The effect of converted buildings on the management of records and archives in the Eastern Cape Provincial Archives of South Africa

Abstract

Archival buildings play a pivotal role in the management of records and archives. This paper highlights the findings of a case study that investigated the effect of converted buildings on the management of records and archives in the Eastern Cape Provincial Archives in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa. The study population consisted of all archives and records personnel in the Eastern Cape Provincial Archives. The sample comprised 13 purposively selected participants. The participants had the requisite knowledge and experience pertaining to the management of records and archives in their respective records and archives in the provincial archives offices. These included the director, assistant directors, archivists, and assistant archivists. Data were collected using interviews, observations, and document analysis. Collected data were analysed using emerging themes based on the objectives of the study. The findings of the study revealed that all archival offices and repositories of the Eastern Cape Provincial Archives are housed in converted buildings. There was a clear lack of adequate and suitable office and working space, and repositories for effective management of records and archives. This has serious implications for adequate processing, storage, access to, and preservation of, records and archival materials. It was recommended that more resources should be allocated for the management of records and archives by revamping the existing facilities while resources are provided for planning and building of requisite infrastructure for records and archives management for the Eastern Cape province.