Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 39. (1986)
Archive Buildings and the Conservation of Archival Material. An Expert Meeting, held in Vienna, Austria October 30 - November 1, 1985 - STEWART, William J.: Summary of Discussions
Summary of Discussions 281 The difficulties you mentioned about remote locations certainly applies to the Bonn record center. From now on, we will have researchers at both Coblenz and Bonn. It is not a matter of policy, it just happened. The difference between archive buildings and record centers might be a topic for a future conference, including construction, storage, and maintenance requirements for each, as well as provision for user services. Duchein: Perhaps we should ask Mr Newton, the representative of the International Records Management Council, to talk about the differences. N e w t o n: I am sure I speak on behalf of the Council in saying that a seminar on the construction of record centers would interest us greatly and we would be pleased to cooperate in such an endeavor. It has always seemed strange to me that a great deal of effort and thought was devoted to archive buildings while standards for record centers were always very much lower. It seems odd that it should be that way because if you do not protect the current record you are not going to have any records at the end of the process. The differences between archives and record centers are becoming less distinct. The two systems are coming together as the requirements for both become similar and standardized. Duchein: If the example is relevant, I should say a few words about Fontainebleau, which was originally planned as a record center with a very low standard. At first, it was merely a prefabricated structure, now the extension being erected is not only like a regular archive, it will be one of the most sophisticated in France, entirely computerized. Thus in France the difference, architecturally at least, between archive and record center is becoming less evident. I should like to ask Mr Stewart how it is in the United States, because after all it was the United States which initiated the record center policy. Stewart: Since the major St Louis fire of 1973 there has been a more rigorous application of regulations, both for the construction of archives and their maintenance. Primarily the records that go into a federal record center have a limited life. They are held only for whatever legal time requirements adhere to them, then destroyed. I might note that a small amount of archival material will be found in federal record centers with a small archival staff to provide reference service. These centers are of the warehouse type with current regulations calling for single level construction only. Multi level construction is prohibited on the grounds that a multi level building cannot maintain its structural integrity in an uncontrolled fire. Below grade construction is to be avoided also, because the byproducts of fire can prevent access by firefighters. Non combustible construction is deemed essential. This means either concrete block and brick fagade or reinforced concrete. Yu-Cheng: The good cooperation between archivists and architects is the first requisite in constructing an archive. We have spoken a great deal about
