Archives can refer to collections, organizations, or buildings. See What are Archives? on archivists.org for a full definition and explanation of archives and the work of Archivists.
The Society of American Archivists (SAA) is "North America's oldest and largest national professional association dedicated to the needs and interests of archives and archivists." Learn more about SAA.
SAA's Core Values Statement of Code of Ethics largely inform the work undertaken by the Department of Distinctive Collections.
See the SAA Dictionary for more information about terms used in archives.