New guidelines for storing government documents and records have been adopted by the Bermuda Archives, Premier Jennifer Smith told Parliamentarians of Wednesday.

The guidelines, adopted by the International Council on Archives (ICA) - of which Bermuda is a member through the Caribbean Regional Branch (CARBICA) - are designed to ensure that records reflect all components of a society, avoiding concentration on the "official" culture only, as well as promoting better access to information and technology, global cooperation and partnership with other cultural institutions such as museums and libraries, Premier Smith said.

"It is important to note the essential role that should be assigned to archives and records management in the development of a global information society and the preservation of its memory," Premier Smith added. The Bermuda Archives falls under the Cabinet Office in the Civil Service.

"Records and archives are the direct and authentic product of human activities, and thus constitute evidence documenting the development of humankind and the environment," she explained.

The ICA's new guidelines direct that archives and records are "unique and irreplaceable", concern all citizens both today and in the future, as evidence of their rights and entitlements., and they are fundamental to the historical and cultural identities of individuals and cultures.

Access to archives is also central to the new push by the ICA, with training for staff and proper legislation and preservation of volatile and changeable being important to informing the public.

"I wish to assure Members of the House of the Government's intention to follow these principles in considering the Bermuda Archives," Premier Smith added.