About

Launched: 2013
Record Updated: Feb 05, 2025
Archive information management system
Discovery system
ArchivesSpace is an open source, web application for managing archives information. The application is designed to support core functions in archives administration such as accessioning; description and arrangement of processed materials including analog, hybrid, and born-digital content; management of authorities (agents and subjects) and rights; and reference service. The application supports collection management through collection management records, tracking of events, and a growing number of administrative reports. The application also functions as a metadata authoring tool, enabling the generation of EAD, MARCXML, MODS, Dublin Core, and METS formatted data.

Mission

ArchivesSpace is a community of mutual support committed to helping cultural heritage organizations foster access to, and promote discovery of, historical records and primary sources through the provision of sustainable and highly functional software and tools.

Key Achievements

- membership community of over 500 institutions as of September 2024
- release of 4.0.0 coming in Fall 2024
- greater support for multilingual description and translations coming in 2025

Technical Attributes

Maintenance Status

Actively Maintained

Open Code Repository

Implemented

Technical Documentation

Implemented

Code License

Implemented

Open API

Implemented

Open Product Roadmap

Implemented

Technical Attribute Statements

Programming Languages

  • java
  • mysql
  • ruby

Technology Readiness Level

  • Actual system proven in operational environment

Code Licenses Used

Educational Community License, Version 2.0

Standards

Metadata

  • Dublin Core
  • JSON
  • MARC XML
  • METS
  • MODS
  • OAI-PMH
Other:
EAD, EAC-CPF

Persistent Identifier

ARKs; also any type of persistent identifier can be added and categorized as as such in our identifier fields for agents

Hosting Options

  • Through third party vendor only

Service Providers

Integrations

community-developed solutions provide some measure of integration with Archivematica, Islandora, and CollectionSpace; vendor-developed solutions for Preservica, Aviary

Community Engagement

Code of Conduct

Implemented

Community Engagement

Implemented

Community Statements

Community Engagement Activities

  • Annual meetings
  • Blogs
  • Community calls
  • Conference participation
  • Interest, working, user, or advisory groups
  • Mailing lists and discussion forums (including Slack)
  • Social media
  • Staff roles with responsibility for community engagement
  • Webinars and training

Engagement with Values Frameworks

  • It Takes a Village Open Source Software Sustainability toolkit

Policies & Governance

Policies

Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

Implemented

Privacy Policy

Implemented

Web Accessibility Statement

Implemented
Applies to Solution

Governance Records

Implemented

Governance Structure & Processes

Implemented

Transparent Pricing and Cost Expectations

Implemented

Policy Statements

Board Structure

  • Advisory board or steering committee

Board Level

high level decision-making and strategic discussions, ensuring the financial health of the organization and approval of the annual budget, overseeing and representing the ArchivesSpace community at large in the relationship with Lyrasis, the organizational home

Community Governance

  • Formal

Additional Information

Organizational History

https://archivesspace.org/about/history

Organizational Structure

Business or Ownership Model

Other

Full-time Staff

6-10

Current Affiliations

New York University and the University of California San Diego are the founding partners and have permanent seats on the Board; Lyrasis is the organizational home

Funding

Primary Funding Source

membership

Funding Needs

accelerated feature development, improvements to the technical stack, integrations with other applications used in archives, anti-racism and inclusion improvements, expanded engagement and support offerings for the community, expansion of user community, sustainability overall