The preservation of the archive

With the digital reproduction, the Onassis Foundation prevents damage of the original material, obtains its long-term preservation, and makes the documents accessible to many users

BY AMALIA PAPPA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE GENERAL STATE ARCHIVES (G.S.A.), HEAD OF THE LIBRARY & READING ROOM DEPARTMENT.

International practices and digital reproduction help us to arrange, keep and preserve the original material.

The Cavafy archive is important and very special. For the arrangement, keeping and preservation of the original material, we adopt the best international practices. Our aim is to minimize further damage of the original items, and to prevent loss of precious information.

The archival items are basically made out of paper, which is a very vulnerable material. Their frequent use is quite dangerous for them. Thanks to the Onassis Foundation, who digitized the Cavafy archive, this danger has been minimized.

The digital reproduction of the archive guarantees the safety and long-term preservation of the original items. It makes the most of the material, as it renders the same document accessible to many users at the same time. The aim is to promote the archive and make it useful. Using modern technology, we encourage research, and spread knowledge to a wider public.