Latvijas Nacionālā arhīva, Latvijas Valsts arhīvs
- National Archives of Latvia, State Archives of Latvia
- NAL SAL (National Archives of Latvia, State Archives of Latvia) , LSA (Latvian State Archives); LNA LVA (Latvijas Nacionālā arhīva Latvijas Valsts arhīvs), CVORA ( Centrālais Valsts Oktobra revolūcijas un sociālistiskās celtniecības arhīvs)
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History
The Central State Archives of the October Revolution and the Socialist Construction of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic was established by Decision 831 of the Latvian SSR Council of Ministers (CM) of 31 December 1961. The Statute of the Central Archives of the October Revolution was accepted on 22 April 1962, according to which the Archives were to be a research institution tasked with the preservation of documentary material of the Latvian SSR (1917-1919; 1940-1941). The name was changed to the State Archives of Latvia (SAL) on 1 May 1991. The Archives were supplemented with documents from Socialist and Communist organisations, from the Latvian SSR CSS (Committee for State Security [KGB]) documents, from public and political organizations, and from Latvian exile and juridical organisations. After the archival system was reorganised, the National Archives of Latvia (NAL) was established as a direct public administration authority on 1 January 2011. The State Archives of Latvia became a structural unit of NAL.
Geographical and Cultural Context
On 30 December 1961 the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic CM decided to reorganise the Archive department, and in 1962 renamed it the LSSR CM Archive management; the LSSR State Archive was renamed the Central State Archive of History. On 1 January 1961 a decision was made to establish the Central State Archive of the October revolution and Socialist Construction of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic; after Latvian independence, this archive was renamed the State Archive of Latvia (SAL) on 1 May 1991. Under the State Administration Law of the Republic of Latvia, this system of Archives was reorganised and the National Archives of Latvia (NAL) was established on 1 January 2011. The State Archives of Latvia subsequently became a structural unit of the NAL.
Mandates/Sources of Authority
The State Archives of Latvia (LVA) is a structural unit of the National Archives of Latvia. The Archives collect and hold documents of central governmental institutions (parliament, cabinets of ministers, and other institutions) of the Republic of Latvia; documents of Rīga and Jūrmala municipal institutions; personal fonds of Latvians and foreigners who have had a political, social, scientific, cultural and/or artistic impact on Latvia; and archives of Latvian exile organisations. The Archives also hold documents concerning Latvian Social democracy; documents of the Communist Party of Latvia; and documents from the Latvian SSR CSS (Committee for State Security [KGB]) about repressed persons. The State Archives of Latvia insures preservation and use of documents related to the history of Latvia since 1940 according to the Law of Archives.
Administrative Structure
The State Archives of Latvia has 4 units: the Section of Person fonds and Foreign countries documents; the Department of Document Preservation; the Department of References; and the Utilities Service Section with 48 workers.
Records Management and Collecting Policies
The National Archives of Latvia and the State Archives of Latvia collect, preserve, and employ policy principles based on the Law of Archives (3 March 2010). NAL operates according to Statutes of NAL (confirmed 29 December 2010) and Regulation (29 June 2011).
Building(s)
The State Archives of Latvia is located in two buildings in Riga: Bezdelīgu ielā 1a and Skandu ielā 14 (formerly known as Kurzemes prospektā 5).
Archival and Other Holdings
As of 1 January 2014 the NAL State Archives of Latvia hold 3,164,852 archival units 33,283 linear meters long. The building at Bezdelīgu iela 1 stores 1,070,773 archival units (13,410 linear meters). The building at Skandu Street 14 stores 2,094,079 archival units (19,873 linear meters).
Finding Aids, Guides, and Publication
Described and organised fonds of the State Archives of Latvia have inventory lists and archival descriptions. An Internal usage card index and database are used as a search aid. For information about fond searching tools and publications, see:
Opening Times
The Reading Room is open to researchers:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Closed on the last Thursday of each month
The Archives' visiting hours (to request information):
Monday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Documents will be delivered to readers within 3 hours of being ordered if the request is submitted by 3 p.m. Documents requested after this time will be available the following day.
If the items requested by the reader are not technically prepared for use in the reading room, the reader will receive the documents within 2 working days of placing the order.
The reader may be issued a maximum of 30 items at a time.
Up to 10 items can be stored on the reader's desk.
Conditions of Access
The Latvian Parliament has adopted the National Data Protection Law in 2000; and the Law On Preservation and Use of the documents of the former KGB and establishing facts of collaboration with the KGB (1994). Information about archival policies can be found on the NAL website. Data usage policies are subjected to the Law of Archives (2010) and the ES/ EU data protection directive EC 95/46. An application or recommendation letter is required.
Accessibility
Access is regulated by regulations of the NAL SAL. Access is difficult for visitors with reduced mobility.
Research Services
Services of NAL State Archives of Latvia include thematic selection of archival documents, preparation of social, legal, or informative references; translating references or information to English, Russian, or German; creating copies of documents; preparing documents of institutions for holding in Archive (arranging, describing, deposit holding); consulting private persons about administration of archives and documents; preparing conclusions and/or advice about administration of documents; visits to State archives; seminars and lectures in archive science; preparing exhibitions of archival documents.
Reproduction Services
Staff of NAL State Archives of Latvia can copy documents (including digital copies) for researchers. The NAL Department of Preventive Preservation addresses questions concerning specific reproductions, as well as microfilming of archival documents, restoration of documents, document binding, and complex analysis of paper and carton. NAL Latvia State Archive of Audiovisual Documents addresses question concerning specific reproductions of video, audio, and other visual documents.
Public Areas
Payment service in NAL State Archives of Latvia is operated by an account manager (payment by transfer is possible). The NAL State Archives of Latvia creates stationary, mobile (travelling), thematic and virtual exhibitions.
Sources
Entry information provided by National Archives of Latvia, State Archives of Latvia
Copies
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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum holds copies of Holocaust-relevant archives from Latvijas Valsts Arhivs