THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC ARCHIVES IN CONSTRUCTION OF SOCIETY´S MEMORIES

Abstract

This paper highlights the importance of archival institutions as a source of research and preservation of the documentary heritage in the municipal and federal government domains. The methodology for this study made use of simple random samples, with the application of questionnaires containing open questions. A literature review was also undertaken and included research in brazilian scientific journals in the area of Archiving, Librarianship and Information Science, available at the Capes Portal (Portal de Periódicos da CAPES) and at the SEER/IBICT. Books and websites were also used during the review. After collecting the data, they were categorized to simplify analysis and possible discussions on the subject. Through the results presented, it was concluded that the need for organizing public archives and its inherent value, should be of fundamental importance for the life of institutions and people which use them to make researches that build the historical memory, identity and culture of society and its citizens.