I was very pleased to attend the launching in June this year of the book `Guardi.ans of
Memory: essays in remembrance of Hella Jean Barfold held at the Natonal ATch.ives Head Office. It was a touching commemoration of a person who contributed a great deal to the seminal stages of the development of the National Archives in Malta. The book published in her memory is not only a fitting tribute but also a significant achievement for the National Archives.
On that occasion I shared my vision with those present. Following the reform in the
sector by virtue of Act V, 2005, we are experiencing a challenging phase. The National Archives is developing a web portal which will not only make it possible for the public
to obtain information about the archival holdings but also to acquire services online.
This will, no doubt, help everyone to better appreciate the value of public records and archives for their day to day life.
The National Archives is also at present managing two digitization laboratories and look
ing ahead to participating successfully in the eContent funded project APENET and the
EJropean Un'ion projectEUROPEANA. These initiatives will make best use of modern technology to enhance access to information and provide new
methods of preservation. The National Archives Council is working hard to foster synergies among all stakeholders. The National Archives has been commissioned by the CounciltocompilethefirstStateofArchivesreportwhichwillbethebasisfordiscussionduringthefirstNationalForumonArchivestobeheldlaterthis year. I invite all stakeholders and the general public to participate in this forum which will help us identify priorities and plan the way forward.
Concurrently, the National Archivist is chairing an organizing committee which is planning the hosting of the International Round Table Conference on Archives (CITRA) which will be held in Malta in November 2009. This will be another first for us. It will bring to our shores more than 200 archivists
from all over the world and will be an excellent opportunity to showcase our rich archival heritage to the wider professional community.
Allow me to take this opportunity to congratulate the first group of twelve students who have successfully completed their archives studies at degree level and who will be graduating at the end of this year. This is, no doubt, one of the best investments for the continued future development of this fascinating sector.
This issue of the National Archives newsletter reaches you at a time when we are intensively preparing to host the Round Table Conference on Archives. CITRA is the annual forum where archivists discuss archival themes. Between 21 and 27 July the 16th International Congress on Archives was convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Concurrent with this Congress the new CITRA Bureau met to discuss the theme that will dominate the period 200810 until the next Congress in Australia. The CITRA in Malta
which will be held in November 2009 will then focus on one of the subthemes of the general theme. As National Archivist I am proud to have the honour and responsibility to organize such large scale event. It will give the opportunity to archivists to discuss the theme in a country rich with archival holdings. However, it
is also a country which still lacks a community of professional archivists who can steer this sector forward. I be lieve the conference will give a further impetus to the various initiatives already taken to remedy these pitfalls.
This year was also one of consolidation during which the first collective agreement for the employees of the National Archives was signed. We look forward to the introduction of new services and more client oriented initiatives. The launching of the new website at !44unr.nationalarchives.goun± is inspired by these beliefs. We
are there to preserve records created by the people for the people. Thus, the people need to be the focus of our actions. I take this opportunity to invite you all to visit our new website, use its egovernment services and give. us feedback on what can be improved. While acknowledging that its launching will be a big leap forward,I still believe we can refine this tool and give better services. Your views matter to us.
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On 3 July 2008 the National Archives launched the book `Guardians of Memory: essays in re membrance of Hella Jean Bartolo Winston'. The book edited by National Archivist Charles J.
Farrugia is the result of four years of research and collaboration between 28 scholars. The
themes discussed in the book are: Secfi.onA Persona/ rertecft.ons.. `The path of Persistence' by Charles J. Farrugia, `lnternational Gifts' by Anne Thurston, Christine Ardern and Vicki Lemieux, `My Experience in Records Management' by David Cliffe.
Sect/.on 8 Exp`or+.ng archi.va/ ho/di'ngs.. `Some Rare Architectural Books at the National Library of Malta' by Michael EIlul, `The major archives of Gozo', by Joseph Bezzina, `The Music Archives at the
Gozo Cathedral' by Noel D'Anastas, `Fideicommissa and Ordinance No.11 of 1868' by Joseph Cas sar, `A guide to selected records on Malta in the in the Public Record Offlce' by Hella Jean Bartolo
Winston, `Archival Sources for the study of the Role of Malta during the Second World War in UK repositories' by Charles J. Farrugia, `Catalogue from the PRO, CO 926' by Hella Jean Bartolo Win ston, and `Military Service Records of Maltese Soldiers enlisted into the British Army', by Frederick Cauchi lnglott.
Section C Archives based historical research.. The Chancery Of the Order Of St John.. Unadelle o#i'cr'ne pi.u'i.mporfante de/ IVosfro Sagr' Ordi.ne' by Maroma Camilleri, `Medical practictioner in Malta :
A freelance surgeon at Birkirkara in the early Xvlth century' by Stanley Fiorini, `The Order of St John and its control over reading matter 17001798' by William Zammit,19th Century dentists in Malta' by
George Camilleri, `The origins of the records of the Comi'fato Genera/e Ma/tese' by Albert Ganado, `1921 in Malta' by Henry Frendo, `The Central Bank of Malta's Numismatic Collection and Exhibition' by Josephine Zammit.
Section D The world of the Archivist: Mauro lnguanez (18&11955) Monaco ed archivista di Montecassind by Faustjno AINagtiiano, `Llstorja ta' Ma/fa.. X' fttfur? Thirty five years later' by Ann Williams, `The Malta Study Center,19552007' by Theresa M. Vann, `A microfilming project by the Ben
edictines of Minnesota for Malta' by John Azzopardi, `Melitensia in the Twenty First Century' by Lillian Sciberras, `Reconnecting the Past: The role of digitization in archives' by Gabriella lvacs, `Lonely but not necessarily alone: archivists and international cooperation' by Patrick Cadell, `Establishing
a Context: Archives in St Kitts, West lndies' by Victoria Borg 0' Flaherty, `Guilty of Omission or Commission?' by Joseph Schiro'
The launching event was compered by Ms Josephine Zammit. A panel discussion with the participation of Prof. Henry Frendo, MaryAnne Muscat, Charles J. Farrugia and Prof. George Camilleri was the main feature of the event. Rather touching was the airing of an interview which Hella had on
the national television station in 1996. This was also complimented by the reading of poems penned by Hella herself and ably read by Ms Margaret Agius.
Minister Dolores Cristina who was the main guest of the evening said that the publication of the book is a living commemoration of a person who gave
so much to the Maltese archives sector. She expressed her wish to see the cultural sector closer to the public. In particular, she mentioned the plans for a new website and the upcoming hosting of the CITRA conference in Malta as clear examples of this vision.
The book can be purchased from the sections of the National Archives at Rabat and Mdina in Malta and Victoria in Gozo. The price is € 25 (hardbound) and € 20 (softbound). Alternatively one might order a copy via the website at www.nationalarchives.gov.mt, In the case the
publication is to be sent by post payment of postage has also to be included.
For the third consecutive year students from Giovanni Curmi Higher
The National Archives decided to issue a certificate to these students
Secondary School opted to help at the National Archives in Rabat.
to acknowledge their participation in this practicum. The ceremony
The National Archivist, Mr Charles Farrugia offered this opportunity
took place at the National Archives on Thursday 3rd July. The cer
to the First Year Intermediate History Class when they visited the Ar
tificates were presented to the students by Ms Pauline Miceli, Acting
chives on 17th April 2008 with their History teacher Ms Evelyn Pul
Head of the Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School, Magistrate
licino. During the excursion students toured the Archives at Santo
Joseph Cassar and Mr Charles Farrugia.
Spirito.
Mr Farrugia and members of his staff explained the importance of the conservation of documents through digitalisation. The students were
able to appreciate the work involved in preparing the documents for
the perusal of researchers and the general public. They worked on a number of volumes selected by Ms Pullicino which showed differ
ent aspects of the topics they were covering during their lectures. A
number of students showed great interest and the wish to be able to visit this interesting place again, a vital pivot in conserving the collec
tive memory of our nation. Taking the opportunity offered through Mr Farrugia's invitation these
students worked at the National Archives during the last week of June. They were given different tasks like selecting and sorting documents, helping the staff in dealing with requests from the general public and
researchers etc. All the work was carried out under the supervision of the professional staff at the National Archives.
The National Archives is a partner in the eContentplus project APENET
The APENET project will develop a gateway on Internet to documents and archives in Europe, possible to access from the European Digital Library. This gateway will be designed as a portal that provides access to: • information about archival institutions and other cultural heritage institutions public and private keeping archival records and documents; • information about archival fonds (inventories and catalogues); • (through links) digitised documents kept by these institutions.
The partners in APENET include the Bundesarchive (Germany), the National Archives of Malta; the Nationaal Archief (Netherlands), the
National Archives of Poland, the National Archives of Portugal, the Riksarkivet (Sweden); the State Archives of Latvia, and the General State
Archives of Greece.
Restoration of Royal Warrants
The National Archives has a collection of documents related to the granting and revocation of the vari
ous Constitutions of Malta. Most of these are royal warrants on parchment. Unfortunately these records, especially wax seals, suffered extensive damage prior to their reaching the National Archives. Two years ago the Friends of the National Archives took the initiative to ask for funding the Fond ghallKawzi Gusti, administered by the Ministry of Finance. Restoration works were carried out by restorer Mario Gauci. The
work involved the cleaning of the parchment, the encasement of acid free separators, and the restoration of the seals.
School records reach the National Archives ln order to comply with the National Archives Act, schools were asked to deposit their historical records. A circular by the National Archivist was is
sued to all heads of schools on 6 November 2007. This was the result of discussions held with the Director General of Education and the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment. It is worth mentioning that heads of schools welcomed this initiative which has now
resulted in the accessioning of more than 390 registers and around 13 photo albums. Above photos starting left : Floriana, Rabat, Mosta and Luqa
schools presentations.
New Opening Hours to the Public: Head Office, Rabat Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Friday
COUNCIL
8.00am to 2.00pm
Thursday
10.00am to 2.00pm / 3.00pm to 7.30pm
Saturday
8.15am to 12.45pm
Legal Documentation Section Mdina Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
8.00am to 2.00pm
Monday
8.00am to 2.00pm / 3.00pm to 7.30pm
Gozo Section, Rabat Monday Friday
7.30am to 1.30pm
Thursday
7.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday
7.30am to 1.00pm
rl bJI FRIENDS 0F THE NA"ONAL
ARc I I I `.rs oF MAilA