Paper short abstract:

The tradition archives are grappling with the translation of a paper based method to the digital revolution. In the paper the present day situation of tradition archives as well as their future plans will be explored through the analysis of a questionnaire distributed the spring of 2015.

Paper long abstract:

Several papers, articles, anthologies and Ph.D. thesis's deal with various aspects of history, activities and future prospects of the tradition archives but an overview of the different archives seem to be lacking. We are in the middle of the so-called digital revolution where we try to make sense of our methodology, our material and duties that may or may not include a general access for the public, in light of new technologies and new (and old?) challenges. At this point it can be valuable to look at where we are, learn what others are doing, and to see if we are in fact grappling with the same issues.

During the spring of 2015 a questionnaire will be distributed to the active tradition archives in the Nordic and Baltic region mapping the present day situation. Questions include plans and hopes and ideas for the future as well as descriptions of status quo. This paper offers an overview of the results from the questionnaire. The aim is to provide grounds for thinking ahead, operating together and strengthening our field of methodology, that is, if the responses show that the archives see an active future ahead.