By: Lamin B. Darboe
Principal Records Officer (PRO) who double as the Head of the National Archives Division under the National Records Services (NRS) enlightened that his Office is mandated with the responsibility of managing the National Archives and stated the key function of his institution.
Mr.Wassabo Darboewas speaking in an exclusive interview with the Gambia Daily in his office in Banjul.
Mr.Darboe, further explained that his office is responsible for accessioning record materials to the National Archives, organization and managing the repositories, arrangement and description of Archives and Readers.
According to Mr.Darboe, the arrangement and description of the Archives describe how the National Archives arranges and illustrate records in its custody and in describing the records, the “National Archives aims to provide information about their content and context, thus documenting the holdings and providing information for users.” Mr. Darboe explained.
On accessioning of records function, he said this refers to the transfer of records to the custody of the National Archives from their arrival to the final placement in the repository, thus the aim is to ensure that records reach the National Archives and are processed in a way that promotes the safe keeping of the records.
“The organization and management of repositories functionmean that the National Archives are accountable for its holdings and must be able to show that it has proper procedures in place for their storage and handling. The storage area or repository must be organized and managed to ensure the safe keeping and good order of archives in the custody of the National Archives,” Mr. Darboe noted.
He catalogue the following are some of the key services expected from the National Archives staff handling the Search room: Managing the Search room, visitors Book/Attendance Register, search Room Rules, readers Applications and Tickets, ordering and producing documents, return of documents and completing the production Register.
He concluded by explaining that the name of the collections at the National Archives are as follows: records of Colonial administration including provincial and Commissioners records 1814 – 1969, Annual Reports and Sessional papers 1833 onwards, Government publications and gazettes 1835 onwards, Ministries and Departmental correspondence files 1923 onwards, Newspapers, Photos and Monographs, 1936 on words, Theses and private collection 1963 onwards, Slave Trade archives and Maps and plans.
