
initial survey has been completed, the collection will usually
be transferred to an ASAP office for detailed listing and indexing.
The result of this painstaking work is a published Guide to the
collection, made available to researchers and libraries. The final
stage in the process is the lodging of the collection and Guide
with the chosen repository -- an important addition to Australia's
scientific heritage.
'Safeguarding the record': the records of scientific instituitions
Australia's scientific heritage is to be found not just in universities
or in the papers of retired scientists. ASAP works with scientific
institutions and industries to ensure that their valuable records
are preserved.
To an active organisation, archival collections may seem to be
more of a burden than a resource. However, ASAP has developed
a highly-efficient processing service that rapidly improves control
over, and access to, such collections. For further details see
ASAP's Archival and Records Services.
Further Information
Further information can be obtained by contacting ASAP's Head
Office in Melbourne, or the Canberra Office. Details can be found in ASAP's Staff Directory.
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