Usuários do Arquivo Central da Prefeitura Municipal de João Pessoa: identificando perfil e buscas

Abstract

Studying users is a vital tool for the development of archival practices. Thus, this exploratory and descriptive research had as general objective to know the users of the Central Archive of the Municipality of João Pessoa - PB and their searches for information. As for the methodological procedures, the research is a case study, in a quantitative-qualitative approach. It includes a bibliographical survey on the subjects: archive, archivist, information user, user study, among others to compose the literature review that gave theoretical contribution to the research. A field survey was also carried out in the Central Archive of the Municipality of João Pessoa - PB, having as a data collection instrument a questionnaire composed of open and multiple choice questions. Data analysis was based on Bardin's Content Analysis. The results of the analysis made it possible to compose the following characteristics about the users of the archive: people, mostly female, with ages ranging from 21 to 40 years old, having higher education (completed or in progress) and, in relation to work with the organization, the demands of the users of the file, as well as the use of the information, revolve around the administrative functions of the site, although for purposes that relate to the personal life of users (vacations, retirement, service time, reform) or continuation of official acts (issuance of a certificate, request for application, progress of proceedings, copy and annexation, issue an opinion). These demands are related to diverse documentary typologies (processes, functional folders, certificates, live), are answered promptly and users feel extremely satisfied with the file. It is concluded that the aforementioned archive constitutes a unique space, housing a precious collection, which can be used in different spheres, such as: administration, the population, students and researchers, making every investment possible. In addition, it must remain in the search for the continuity of the good services provided to the local community, facing with challenge the challenges that arise to them, in order to always perform with quality the attendance to the demands of its users.