Published: March 14, 2016 by Anna Maloney

“Archives constitute the memory of nations and of societies, shape their identity, and are a cornerstone of the information society”

The International Council on Archives is a neutral, multinational, non-government organization “dedicated to the effective management of records and the preservation, care and use of the world’s archival heritage through its representation of records and archive professionals across the globe.” San Jose State University and several faculty are members of ICA, but ICA’s website hosts great resources that benefit any archives or records management student or professional.  

Multilingual Archival Terminology Database - In conjunction with InterPARES Trust, ICA’s Section for Archival Education and Training developed this database in 2010 to “support archivists, records managers, and information managers in the use of records-related terms, from the traditional ones to those related to the preservation of authentic records in digital systems.” Terminology is currently available in 24 languages, ranging from Arabic to Swedish, and words can be compared in all languages using the basic search box on the homepage. If you are interested in language, check out the various definitions and translations of the word record.

List of Toolkits, Guides, Manuals and Guidelines – Although most of these resources are from 2011 and 2012, there is still a wealth of information available, such as the Guidelines for Organising Conferences.

Standards  - Most of the standards in this list pertain to archival description, but can be a valuable tool in developing an international perspective on the subject. 

Articles, Papers, Reports and Proceedings - Nearly 40 articles and draft on a wide range of subjects related to archiving and records management, including Metadata and the Management of Current Records in Digital Form and The Darwin Shipping Container Trial, 2002.