This Helvetia has long since arrived in the digital age, as can be seen from the floppy disk and the cloud in the background – making it an apt symbol of the modern archive. Founded in Lenzburg in 1922, the Association of Swiss Archivists represents archivists, record managers and information professionals. As a national body, it supports collaboration between professional archives and aims to ensure user-friendly access to archive material. It is largely responsible for shaping the information society in Switzerland.

Archives today are generally hybrid, containing both analogue and digital originals and unique items of legal, historical and scientific significance. They provide for transparency and understanding, safeguarding the memory of nations, companies, institutions and individuals. Archives are of great use in fields such as science, journalism, research into local history and genealogy – and indeed also philately.