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On 12 November 2009, the eDepot of the National Archives has been put into use.
The Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations for the first time hands over a digitally created document to be archived in the eDepot. Normally, documents are archived only after a lapse of 20 years. This document however, dates back only from 2007. Its symbolic transfer is therefore considered as a milestone in the archival world.
During the past two decades, the use of computers, e-mail and the Internet has increased enormously. Since 2006, the National Archives, in collaboration with various national and international partners, have developed their own eDepot. Storage and safekeeping of digital files is a very specialised work. Documents created today, may be rendered unreadable in a few years' time because of ever changing software applications. In order to overcome this, the eDepot can temporarily store large amounts of files. If the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations itself no longer needs the files, they will be transferred in closed form to the eDepot. The National Archives then ensure continuous access to the digital information in order for the Ministry to still be able to use that information and citizens to be able to consult it at a later stage.The Ministry, as caretaker, remains responsible for the material.
The Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations is partner in a pilot programme for the transfer of digital archive material. During her work visit, on 12 November 2009, to the National Archives, Minister Ter Horst and State Secretary of Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) Bijleveld, Minister Ter Horst handed over the digital introduction file she had received from her predecessor Remkes for the management of the National Archives. More material will follow.
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