Archives conservation and preservation : Case study - Kenya National Archives

Abstract

The purpose of the study aims at assessing the means of preserving and conserving Archival records at Kenya national archives in order to develop a proper preservation and conservation program and establish circumstances under which preservation and conservation can be handled. The Objectives of the study were to; identify the different types of archival materials at Kenya national archives, examine the causes of archives deterioration at Kenya National Archives, assess the challenge’s faced during conservation and preservation of records at Kenya National Archives and suggest possible solutions to challenge’s faced in managing archives at Kenya National Archives. Questionnaire, Interview and Observation methods were used in data collection. The findings also show that Kenya National Archives manages all the relevant types of archives, in both paper based and electronic forms of archival management which are managed, conserved and preserved in different ways and in different department to endure a long term value and make sure they are available when needed. However, in conservation and preservation of archives the organization is facing a problem of understaffing since there Kenya National Archives been the biggest Archives in Kenya it has a lot of materials to conserve and preserve and this has led to the need of more employees which are not available which has led to delay in preserving and conserving of the archives. The research also revealed that the organization is facing a challenge in materials and equipment which aids in preservation and conservation of archives. This was because some of the machines are faulty and they need skilled people to repair them and the people with these skills are not available, this has led to low level of conservation and preservation. The recommendations were; Digitization of archives, Environmental control, Offering scholarship to the staffs, Adaption of security measures.