What is the main objective of archives?

The main objective of archives is to transfer inactive records of permanent value for preservation. This process involves identifying, preserving, and maintaining records that have historical importance or are vital for legal, administrative, or cultural reasons. Archives play a crucial role in data retention policies, ensuring that essential documentation is not only kept safe but is also retrievable for future reference.

This function supports accountability and transparency in government operations, enabling access to information that can help trace historical decisions or understand past administrative actions. Maintaining these records contributes to the public's knowledge of municipal history and governance.

The other choices focus on different aspects of record management or access. For example, while storing municipal records indefinitely and providing online access to public records are important, they are not the primary goal of archives. Managing records for efficiency in municipal operations emphasizes operational efficiency rather than the preservation of historical documents. Therefore, the preservation of inactive records with permanent value is what fundamentally defines the purpose of archival work.