ARHIVSKI VJESNIK 19-20. (ZAGREB, 1976-1977.)

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Summary THE IMPORTANCE OF ESTABLISHING INTERMEDIATE DEPOSITORIES In the introduction the manysided value of current records is briefly presented with a special stess to the curren records of the republic offices and instituions. Further on, the author emphasizes how important it is that the current records be safely preserved, properly classified and ready for use with their owners; he points out the significance they have for administra-tion and normal functionning of all administrativ offices and for the national science and culture as well. A significant increase of the amount of current records in the last 150 years has caused a lack of storage space with their owners and with Archives as well. Through a more rational use of storage space and through microfilming of material it tried to solve the problem of space. Anyway, it turned out that this was not the right solution, not even with added storage space, so weeding and desctruction of material, which is of no for further preservation, proved to be a more effective means; it has to be done at intervals and in right time. Even when material of no value is disposed in time, production of records increases so much that the archive owners and Archives as well can not recive and preserve them. Such conditions and circumstances were the reason, why the intermediate depositories for certain branches or for groups of certain related archive owners were started all over the world (USSR, USA, GDR, France), especially after the second World War. I'n such intermediate depositories current records are stored temporarily according to needs, or after their time limit has expired., In continuation, the author presents the way of organizing intermediate depositories, their functionning and maintenance, their relation to the archive owners, relationship between an intermediate depository and its competent Archives, processing of material in an intermediate depository up to its transfer to the Archives. The author emphasizes the fact that the custody and processing of material in such intermediate depositoried can be commited to experienced professionals, what is, on the contrary, not often possible with the owners of current records kept in an office. Further on, he stites that a lack of storage space with owners of current records, overfilling of that space with material of ephemeral value, unprofessional and incorrect handling of material, insufficient safety ind nedligence in general, endanger this material and threaten with an irreparable loss for interests of community and citizens, and for scientific research and national culture as well. In actual circumstances and possibilities such a situation with current files on the territory of SR Croatia could be changed for the better by establishing intermediate depositories for particular sectors or for particular groups of current records owners. Only in such a way damages that endanger current records could be prevented and avoided, damages that ceritanly will take place if actual situation remains unchaned and in the records continue to be traeted as they have beeng until now. Further on, the author cites general data of quantities of records that are due for archivage and gives reasons why it is more profitable for record owners to maintain joint intermediate depositories as provisory, temporary 300