Archival Appraisal Criteria
A. Functional Analysis: Overview of the office of origin.
- Administrative level of the office - location in the decision making hierarchy.
- Duties of the office - impact on the mission, policies, and functions of the agency or organization.
- Identify which record types created by the office best document its functions.
- Identify records which are required to be maintained by statute
- Identify records which are declared confidential by statute.
B. Content Analysis: Quality of information within the records.
- Evidential value.
- a. How well do the records document the function, policies, structure, and activities of the agency or
organization?
- b. Preserve the original source materials when possible, rather than secondary sources or transcriptions.
- Informational value.
- a. Do the records contain information about significant people, events, trends, and topics affecting the
history of Wyoming?
- b. Are significant policies or activities described?
- c. Are the interests, values, and experiences of the people of Wyoming well represented?
- d. Do the records provide information, insight, or perspectives not documented by records currently
maintained by the archives?
- e. Is the information well documented and reliable?
- f. Consider the value of the information to genealogical researchers.
- g. Does the information in the record complement other records in the agency or organization?
C. Object Analysis.
- Does the record have intrinsic value as a particularly significant or revered document, or because of the author or an
original signature.
- Is the physical form, material, or design of the record unique, special, or important?
- Is the medium upon which the information is recorded difficult to access or preserve?
- Condition.
- a. Is the record intact?
- b. Will conservation measures be necessary?
- c. Is the value, accessibility, or reliability of the record’s content affected by its condition?
D. Accessibility and Use.
- Assess the anticipated use of the materials based on past reference activity and the significance and popularity of the
topic.
- Assess the potential increase in the value of the record to future researchers.
- Are there legal or donor imposed restrictions on the use of the records?
- Can the archives preserve and use the record in its original format? If not, does an alternative format affect the value of
the record and the information it contains?
E. Cost Benefit Analysis.
- Does the value of the record, especially compared with current holdings, warrant the time, cost, and space that will be
required to maintain it?
- Does the value of the record justify the application of needed conservation measures?
- Can the archives adequately store and access the records?
- Does accessing the information on the record require the acquisition of special equipment or materials?