Denmark’s Memory – The Danish National Archives’ Strategy

As a cultural institution, the National Archives plays an important societal role by collecting, preserving, and providing authentic data, which is used in collaboration with public authorities, citizens, researchers, and private actors. This creates an essential foundation for an informed public debate about our shared past, present, and future.

With a focus on high security, clear legal frameworks, and responsible digital development, the National Archives safeguards the collections so they can also be used in the future.

The Danish National Archives hold a vast collection of data spanning from the 12th century to the present day, sourced from both governmental authorities and private entities. This extensive  epository illuminates the foundations of our society and the roots of our population.

By preserving and enriching this data, the National Archives facilitates the creation of new knowledge and insights into our society, both from historical and contemporary perspectives.

In this way, the Archives’ collection plays a crucial role in addressing current challenges and fostering an informed public discourse about our collective future.

In an era characterized by rapid change, where emerging technologies blur the lines between fact and fiction, the authentic data maintained by the Danish National Archives serves as an invaluable resource.

This wealth of information bolsters trust in factual evidence and makes a significant contribution to democratic dialogue.

The demand for data among researchers, institutions, and citizens is growing rapidly. Therefore, access to the Danish National Archives’ collections must be both simple and secure for all users.

The extensive use of data necessitates high standards of data security and raises questions about responsible data usage.

While new technologies offer opportunities to create more value, they also they also call for updated methodologies in data collection and preservation.

• The Danish National Archives aims to support the use of data in new ways that create new knowledge for the benefit of society, with a focus on high security and responsible digital development.
• The Danish National Archives digitizes paper archives, thereby creating accessibility that opens up new connections and insights.
• Through text recognition technology and metadata enrichment, the Danish National Archives makes the collections easier to use.

• The Danish National Archives will work to ensure that authorities and researchers have easy access to their own data.
• The Danish National Archives clarifies which data citizens can find about themselves in the archives and makes it easier for citizens to access data.
• The Danish National Archives engages in dialogue with relevant parties about the use of data in the public sector and develops the basis for concrete reuse of public data that is no longer in administrative use.

• The Danish National Archives shall, through dialogue with the outside world, ensure comprehensive documentation of society and continue to develop the framework for collection and preservation.
• The Danish National Archives shall continuously adapt to changes in the public sector’s use of technology, so that data can be preserved.
• The Danish National Archives shall continuously develop its infrastructure for collection and preservation to meet new requirements for security, capacity, and rapid reuse.