The Zonal State Archive in Molodechno held a series of practical seminars for organizations in the Vileyka District

Staff from the Zonal State Archive in Molodechno organized on-site training sessions for institutions that serve as sources for the archive’s holdings in the Vileyka District. The seminars took place at the Department of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the Vileyka District Executive Committee, as well as at the Vileyka State College.

The primary objective of these meetings was to enhance the professional competence of staff, ensure a unified approach to the formation of archival collections, and facilitate the high-quality preparation of documents for permanent state storage.

During the sessions, the archivists updated participants’ knowledge of the fundamentals of records management, provided a detailed breakdown of the appraisal process (evaluating the value of documents), and discussed the nuances of scientific and technical processing. Particular attention was paid to practical aspects, such as the rules for compiling inventories of files—both those designated for permanent storage and those concerning personnel—as well as the established procedures for transferring documentation to the archive. This approach helps minimize errors during the initial file-creation stage and significantly reduces the time required for subsequent document processing.

The session at the Department of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection was highly practical in nature. Archive specialists provided methodological and hands-on assistance in selecting documents for future transfer. Participants refreshed their understanding of file classification schemes (nomenclatures), retention periods, and the procedures for drafting acts authorizing the disposal of documents. A key takeaway from the meeting was a clarification of the true purpose of document appraisal: it is not merely a technical selection procedure, but a vital process—conducted regularly by an organization’s expert commission—to identify documents of historical, scientific, or legal significance.

The working visit to Vileyka concluded with a round-table discussion involving specialists from the Vileyka District Archive, which focused on the topic of electronic document management. Participants discussed current digitalization trends, analyzed the status of electronic document management (EDM) implementation, and exchanged views on its future development within the context of digital transformation.

1. During a seminar at the Department of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the Vileyka District Executive Committee.

2. During a seminar at the Vileyka State College.

3. During a round-table discussion at the Vileyka District Archive.