The District Notebooks are a unique and valuable source of historical, political, administrative, ethnographical and anthropological information. They were kept at district administrative stations (bomas). Entries were made in these notebooks by district officials on a wide range of administrative and historical subjects. In many cases they contain the only written sources of ethnic histories. As well as recording tribal and cultural history, the District Notebooks are sources of the history of the administration. During the period when Northern Rhodesia was ruled by the British South Africa Company, posts of the central administration with a District Commissioner in charge were established throughout the country. Tthe basis of the organisation was stabilised when the British Government took over control of Northern Rhodesia in1924. In the rural areas the District Commissioner was the sole agent of the executive, the chiefs having been subordinated.

In 1929 the policy of indirect rule was introduced by the passing of the Native Authority Ordinance and the Native Courts Ordinance. The general effect was to preserve the outward form of the indigenous systems but to undermine the authority of the chiefs by making them dependent on the Administrative Officer. The Native Authorities were entitled to issue minor administrative orders whilst the Native Courts obtained jurisdiction in minor criminal and civil matters. Additional responsibility was given in 1936 when Native Treasuries were set up, so founding a form of embryonic rural local government.
In short, the District Commissioner and his staff were often the sole representatives of the central government. They were magistrates, local authorities and licensing authorities, and were responsible for the maintenance of law and order and prison control.

The District Notebooks are the most valued and most consulted collection at the National Archives, covering the whole of Zambia, and were therefore chosen as the first collection of historical documents to be digitized.