Over the last ten years, the staff of the Arizona State Archives has discovered historically significant records in an abandoned airport hanger, a tin shed, a frequently flooded basement, an attic, a condemned hospital and other substandard facilities. Many records were completely destroyed by water, mold and rats, while most of the rest required expensive conservation treatment. Public records should be stored in an area with the following considerations in mind. Security Elected officials should insure that public records are safely stored to prevent vandalism, theft and other unlawful acts. Although the public has the right to use almost all public records, access should be monitored to insure the integrity of the records.
Some buildings have a history of water leaks, electrical shorts and similar problems.
These and other faults are a hazard to personnel and to everything within the building. They are accidents waiting to happen, and sooner or later they will occur. Risk management and fire officials can provide valuable insights to a building's vulnerability to a variety of weaknesses. Common sense plays a critical role in preventing disasters and mishaps. Although unsightly, using duct tape is a cheap and easy repair for leaky windows.