American State Archives

by Ernst Posner

397 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

He conducted the first systematic survey and analysis of state archives and records management program in the United States during the early 1960s. He traveled across the country, visiting every state archives in person, conducting interviews with staff, and collected substantial data on holdings, financial and staffing resources, reference use, storage capacity and conditions, and legal authority. He presents his findings state-by state and includes a description of programs and services for local government records when they existed.

In 1972, Ernst Posner published "Archives in the Ancient World". Posner's work emphasized that archives were not new inventions, but had existed in many different societies throughout recorded history.