Journal of the International Council on Archives

Journal of the International Council on Archives
Title	Journal of the International Council on Archives
Discipline	Archival science
Language	English
Publisher	International Council on Archives
Country	France

Journal of the International Council on Archives is a leading international publication in the field of archival science, published by the International Council on Archives (ICA), which was established in 1948 with the support of UNESCO. The journal is a key platform for archivists and information professionals from around the world, including Australia, Canada, and United Kingdom, to share their research and experiences. It has been an important outlet for scholars and practitioners from institutions such as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in the United States, the British Library, and the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

History and background

The Journal of the International Council on Archives has a long history, dating back to the early days of the ICA, which was founded by Charles Samaran and other prominent archivists from Europe and North America. The journal has undergone several transformations over the years, with changes in its title, format, and frequency of publication, reflecting the evolving needs of the archival community, including the Society of American Archivists and the Archives and Records Association. The journal has been influenced by key events and developments in the field, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, which have shaped the work of archivists and records managers at institutions like the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations.

Scope and publication details

The Journal of the International Council on Archives covers a wide range of topics related to archival science, including records management, digital preservation, and cultural heritage preservation, with contributions from experts from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The journal is published in English, with occasional articles in French and other languages, and is available in print and online formats, making it accessible to readers at institutions like the Library of Congress and the National Library of Australia. The journal's scope is international in nature, with a focus on the work of archivists and information professionals from around the world, including those from China, India, and Brazil, who are working on projects like the Google Books digitization initiative and the European Union's Digital Agenda for Europe.

Editorial board and peer review

The Journal of the International Council on Archives has a distinguished editorial board, comprising leading archivists and information professionals from institutions like the National Archives of the United Kingdom, the Archives Nationales de France, and the Australian National University. The journal operates a rigorous peer-review process, with articles reviewed by experts from universities and research institutions around the world, including the University of Oxford, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Toronto. This process ensures the high quality and relevance of the articles published in the journal, which are often cited by scholars and practitioners from organizations like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Abstracting and indexing

The Journal of the International Council on Archives is abstracted and indexed in several major databases, including Scopus, EBSCO, and ProQuest, making it easily accessible to researchers and practitioners from institutions like the Harvard University Library and the University of Cambridge. The journal is also indexed in specialized databases like the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences and the Library and Information Science Abstracts, which are used by scholars and practitioners from organizations like the American Library Association and the Society of Archivists.

Notable articles and contributions

The Journal of the International Council on Archives has published many notable articles and contributions over the years, including works by leading archivists and information professionals like Terry Cook, Verne Harris, and Eric Ketelaar, who have written about topics like postcolonial archival studies and digital curation. The journal has also featured articles on key projects and initiatives, such as the International Tracing Service and the Shoah Foundation, which have been undertaken by institutions like the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Imperial War Museum. These articles have helped to shape the field of archival science and have been widely cited by scholars and practitioners from organizations like the National Archives of Japan and the Archives of the European Union.

Relationship to the International Council on Archives

The Journal of the International Council on Archives is the official publication of the International Council on Archives (ICA), which is a global organization that represents the interests of archivists and records managers from around the world, including those from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The journal plays a key role in promoting the work of the ICA, which includes initiatives like the Universal Declaration on Archives and the Principles of Access to Archives, which have been endorsed by organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Council of Europe. The journal also provides a platform for the ICA to communicate with its members and the wider archival community, including institutions like the National Archives of Australia and the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Category:Archival science journals