This survey of Latin American archivology is for the year 1954, together with some information regarding 1953, which was not included in “Latin American Archivology, 1951–1953” (see below).

The outstanding feature of this period is the attention which is being given throughout Latin America to the improvement of the housing of the archives, which has been a great problem for many years. During 1954 Ecuador and the Dominican Republic dedicated and occupied new buildings especially constructed for their archives, which embody all features necessary for adequate services. In Guatemala construction of a new building was continued. Projects and plans for appropriate buildings were considered in Haiti and Mexico. Extensive remodeling and improvements were effected in Brazil and Paraguay. These activities have served to place the archives in a much better position to carry on the tasks appropriate to these important cultural centers.

Consideration was also given to equipping the new buildings as well as some of the old ones with photographic laboratories, including microfilm and photostat, and with equipment for lamination and binding. Some concrete results were accomplished in these matters, but mostly it was projects under consideration, awaiting funds for the execution.