Archival Services
State archives are records of permanent value that originate from Western Australian Colonial and State Government agencies and also from Local Governments (i.e. towns and shires). These records comprise the State archives collection at the State Records Office and include: files, maps, architectural drawings, microform and sound recordings. With some exceptions all original records can be viewed by the public in the Search Room situated on the ground floor of the Alexander Library Building in the Perth Cultural Centre.
The Archival Services Team of the State Records Office performs the following activities:
- Assists with the selection of records as government archives and coordinates the transfer of archival records to the custody of the State Records Office.
- Ensures the appropriate storage and preservation (including microfilming) of archival records. Archives currently stored occupy approximately 10 kms of shelving.
- Ensures that records transferred to the State archives collection are documented in finding aids. These are located in the Search Room in order to facilitate agency and public access to these records.
- Operates a reference service for clients in the Search Room. Staff also respond to reference queries received by mail, fax or email.
- Provides access to State archives to public clients in the State Records Office Search Room. In the case of restricted records prior approval must be obtained from the controlling agency before they are made available for public use.
- A loan service is provided to those Government agencies which have transferred records to the State archives collection.
- Stores temporary records (for a fee) on behalf of Government agencies at the State Intermediate Records Repository, situated at Dianella.
For more information on types of services offered by the Archival Services Team see the Services to the Community and Services to Government sections.
