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 will map the demands and possibilities for a new archival system in our country and must come forward with proposals. The future role of the provinces will without any doubt be one of the central issues in the discussions that lie before us. The Groningen example These organisational pros and cons lay beyond the horizon of the average researcher. In Groningen there is still no formal fusion, but our public service is fully integrated. This is what matters to the public and where the most important objectives have already been reached. Because in our province there are no other old and large towns, we can say that, if anywhere, then at least in Groningen there is a possibility for the bilateral co-operation between state and municipal archives to result in a comprehensive regional archival service. At this moment, the process is in a crucial stage. One thing is already clear, the fusion will not yield any money, at least not in the short term. On the other hand, if we manage to find the means to bridge the financial gaps of the first years, the perspective of a really new an interesting institution will become reality. Although it will go to my heart, seeing the municipal archive which I led for more than 20 years being absorbed in a much bigger organisation, I am very happy with the forthcoming merger. The municipal archives with its staff of 13 people is to small to meet the challenges of the 21 sl century. In the new institution we can go on together with our colleagues of the state archive, without loosing our regional face and our place in the cultural environment. Whether this co-operation will secure a fruitful and lasting balance between local and supra-regional interests only time can show. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ARCHIVAL NETWORK IN THE In the Netherlands a process is under way that will change the archival network thoroughly and strengthen the regional element in archives management. The state archives in the provinces will combine with the municipal archives of the provincial capitals to form new so called Regional Historical Centres. These new archival agencies, which will operate independently of the State Archival Service in The Hague, are expected to be better equipped than the existing ones to serve the public in a client-oriented and cost-effective way and to meet the technical demands of the information society. The paper gives an brief general survey of the situation and pays special attention to that in the province of Groningen, where state and municipal archives share a new accomodation and where a successful attempt has been made to integrate the public services of both institutions even before the process towards an official fusion started. Summary NETHERLANDS 112
