Public Administration and Archives - Research Day of the National Archives 2026

Public archives play a vital role in society. They preserve the nation's collective memory, safeguard citizens' rights, and support the effective functioning of public administration. The National Archives of Iceland serves a key role as the authority responsible for records preservation and records management in Iceland, and this role is the central focus of this publication.

The work of the National Archives of Iceland has changed significantly with the advent of digital government. Reliable records management across the public sector is essential to ensuring the preservation and accessibility of information relating to citizens' rights and interests, as well as the administration and history of the nation. The National Archives is responsible for establishing rules and standards for records management and recordkeeping within public administration. Public archives oversee the implementation of these requirements to ensure the secure long-term preservation of records for future users.

In the book Public Administration and Archives: The Practice of Records Preservation and Records Management, published by the National Archives of Iceland, ten articles by nine authors examine various aspects of the development of long-term records preservation, the supervisory role of the National Archives of Iceland, and the importance of records in public administration.

At the National Archives' Research Day, six of the book's authors will present their articles and participate in a panel discussion moderated by Kristín Benediktsdóttir, Parliamentary Ombudsman of Iceland. The programme will be chaired by Helga Jóna Eiríksdóttir, editor of the publication.

The publication will be formally launched at the end of the programme, and copies of the book will be available for purchase at the venue.