Since the decentralisation laws of 1983, the departemental archives have been a service of the Tarn department, and their director, under the authority of the Ministry of Culture, exercises scientific and technical control over public archives. The departmental archives are the historical memory of the department. They are responsible for the scientific and technical control of public archives, collecting and sorting, classifying, preserving, communicating to government departments and the public, and promoting the cultural value of the documentary collections they hold. The Departmental Archives also receive private collections through donations, deposits, bequests and acquisitions.