• The Korean Journal of Archival Studies
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• no.23
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• pp.87-139
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• 2010

Unlike in the past, a new paradigm has been presented which the use of records is much more important than the preservation of those in the present. It will be necessary for users to signalizes the value of records and to make themselves easily accessible to records in order that records should be more effectively used. To meet the needs of the times, it is the very 'Contents' that starts to attract public attention. National Archives in England produces and provides contents utilizing multi-media by using digital technology on various sorts of archives which England has. In addition to England, Asian Historical Records center in Japan in Japan makes Archival Contents Service reflecting users' needs and continues to update the latest contents. What is more, National Archives of Korea has recently promoted the introduction of digital archive by the change of archival paradigm in records management, and it is giving an impetus to the development of contents in the digital archive. In fact, it is crucial to keep as many contents as possible and to give service to public, but it will not be possible to get positive response from public and to offer much higher level of archival information service until the quality of contents is highly improved. Accordingly, this manuscript analyzed the feature and type of contents which National Archives of Korea provides with cases of both TNA in England and Asian Historical Records center in Japan, each of which has different characteristics. Also, it dealt with several methods of the usage of contents in those organizations. Furthermore, this study explained what kind of contents and feedback are given to users. Moreover, it divided the components of contents of three institutions as mentioned into three by information provided and evaluated the quality of contents by establishing the details of contents. In addition, there were implications for archives with regard to reference for building contents.