Conference Agenda

In 2021, the UAE Government enacted a new law, expanding the mandate of the National Archives to also incorporate the role of the National Library. The new mandate sparked a complete rethink of what a national documentary heritage institution could be for a modern, multicultural nation exploring every opportunity of the digital age.

Starting Again: Building a new ‘Digital First’ National Library and Archives

In 2021, the UAE Government enacted a new law, expanding the mandate of the National Archives to also incorporate the role of the National Library. The implementation of this law could have followed a narrow, traditional route with a simple addition of a new, siloed Library within the organisation; this path however was not chosen. The new mandate sparked a complete rethink of what a national documentary heritage institution could be, for a modern, multicultural nation exploring every opportunity of the digital age.

With the encouragement and support of the senior leadership, the National Library and Archives of the UAE commenced the process of reinventing the institution; starting with a blank page and imagining how a centre for memory, learning and knowledge should serve all parts of society, and project a nation’s multi-faceted identity to the rest of the world.

The process of re-invention began with the core concept of the NLA as a ‘Gathering Place’, providing a space to learn, share and create. It places the NLA at the centre of a knowledge eco-system, providing analogue and digital experiences for a multicultural population living in a vibrant society that is forward-looking, but with an increasing curiosity to know its past. Notably, the inclusion of the national library functions with the Archives provided the opportunity to harmonise the nation’s treatment of primary and secondary sources into a single continuum of documentary heritage, taking a broad view of preservation, access and public engagement, based on an ambitious and optimistic view of technological trends, including AI.

This presentation shall outline the continuing journey that this approach is taking, with the outcomes it has had for NLA’s strategies covering every facet of its collection, services, technology and our workforce.

At some point in the lifecycle of a digital record archivists will most likely interact with cloud storage. This paper seeks to broaden our understanding of what is happening to records in the cloud. What questions do archivists need to ask to ensure the cloud platform is adhering to digital preservation best practices? This paper will explore interviews and use cases to determine how archivists are currently balancing cloud platform functionality and digital preservation best practices.

At some point in the lifecycle of a digital archival record, whether it be during appraisal, acquisition or transfer, an archivist or information professional will most likely interact with cloud storage as either a working copy, mezzanine copy, or preservation copy. This paper seeks to broaden our understanding of what is happening to records in the cloud. What questions do archivists need to ask to ensure a cloud platform is ‘preserving’ records that follows archival digital preservation practices? How do archivists balance cloud platform functionality and industry ‘best practice’ for digital preservation?

In this paper, we propose that the future of archival practice must include new approaches to assessing storage technologies, in particular cloud platforms, to learn how born digital and digitized archival records are actually being preserved. It will explore the results of an environmental scan on the balance between industry recommended best practices for preservation storage vs. segmentation (or chunking) in cloud platforms. This paper will also provide two use cases for navigating ‘best practice’ when exploring cloud storage technologies for preservation masters of audio-visual records.

This paper highlights the vital role of the Sarawak Library in preserving cultural and historical records while ensuring future access. Through the AKRAB project, it underscores the need to document communities' memories and traditions, balancing traditional and digital records. By entering technologies and empowering communities, archives shape a future that values diversity preserves collective memories and ensures marginalized voices and cultural legacies remain accessible and relevant.

In an increasingly globalized and interconnected social and technological landscape, archives play a crucial role in the preservation of cultural heritage, the safeguarding of collective memory, and the facilitation of access to historical records. This paper aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Target 11.4, which focuses on the protection of cultural and natural heritage. It presents an analysis of the AKRAB project (Archival Knowledge and Records for Accessibility and Browsing), which addresses the complexities of documenting and preserving the cultural and historical identities of communities facing relocation. The AKRAB initiative systematically captures the histories of affected villages and their inhabitants, ensuring the safeguarding of both tangible and intangible heritage through comprehensive restoration, precise description, and thorough digitization of historical materials owned by these communities. In addition, the project involves the archival records transferred from government agencies, which are preserved within the Archival Records Management System (ARMS). By leveraging advanced technological solutions and adopting participatory archiving practices, the AKRAB program guarantees that the memories, traditions, and histories of these displaced communities are meticulously preserved and made accessible. It tackles challenges such as managing privacy concerns while enhancing access, engaging community members in participatory archiving, and implementing innovative methodologies. This paper positions the AKRAB initiative as a paradigm for inclusive and sustainable archival practices, emphasizing its significant role in safeguarding cultural legacies. It underscores the initiative’s potential to shape a future where diverse voices are preserved, valued, and made accessible, thereby contributing to the broader global discourse on memory management and identity preservation in transitional contexts.

Supporting early career professionals in archives and records management is essential for driving progress in the field. Join the New Professionals 2021–2022 cohort as they introduce the newly established Early Career Professionals Provisional Section and its Outreach Pilot Project. Discover the development and significance of these initiatives, explore opportunities to contribute as volunteers, and learn how to join the new section. We welcome your ideas, feedback, and comments.

The 2022 New Professionals Programme Cohort of the International Council on Archives (ICA) initiated in 2024 a Pilot Outreach Project to address the lack of awareness among students and early career professionals about ICA's resources, support and opportunities, an issue identified in the 2022 New Professionals Survey.

This project aims to expand ICA's professional network and strengthen its presence and collaboration by encouraging new and early career professionals to engage with the organization and promoting diversity and inclusion. As early-career archivists and records managers enter the profession, it is essential to provide the support, knowledge, and tools needed to face new realities and experiences.

This initiative involves recruiting and training regional outreach volunteers to conduct talks in different universities and institutions globally, introducing ICA’s missions, structure, benefits and resources.The first phase has focused on planning activities and the development of materials, including presentations and posters. A few pilot presentations have been conducted to test the initiative's approach and refine its strategies.

In 2024, the project was integrated into the Early Career Professionals Provisional Section as its first planned initiative. This new professional section was born from different efforts by Nicola Laurent, the New Professional Programme Coordinator and the ICA’s New Professionals Programme cohort 2021-2022. The Early Career Professionals Provisional Section aims to be a support system for professionals new to the field, who are interested in being part of a worldwide network of information professionals, to nurture their experience and boost their careers. The Provisional Section will exist in conjunction with the New Professionals Programme offering a comprehensive approach to support and fostering collaboration among early-career professionals globally.

This session will explore the development, implementation and importance of the Outreach Projects and the Early Career Professionals Provisional Section. Additionally, it will highlight opportunities for professionals to contribute to the project as volunteers and/or join the new professional section. Attendees will be invited to share ideas, provide feedback and discuss how the project can increase its impact.