An Analysis of Challenges in Archival Storage Management and Strategies for Enhancing Efficiency

Document Type : Original Article

Author

PhD in Post-Islamic Iranian History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.

Abstract
The management of archival repositories and documents, serving as the core of documentary heritage preservation, is directly linked to the level of knowledge, skills, and competencies of human resources. To ensure the physical preservation of records and enhance service efficiency, every archival center requires the establishment of a robust framework of standards, regulations, and specialized principles in repository management. Adopting a descriptive-analytical approach based on documentary research and the author’s professional lived experience, this study aims to examine the challenges facing archival repository management and propose actionable solutions, addressing the core question: What are the primary challenges of archival storage management, and how can their operational performance be improved? The findings reveal that archival repositories confront four fundamental categories of challenges: “structural, organizational, and regulatory,” “physical, environmental, and capacity-related,” “operational and workflow/record tracking,” and “managerial, preservation, and occupational health” barriers. Accordingly, practical recommendations are formulated across four corresponding axes: human resource development and specialized training, upgrading repository infrastructure and equipment, optimizing document workflows and processes, and reinforcing motivational and occupational support. Therefore, these proposed solutions can serve as an operational model for archival managers, specialists, and planners to facilitate structural decision-making and enhance repository performance.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 07 November 2026

  • Receive Date 29 August 2026
  • Revise Date 25 September 2026
  • Accept Date 04 November 2026
  • Publish Date 07 November 2026