More than 20 million digitized documents have already been collected in the state “online archive” system, where users can search for materials by keywords, Head of the State Archival Service of Ukraine Anatolii Khromov said in an exclusive interview for the Culture desk of Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
“It was presented in 2022, and now the system already contains more than 20 million digitized documents, which can be searched by keywords,” Khromov said.
According to him, the digitization of the archival system has several levels. The first is basic access in reading rooms, where visitors can work with materials and take photos of documents on their own phone. The second is professional digitization using specialized scanners and software, which requires significant resources and is financed through partnership agreements and a special archives fund.
Khromov also noted that today virtually all state archives have their own websites, and the system operates inter-archive search portals that enable users to find information remotely.
Separately, he emphasized the transition of archives to a service-based access model: basic options for users remain free of charge, while additional services are paid due to the need for resources.
“People can work in reading rooms free of charge, view materials online, and make their own digital copies. But if someone needs a professional scan copy, official certification, or special document processing, this is already a separate procedure that requires resources,” the Head of the State Archival Service explained.
He clarified that the free options include, in particular, work in the reading room and self-copying, but for this a person needs to physically come to the archive. At the same time, remote copying, he said, may cost approximately about UAH 5 per page, which for many is more convenient and cheaper than travel expenses.
According to Khromov, digital tools and expanded online access are also important for security during wartime: digital copies allow reducing the physical use of originals and keeping them in storage facilities, minimizing the risks of damage to documents.
Source — Interfax-Ukraine
ARCHIVES, DIGITIZATION, KHROMOV, ONLINE ACCESS
