ARHIVSKI VJESNIK 42. (ZAGREB, 1999.)

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J. van den Broek, Current developments in the archival network in the Netherlands, Arh. vjesn., god. 42(1999), str. 103-112 chives. The custody of the holdings will be in the hands of a managing director, who will combine the duties and competences of a state and a municipal archivist. I have already mentioned the reasons why co-operation with regional partners is an attractive option for the State Archival Service. Without going in too much detail I want to consider some other arguments in favour of this co-operation. * Over the last decades the field of the archivist has extended in such a way that several specialisms have emerged. In order to keep pace with the developments an archival institution needs a larger and more differentiated staff than, say, 25 years ago. The technical demands that must be met in merely preserving the records, digital data-processing and communication require huge investments and a cost-intensive maintenance. Under these circumstances it is impossible to survive without extension of scale, and, consequently, broadening of the basis. * With a view to the character of its holdings and its role in society a state archive in a province had first of all a regional function, without being a part of the provincial administrative structure. A merger with a municipal archival institution, which is firmly embedded in the local administration and cultural environment will help to make a better use of local networks, offers better conditions for flexibly and adequately responding to the demands and opportunities in the region, which are necessarily out of sight of a central management in the Hague. * In order to establish and to appreciate the value of pieces of the regional cultural heritage a kind of knowledge is required that is hardly found outside the region itself. Preservation and use will therefore benefit from a management which is sensitive to regional issues. * The state archives service's focus has been directed first of all on the preservation of records, whereas municipal archives frequently have a long tradition in collecting all kinds of documentation. Co-operation will bring about complete heritage centres where various kinds of sources for the study of history are being kept and studied. * A strong regional archival institution can develop into a regional centre of professional expertise, not only in the field of history, but also with respect to the preservation of archives, records and information management, access and communication methods. It may offer professional coaching to staff members of the surrounding municipalities and other workers in the field. In addition to all these positive expectations there are of course also some question marks to be set. I want to mention two issues I would like to consider briefly. * The scheme of regional co-operation will inevitably bring about the end of the State Archival Service that we have known until now; * The position of the provincial government is unclear. 110