The Relevance of Archival Management to Teaching, Research and Administration in Academic Libraries

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librarianship, ensures the preservation, organization, and accessibility of institutional records, manuscripts, and historical documents.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 Moreover, archives support scholarly research by offering access to rare and unpublished primary data such as institutional correspondences, policy drafts, and faculty publications, which serve as critical resources for academic inquiry.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.