About the Archives

What Are Archives?

The AA archives may include books, papers, minutes, correspondance, leaflets, pamphlets, newspapers, maps, photographs, prints and films... basically anything that has historical importance to AA about individuals, groups or AA as a whole. More recently newer media such as CD-ROM, DVD, computer records and internet are being archived. Archivists identify and preserve portions of this recorded information that have lasting value. Archives record what happened in the past, how it happened, and sometimes even why it happened...

These records -- and the places they are kept -- are called "archives."

What use are the archives?

The primary purpose of those involved in archival work is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The AA Archives provide firsthand information about our past. They are valuable for our members to understand the growth of AA in our area and evolution of the meetings within it.

Archival work is more than mere custodial activity, it is the means by which we collect, preserve and share the rich and meaningful history and heritage of our fellowship. It is by the collection and sharing of these important historical elements that our collective gratitude for Alcoholics Anonymous is deepened.

Who is the Archivist

The archivists service position differs from other areas of the Fellowship in that rotation of office is not considered desirable for the role. The informal network of archivists within the Fellowship runs parallel to our service structure but is not part of it. Consequently archivists have no voting rights at Intergroup. A natural enthusiams and a passion for the fellowships heritage is obviously a core component to the role.

The archivist personally holds the bulk of the material. However in some cases the archives do not hold the originals. In these cases the archivist maintains the whereabouts of original materials. A large part of archivists work involves being a personal interface, making information accessible to users, beit through presentations, conference stalls, or increasingly in digital format via DVD or Internet.