The Office of City Clerk Archives and Records Management Division (the "City Archives") develops and implements citywide policy and procedures for the systematic management and disposition of all the municipal government records of Boston.

As per statute, chapter 68, section 6 of the Acts of the Commonwealth of 1988 these records include those of "any city department, agency, board, office, commission or public corporation."

The City Archives preserves Boston's municipal archival records by means of facilities, programs and procedures for physical accommodation, security, environmental control and document conservation.

The City Archives makes Boston's municipal archival records accessible to the public by means of document finding aids, reference procedures and the promotion of public use, and ensures ready access to essential evidence that documents the rights of citizens, the actions of municipal officials and Boston's historical municipal experience.

The City Archives is a public trust, which plays a key role in fostering effective and responsible government through management of the lifecycle of records and through sustained access to historically valuable municipal records. These records enable people to inspect what Boston municipal government has done, allow officials and agencies to review their actions, and help citizens hold government accountable. These records are rich and varied sources of information used to answer questions about the past of the City, the nation and society.