The Relevance of Archival Management to Teaching, Research and Administration in Academic Libraries
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Date
2025-10-26
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Publisher
International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR)
Abstract
Academic libraries serve as knowledge reservoirs that support teaching, research, and administrative
functions in higher education. Archival management, a core component of academic librarianship, ensures
the preservation, organization, and accessibility of institutional records, manuscripts, and historical
documents. This paper explores the relevance of archival management in enhancing academic operations
across teaching, research, and administration. Employing a quantitative research design, a structured
questionnaire was administered to 120 library professionals across Tanzanian universities. The study
found that effective archival systems facilitate curriculum development by providing access to historical
syllabi, examination papers, and instructional materials, thus aiding faculty in designing relevant and
informed course content. Moreover, archives support scholarly research by offering access to rare and
unpublished primary data such as institutional correspondences, policy drafts, and faculty publications,
which serve as critical resources for academic inquiry. Administratively, archival resources preserve
institutional memory, enabling evidence-based decision-making, strategic planning, accreditation, and
historical referencing in governance. Despite its immense value, archival management in Tanzanian
academic libraries faces several challenges including inadequate funding, poor ICT infrastructure, lack of
institutional policies, and a shortage of trained archival personnel. These limitations undermine the ability
of libraries to digitize, catalog, and provide seamless access to archival materials. Findings suggest a
strong correlation between efficient archival practices and improved academic outcomes. Therefore, the
study recommends targeted capacity-building programs for librarians, increased investment in digital
archival technologies, and development of national and institutional archival policies. The paper
underscores the imperative of repositioning archival management as a strategic and integral function
within academic libraries to promote excellence and sustainability in higher education.
Description
Keywords
Archival management, academic libraries, administration, institutional memory