Arhivska djelatnost u Bosni i Hercegovini - kvalitet ili kvantitet
Archival activity in Bosnia and Herzegovina - quality or quantity

Summary/Abstract: Before the war of 1992-1995, there had been 7 archives in B&H for quite a long time. In the early 80’s, 2 more regional archives were formed, by separation from the already existing archives (a region was separated from the territory of Archive of Banjaluka and the Archive of Bihać was thus formed; and the Archive in Foča was created by separation from Sarajevo’s territory), so there were 9 archives in B&H before the war. The entire territory of what was then the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina was covered with the archival network. There was one “Law on archival profession” with legal acts that regulated our field of work in a unified manner. Public archival materials were considered a public property. We had one professional association, with its branches. We had one professional magazine. Professional titles were standardized and unified. The Archive of B&H had a parental function and it was the information center. Our profession at that time was on a considerable level. After the creation of the State of B&H, with its present administrative organization, the major setback we face is the lack of archival network that would cover the entire state territory. The fact is that we now have 11 archives, but we have 12 laws related to our profession. There is only a small number of legal acts that additionally explain the functions of our profession. The ownership over the public archival materials is basically undefined. We have more than 5 professional associations and 4 professional magazines. There are differences even in our professional titles. The Archive of B&H does not have a parental function anymore, and despite all our technological advancements, we still do not have any database that could supply information regarding the archival materials in B&H and our profession. We are aware that, with the current administrative-political organization of our state, we will have to wait for a very long time before we get a uniform law and the uniform legal acts.

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