Private papers are those created by an individual for his or her own benefit within his or her individual right. These papers are in the hands of the individual to whom the public document pertains and are not made accessible for view to the general public. Private documents may include letters, notes, diaries, and personal accounts. As private documents do not represent the views of anyone but the writer, they cannot be considered official records. They may be used for private purposes such as history or journalism. Official records are documents generated by organizations, companies, governments, etc. that are required by law to be kept for reference by those charged with specific duties. Examples include contracts, letters, memos, journals, newspapers, reports, surveys, transcripts, certificates, and files. Official records are useful because they contain information about the operations of agencies and services provided by these institutions. Public documents are items that can be viewed by the general public. They can be found in libraries, museums, and other collections across the world. Public documents are important for research into topics such as history, politics, society, and culture. When writing about private documents or public documents, it is necessary to distinguish them accurately.