Tasmanian Information Acquisition Policy

Preserving Tasmanian ​Government Records

The Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office works with government agencies to make sure we keep records needed in the future. Staff

• appraise records and destroy those unlikely to be of future use. 
  
• preserve and enable correct access to records
  
• justify and document all decisions about retaining or disposing records
  

We can generally destroy records once they have fulfilled their original purpose and met all legal and accountability needs. We keep records that:

• are evidence of the authority, foundation and machinery of government and public sector bodies
  
• record significant government decisions and their impact
  
• provide evidence of legal status and entitlements of individuals and groups. Examples include birth, death and marriage registrations, land ownership and probate
  
• are a valuable cultu​ral resource
  
• help protect or help the well-being of the community

The Tasmanian Government Record Keeping website has detailed guidance and advice.

Preserving non-government records

We preserve non-government records, of individual Tasmanians and organisations such as

• community groups
  
• churches
  
• businesses and companies
  
• political parties
  
• trade and professional associations
  
• sporting bodies
  

We collect:

• Letters
  
• Diaries and reminiscences
  
• Minutes of meetings
  
• Maps, plans and photographs
  
• Film, video, and audio recordings
  
• Digital records and images
  

We do not collect copies of original material where the originals remain in private hands

Tasmanian publications

We acquire Tasmanian publications through

• legal deposit
  
• purchase
  
• donation or bequest
  

We collect

• legal deposit titles relevant to Tasmania, including online publications
  
• multiple copies of titles in high demand, ready reference material, and fragile or rare material
  
• out of print or antiquarian titles to fill gaps or replace missing or seriously damaged items
  
• curriculum materials as representative samples of educational practices
  
• selected Tasmanian websites that represent Tasmanian life online
  
• selected ephemera by donation. We give priority to major events or under-represented fringe events, election campaigns, performing arts, art exhibition catalogues
  
• honours and higher degree theses documenting aspects of Tasmanian life
  
• film and television productions created in Tasmania but not productions with Tasmanian content created elsewhere. We work closely with the National Film and Sound Archive
  

We do not generally collect

• photocopies, reprints and editions without change
  
• television news footage – Television stations keep these
  
• radio broadcasts – preserved by the National Film and Sound Archive
  

Related Policies​

• Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts Collection Policy
  
• ​For local studies collections see our Selection principles​​
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