Archival Appraisal Theory

Archival Appraisal Theory is the process used by archivists to determine which records or collections are worth preserving for the long term. It involves evaluating materials based on their historical significance, legal requirements, organizational value, and potential future research use. The goal is to identify records that have lasting importance, ensuring resources are focused on preserving meaningful and representative items, while unnecessary or temporary records are deaccessioned. This careful selection helps maintain an efficient and valuable archive that reflects important aspects of history, culture, or an organization’s activities.