National Archives of Guyana
 | |
| Government Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1958 |
| Jurisdiction | Guyana |
| Headquarters | D'Urban Part, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown |
| Minister responsible |
|
| Parent department | Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport |
The National Archives of Guyana (also known as the Walter Rodney Archives) is the legal depository for official records and local newspaper publications in Guyana. Established in 1958, the National Archives are situated in D'Urban Park on Homestretch Avenue in Central Georgetown. In 1972 it was made a Department of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in the Government of Guyana.[1][2][3]
Service and Facilities
The standard and customer service at the archive is extremely poor. Staff lack basic knowledge regarding the handling of documents and access for public to documents are refused based on data protection, yet all held documents are public documents specifically for public access, hence the title National Archive . The radio blasts in the background of the main reading room, not conducive to research and general study. No computers work and staff seem uninterested to help. The supervisor played candy crush on her cell phone, while researchers required assistance, while another staff intentionally sat in front of the researcher giving intimidating rude glaring looks and ignoring questions asked by the researcher. In fact they seem to hope that their attitude will discourage researchers from visiting the centre. This seems to be a general theme amongst Guyanese government offices and can only be changed by a cultural change to government services and a pride in customer services in general. The National Walter Rodney Archive is in desperate need for professionally qualified and trained staff. No one government can change this only a concerted effort amongst the management of the archive centre to provide a quality service. The documents are regarded by all Guyanese citizens as a national treasure worthy of UNESCO protected status, but this has not been forthcoming and is in danger of being lost to future generations due to current managements disinterest and lack of care and quality. This is a disgrace to the country.
History
The National Archives of Guyana were founded in 1958. They were originally located in a building on Main Street.[4]
In 1982, the Government of Guyana passed the National Archives of Guyana Act, which made the National Archives a Department of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the Archivist an Officer-in-Charge with duty to report to the Ministry.[2]
In the year 2000, the National Archives of Guyana acquired and installed a microfiche unit.[2]
In 2008, the National Archives were relocated to Homestretch Avenue. At this time they were renamed the Walter Rodney Archives in memory of the Guyanese historian and political activist, Dr. Walter Rodney.[3][4]
Holdings
The National Archives of Guyana is a repository of official state records and local publications, including newspaper publications, from Guyana. In the mid-1980s, the National Archives recorded holdings that measured in at 510,000 linear feet.[1] The holdings date back to the 18th Century - the Dutch colonial period in Guyanese history.[5]
References
- 1 2 Stephenson, Yvonne V. (1993). "Guyana". In Robert Wedgeworth. World Encyclopedia of Libraries and Information Services. ALA Editions. pp. 332–333. ISBN 9780838906095.
- 1 2 3 Department of Culture. "The National Archives: Conserving the Nation's Heritage". Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- 1 2 GINA (3 February 2012). "It's a storehouse of Guyanese treasures". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- 1 2 Stabroek Staff (12 October 2008). "Naming the Archives". Stabroek News. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ↑ Knews (19 April 2010). "National Archives looking to expand with local and overseas support". Kaieteur News. Retrieved 27 August 2012.