The Associates of the
Provincial Archives of New Brunswick is an independent non-profit group
that has been formed to work with staff and volunteers to further the aims and
objectives of the Archives. The group's object is to supplement and enhance the
Archives' programs, and provide opportunities for members of the public to
participate directly in preserving New Brunswick's documentary heritage.
Support or 'friends' groups have long played a vital part in heritage work, and
they have become increasingly important to many
institutions. They indicate a broader sense of community involvement and a greater
ingenuity in using available resources and in attracting potential sources of
support.
Members of the group are drawn from regions throughout the province and possess
a range of heritage interests and concerns. Their interests are as researchers,
educators, donors, writers, artists, collectors and consultants, and workers in
other cultural fields.
The
Provincial Archives welcomes the support of the Associates to enrich and
enhance its operations. The well-organized efforts of the Associates attract
donations of time, specialized services, equipment, facilities and funding for
major projects or the acquisition of significant collections that would
otherwise be inaccessible to the Archives. The work of the Associates helps the
Archives meet the steadily increasing demands the institution is facing. The
Archives is experiencing a growth in the numbers of inquiries from both
government and the public, the impact of electronic media, and the care and
preservation of the collections.
The
Provincial Archives collects and preserves documents that have a bearing on the history
of the province. It is the repository for all government records of enduring
value. It also acquires documents or reproductions from individuals,
families, churches, businesses, associations, and other repositories. It is the
centre for primary research sources in New Brunswick history and attracts a
wide range of visitors, including government and legal researchers, scholars in
all branches of history, family historians, statisticians, and
environmentalists. The Archives also supports the work of regional and thematic
archives throughout the province by providing professional advice, service and
assistance. In a province as old and as diverse as New Brunswick, this many
responsibilities can be a daunting task. The support of the Associates is
most welcome.