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A hospital archives ... what's it all about?
Rachelle Blais1, Maryanne Lamont
1Maine Medical Center Library, 22 Bramhall Street, Portland, ME 04102, USA. blaisr@mmc.org
Medical Reference Services Quarterly
|May 7, 2002
Summary
Establishing a hospital archives involves understanding general archival principles and specific hospital needs. This guide outlines initial steps for developing a hospital archives, using Maine Medical Center Archives as a case study.
Area of Science:
- Archival Science
- Medical History
- Healthcare Administration
Background:
- Hospital archives are crucial for preserving institutional memory and historical research.
- Developing a dedicated archive requires careful planning and resource allocation.
- Understanding the unique nature of hospital records is essential for effective archival management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the scope and importance of hospital archives.
- To outline the fundamental steps in establishing a hospital archives.
- To provide a practical example of archive development.
Main Methods:
- Review of general archival principles.
- Analysis of specific requirements for hospital archives.
- Case study methodology using Maine Medical Center Archives.
Main Results:
- A clear distinction between general and hospital archives is established.
- Key initial considerations for archive development are identified.
- Practical insights are derived from the Maine Medical Center Archives example.
Conclusions:
- Establishing a hospital archives is a feasible and beneficial undertaking.
- A systematic approach, informed by best practices and case studies, facilitates successful archive creation.
- Hospital archives contribute significantly to institutional knowledge and historical understanding.