June 9 – International Archives Day

“In 2007, the International Council on Archives formalized June 9 as International Archives Day.

The Congregation of the Sisters of Providence has always considered their archives to be very important in perpetuating their Charism and Mission. As proof, we quote chapter 52 of the first printed Rules of the Community, in 1858: ‘There shall be in the secretary’s and business’ office, archives, which must be placed safe from fire and kept in such good order that it may be easy to find any record.’

Although methods have changed since that time, the Providence Archives throughout the congregation continue today to carefully care for the Sisters of Providence’s files.”

Marie-Claude Béland, Professional Archivist

CUSTOMARY RULES.

CHAPTER LII

Archives, Registers, Inventories and Forms of Acts.

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1. There shall be in the secretary’s and business’ office, archives, which must be placed safe from fire and kept in such good order that it may be easy to find any record.
2. To this end, all books, registers, and records shall be properly classified and placed in numbered or labelled cabinets or drawers, so that they can be easily found.
3. The contracts, books and inventories that need to be taken from the archives shall be listed in a book entitled: Memorandum on Missing Records, specifying to whom the record was provided, at what time and for what reason. The date of the return of this record to the archives shall be marked.
4. Each book will have its title, to know which acts will have to be inserted in it.
5. In the writing of the acts, the formulas accepted by usage shall be followed.
6. Books for the community, the novitiate, the wards for the infirm, and others are to be kept, in which to enter acts of deliberation, receptions, dismissals or deaths, and other similar things.
7. At the end of each book or register, a good table will be provided, by means of which one can…