Accessibility in National Archives to Ensure Credibility: And Planning for Best Practices at the Egyptian National Archives in Cairo

The present study aims to develop document accessibility systems at the Egyptian National Archives in Cairo—Egypt’s national archival institution—to enhance the cultural role of the archive. It focuses on planning best practices for accessibility, inspired by the International Standard for Access to Archives (2008), the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee for the Council Of Europe (2000), and the principles of accessibility issued by the International Council on Archives (ICA) in 2012. The study also includes a Description of the access reality in the Egyptian National Archives and The National Archives (TNA) in the UK In light of the Recommendation No. R (2000) 13 of the Committee of Ministers to Member States on a European Policy on Access to ArchivesThe study employs a descriptive-analytical approach and concludes with several findings, including that the current accessibility methods at the Egyptian National Archives are inconsistent with the nature of the archival documents it preserves, the Egyptian constitution, and international standards and practices.The study provides several recommendations, such as:1. Promoting openness of the Egyptian National Archives to Egyptian universities through collaborative protocols.2. Encouraging cooperation between the archive and academic departments specializing in archival studies to benefit from mutual expertise through training programs and research partnerships.3. Conducting a study on the role of civil society organizations in supporting national archives and improving services, and Expanding the user base of the archive.