The Rooms Corporation�s Provincial Archives Division, formally known as The Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador, will mark its golden anniversary on the 6^th of July, celebrating its ongoing mission to acquire, preserve and make available the documentary heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador.

From its humble beginnings as a small manuscript collection in 1959, to its current status as the largest archives in the Province and an integral part of the information management community within the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Archives remains committed to collecting and preserving the archival records of the Province for generations to come. The Archives is mandated to identify, acquire and preserve the archival records of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as archival records with provincial significance collected from private sources.

With the move to The Rooms in 2005, there have been marked improvements to the services provided by the Archives. These improvements have included additional resources to acquire and preserve collections through digital preservation; proper archival supplies and storage areas; and well as the advanced environmental controls the building provides. Improved technology has made collections available through computer applications in addition to scanning and digital media; directly impacting client outreach and the way researchers utilize archives� materials and their ability to access records via the web.

Archives have an increased presence and relevance in society and are becoming increasingly integrated into cultural and arts centred initiatives such as The Rooms Corporation. This has been seen at the Archives division through the increase in researchers accessing the archives.

Since September of 1988 when the first registration took place, the Archives have registered 21,462 researchers from all walks of life and all over the world. Genealogists, students, historians, along with writers and journalists from as far away as Italy, China and Australia have availed of the Archives world-class services and archival materials.

In November, The Room Corporation�s Provincial Archives Division, along with the Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives and other archives in the province, will be taking part in archives celebrations in order to mark the accomplishments of archives in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The Rooms Corporation�s Provincial Archives Division is at an incredibly exciting point in its history and development" commented Greg Walsh, Director. "The Archives has never been better equipped or resourced to carry out its mandate to preserve and make available the documentary heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador for its citizens and the world. We look forward to another 50 years of discoveries, challenges and achievements in working with the province�s archival holdings to make them better known and better accessible to all who seek them."

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Media contact:
Chrysta Collins
Communications Officer
The Rooms Corporation
709-757-8091
chrystacollins@therooms.ca