Archival fonds refers to a collection of records and documents that have been produced, accumulated, and maintained by an individual, organization, or institution during the course of their activities. It is a fundamental unit of archival description and represents the entire body of records created and received by a creator in their activities, regardless of format or medium.
An archival fonds typically consists of various series, sub-series, files, and items that are organized in a hierarchical and systematic manner according to their provenance and original order. It represents a distinct entity, such as a person or an organization, and reflects the context in which the records were created, used, and maintained.
Archival fonds are unique and irreplaceable, serving as essential sources for historical research, administrative accountability, legal evidence, cultural heritage, and memory preservation. They may encompass a wide range of records, including correspondence, reports, photographs, audiovisual materials, maps, plans, and digital files.
Archival institutions, such as archives, libraries, and museums, are responsible for acquiring, arranging, describing, preserving, and providing access to archival fonds for present and future generations. They employ various professional standards and methodologies, such as appraisal, arrangement, and description, to ensure that archival fonds are organized, accessible, and maintained in a way that respects their original organization, integrity, and value.
The concept of archival fonds is essential in the field of archival science and promotes a contextual understanding of records and their value, as it emphasizes the relationship between records and their creators, activities, and functions.
