The Belize Archives and Records Service (BARS), originally named the National Archives of Belize and later the Belize Archives Department, is located in the capital city, Belmopan.[1] According to the BARS Act, 2004, its mission is to "acquire, preserve and provide information of our national heritage."[2] It houses both public records, dating back to around the 1770s, and several private collections of documents and photographs.[2]
History
editThe National Archives was established by the Government of Belize as a unit of the Public Library Service of Belize on August 5, 1965, the year after the country's independence.[1] Leo H. Bradley, Sr., head of the Library Service at the time, was appointed Honorary Archivist.[2]
In 1975, it was split off from the Library Service and established as a unit in its own right.[1] At that time, it was run by a British archivist, assisted by a staff of three.[1]
In 1980, it moved to its current location at 26/28 Unity Boulevard in Belmopan.[1]
Charles Gibson, the first Belizean chief archivist of the Belize Archives Department,[3] was appointed in 1982.[1] Herman Byrd was named director of BARS in 2008 and was still serving in that post as of 2018.[1]
In 1995, an information technology unit was set up to help automate the archives.[1]
Organization
editThe director is the head of BARS. As of 2018, there was an administrative unit to provide support for five technical units:[1]
- user services
- preservation
- records management
- information technology
- audiovisual
Each of these five units is led by a head or supervisor who reports to the deputy director.[1]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Franks, Patricia C., ed. (2018). The International Directory of National Archives. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 40–42. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "History". Belize Archives and Records Service. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
- ↑ Gibson, Charles. "Revising Archival Legislation in Zomora: A Case Study" (PDF). Retrieved April 26, 2026.
- Encyclopædia Belizeana, "El Archivo Nacional", p. 3409, I.S.B.N. 947-192-420-001-69-50.