Assessing and Ranking the Software Available in Archival Centers of Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

Purpose: The homogeneity of library software programs paves the way for easier management of information. Library software should be designed and presented in such a way that along with comfortable application, it contains various capabilities suitable for different types of search, presenting the results of information retrieval, displaying the information and managing the search history, functional for different types of information resources. The archival software programs applied in archival centers need the same qualities. A comprehensive archival program, which is based on standards of archival construction, can broadly satisfy the needs of both archivists and researchers for better access to the archival information. The main purpose of this research is to assess the archival centers of Iran in terms of their archival software.
 Methodology: The present research employs the descriptive/survey method. As the first step, a checklist containing archival requirements was prepared through studying different texts and interviewing archiving professionals. On the basis of the information obtained, it was ascertained which types of archival requirements were covered at any archival center. The next step was identifying and assessing the software programs available in the archival centers against a checklist. Through this checklist the software programs available in any archival center were calibrated. This study on the present software programs enabled the researchers to analyze the presence or absence of the various capabilities in the software.
 Findings: This research shows that the “Naghshe Jahan” and “Shenasnameye Farhangie Isargaran” programs have the least compliance with the factors mentioned in the checklist. Most of the studied archival software programs had some weak points in applying archival standards and presenting an efficient guideline. The findings also indicate that none of the studied archival software programs apply adequate archival standards; however, “Rasa” and “Simorq” programs have a basic and elementary capability.

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