Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez, Call Box 9000 Mayagüez, PR 00681 (787) 832-4040 ext. 3810, 2151, 2155 library@uprm.edu
The postcustodial model is an archival model where the archival institution does not take possession of the records meant to be preserved. Instead, the creators or owners of the archival records retain possession over them, while the archival institution provides assistance or oversight related to the management of the records, which can include things like organization, description, access, and preservation.
The postcustodial model can be used to sustain more equitable collaborative relationships between archives and communities. Instead of taking possession of records owned by community members, an archive can create digital copies of the materials for access and preservation purposes, as well as provide guidance to the community members related to management and care of the documents. In this way, the records are kept by the people.
The South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) employs the postcustodial model for this purpose. The passage below describes the process followed by SAADA in the creation of their archival collection:
"SAADA is run entirely on a postcustodial model so that, rather than accept physical custody of records, SAADA borrows records from individuals, families, organizations, and academic and government repositories; digitizes them; describes them in a culturally appropriate manner; links them to related materials in the archives; and makes them freely accessible online to anyone in the world with an Internet connection. After digitization, the physical materials remain with the individual, family, organization, or repository where they originated."
Caswell, M., Cifor, M., Ramirez, M.H. (2016). "To suddenly discover yourself existing”: Uncovering the impact of community archives. The American Archivist, 79(1), 56–81. https://doi.org/10.17723/0360-9081.79.1.56
Use these links to learn more about the post-custodial archiving model: