Appraisal identifies materials offered to an archives that have sufficient value to be accessioned. It can also be defined as the process of determining the length of time records should be retained, based on legal requirements and their current and potential usefulness.

Selection identifies materials to be preserved because of their enduring value, especially items to be transferred to an archives.

Archivists gather information about the collections they steward as the first step of appraisal.

They study the records creators because they need to learn as much as possible about the administrative history, structure, and functions of an organization or an individual’s life and activities. If the archivists have a good lead file, they already have some of that information in place.

Many archival repositories have acquisition programs. These programs also work in collections that collect a little of everything, such as local history institutions that acquire primary source materials and published monographs and serials.

The motives for creating records vary. They can be personal or come from others. Examples include correspondence and diaries. People create records for social reasons, produced by an array of organizations.

The selection of records of enduring value is the archivist’s first responsibility. All other archival activities hinge on the ability to select wisely. Archivists must educate themselves about the records of contemporary society and improve archival practice accordingly.

Acquisition is the process of acquiring records by transfer, donation, or purchase. It begins with a lead file, a way to keep track of donor contacts.

Collection development establishes policies and procedures used to select materials that the archival repository will acquire; it identifies the creators, subjects, formats, and other characteristics that influence the selection process.