Are the Jedi Archives like a public library? Do non-Jedi have access to them?

I have been wondering if the Jedi Archives are to some degree like a public library, and are open to non-Jedi? Does the general populace of the Republic have access to the archives? Or maybe only certain, prominent individuals have access to them like senators, public officials and royalty.

There has been the great debate over who erased Kamino from the files of the archives. Yoda said that this could only have been done by a Jedi. But is this absolutely true. On the one hand it makes sense, but there does exist the probability that this is not true, and just as the Jedi did not think Dooku could be a murderer, it may be wrong in the case of who erased this file

The reason I bring this up is due to the conversation between Dexter Jettster and Obi-Wan.
Dex when talking to Obi-Wan about the Kamino saber dart seemed very familiar with the Jedi Archives, and even commented on the droids that worked in the archives. It seemed from Dex's comments that the Jedi Archives were very well known in that he was very familiar in how they were run.

Does this mean anything? Not sure, but what if the Jedi archives are like the public library to some degree and there are some non-Jedi that have access to the files for various reasons of importance.

I know that the AOTC Visual Dictionary is not canon; however it can give some possible insight to those things which are true from the films.

Here is something I found quite interesting in the Visual dictionary that could shed some light:

Jedi Archives:

Ever since the ancient origins of the Jedi Order, knowledge and its mastery have been vital to the Jedi mission of supporting peace and justice throughout the Republic. The great Archives Library in the Jedi Temple safeguards the accumulated knowledge gathered by millions of individuals over hundreds of generations. It is a repository of seemingly infinite information on every part of the known galaxy and on billions upon billions of its inhabitants. The Archives is the greatest library in the Republic, and an incomparable asset to the Jedi, whether they are acting as diplomats, counselors, or fighters.

Another note:

The Main Hall of the Jedi Archives holds most of its information in holobooks to prevent electronic access by overly curious outsiders. Some of the holobooks date back many thousands of years to the earliest days of the Galactic Republic

Two things of particular interest from these two paragraphs. The Archives are called a ?library? and there exists the possibility of non-Jedi/outsiders having access to the archives, whether authorized or not.

If there is the possibility that some non-Jedi have access to the Jedi Archives, who else might be given access to this great library?


Darth Sin!

 

Either way, I imagine the penalties for not returning a book on time are a little drastic...

And when a Jedi hushes for silence, you WILL be silent.

 

I assumed only Jedi could.

"But master, who could obtain information from the archives? That's impossible, isn't it?"

"Only a Jedi could have erased those files"

 

I think you could compare the Jedi archives to the FBI's confidential files - no outsiders are supposed to have access to them.

 

The Jedi Archives building was certainly spiffier than any FBI building I could imagine.

 

I don't think the general populace would allowed in the archives. When we see the archives we only see Jedi in there.

Allowing general people in there would also cause security concerns.

I always felt that Yoda's line 'Only a Jedi could erase those files' was telling Obi-Wan who has access to them - only Jedi.

 

As for Dex knowing what he did, maybe he and Obi-Wan have discussed the archives before?

 

Or maybe Dex just understands how any analysis droids works. Not just those in the Jedi Archives.

 

Dex seems like a very well-travelled guy. He could be familiar with similar methods and droids.

 

Given that the Jedi are very choosy about who they train (although not choosy enough!), I would very much doubt that they would allow non-Jedi to learn everything they know about the Force by allowing them access to their library.

 

I don't imagine many outsiders were allowed into the Jedi Temple, let alone the Archives. Dexter seemed to have a more than just casual friendship (I almost said relationship, but I think that might have given the wrong impression ) with Obi-wan, and it is probably safe to assume Dex had worked with/for him before. Perhaps there was another case they were both involved in that required the use of analysis droids? Unfortunately, the novelization doesn't go into much detail about the relationship between the to, which I found disappointing, since those stories are really why I read the books anyway.

The real question might be does the general public even know the archives exist? If few people are allowed in the Temple, I don't imagine many non-Jedi would know about it, let alone be interested in what it contained.

Cheers.

P.S. I'm new to these boards, so hello to everyone!

 

Maybe they make exceptions for the pizza delivery service.

[image=http://www.sgtfretsurfer.com/Grilled-Sarlacc/s/i/stickers-library.jpg]
Man, where´s that pizzaboy ?
I already wonder if they got my message !
No tip this time !!!

 

The information from the Visual Dictionary makes me believe that the Jedi Archives were well known even to non-Jedi, even if they did not have access into them. Dex's knowledge of the type of droids used their makes me believe the archives were well known.

Also, the Archives contain more than just knowledge of the Force, but also about the galaxy as a whole. the description below confirms this.

Maybe only Jedi have access to the archives, but what types of information contained there is well-known. You get the idea that this is the greatest library in the galaxy.

I wonder do the Jedi give tours to non-Jedi?

Lastly, I wonder are there any prominent public officials that might be given limited access, like the Supreme Chancellor and various Senators?

Ever since the ancient origins of the Jedi Order, knowledge and its mastery have been vital to the Jedi mission of supporting peace and justice throughout the Republic. The great Archives Library in the Jedi Temple safeguards the accumulated knowledge gathered by millions of individuals over hundreds of generations. It is a repository of seemingly infinite information on every part of the known galaxy and on billions upon billions of its inhabitants. The Archives is the greatest library in the Republic, and an incomparable asset to the Jedi, whether they are acting as diplomats, counselors, or fighters.


Darth Sin!

 

I doubt just anyone could use it, like someone said it would be like seeing the FBI's stuff.

Perhaps Dexter just knows about the droids from Obi-Wan.

 

Dexter never says anything that leads us to believe he's ever been in the Archives. He merely makes general sweeping statements about droids in general.

 

You are correct, Dexter has likely never been inside the archives, but he is very knowledgeable of them from his conversation with Obi-Wan.

Again, let me reiterate that the archives do not just contain information about the Jedi and the Force. It contains information about the galaxy as a whole.

The fact that Kamino had a record in the files shows that they contained more than Jedi information, but information about the various planetary systems.

Dex's knowledge of the archives is in part I believe due to the fact that he lives on Coruscant, and many Jedi frequent his diner just as we saw with Obi-Wan.

But given the information the archives contain, it is quite possible that the Jedi extract information from the files to give to non-Jedi, for instance to individuals like the Supreme Chancellor.


Darth Sin!

 

Just because "only Jedi can erase those files", doesn't mean that "only Jedi can READ those files".

But my impression all along was that only Jedi were allowed. I'm sure there were many public libraries on Coruscant and elsewhere for the public to use.

 

I agree. Yes, there is information in there relating to topics besides the Jedi and the Force, but that information certainly must also be available to non-Jedi at other institutions, databases, or whatever. Just as there must be information elsewhere that is not in the Jedi Archives. Also, does saying that the information was gathered by millions of individuals mean that they weren't all Jedi? I mean, there were about 10,000 Jedi at that time alone, and the Order had been serving the Republic for 1000 generations. That's a lot of Jedi!