Archival Studies: A general guide to an information professional in a local, history museum Presented By: Shelley Maag & Melissa Wehunt

What is an Archive? Archives are the non-current records of individuals, groups, institutions, and governments that contain information of enduring value Photographs, films, video and sound recordings, computer tapes, video and optical disks, letters, diaries, and manuscripts. &feature=related &feature=related

Assumptions of the Profession Motivated and passionate about the subject of their collection Financial obstacles Interdisciplinary field / various educational backgrounds People skills & a desire to teach Feelings of obligation towards preserving our legacy

Archives & Information Science Similarities Place to gather information Organize, catalog and store information Different types and levels Differences First-hand facts, data and evidence Often dependant upon donated materials Specialized patrons

Core Competencies Knowledge of Archival functions  Appraisal and acquisition  Arrangement and description  Preservation  Reference and Access  Outreach and advocacy  Management and administration

Core Competencies Cont. Knowledge of the Profession  History of archives and the archival professional  Records and cultural memory  Ethics and values Contextual Knowledge  Social and cultural systems  Legal and financial systems  Records and information management  Digital records and access systems

Interdisciplinary Knowledge Information Technology Conservation Research Design and Execution History and Historical Methods Management Organizational Theory Liberal Arts and Sciences Allied Professions

Recent Evolution in Archives Increased awareness of necessity and value of archives Increase use due to availability  Organization and access  Internet Digitization  Paper archives not accessible when digital records exist

Outlook & Prospects Historical archives often staffed by History PhDs Faster than average employment growth is expected through (14%) Competition is expected because qualified applicants generally outnumber job openings. Demand for archivists who specialize in electronic records and records management will grow more rapidly than the demand for archivists who specialize in older media formats.

Challenges Not enough jobs for qualified applicants Funding and resources Personal privacy issues Archives are often secondary in museums

Summary  As a field in which most people are satisfied in their jobs and in which demand for qualified professionals is increasing, archives is an excellent career option for SLIM students.

References Archival Standards (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2008 from Guidelines for a graduate program in archival studies. (2003). Retrieved January 29, 2008, from So you want to be an archivist: An overview of the archival profession. (2003). Retrieved January 29, 2008 from What is an archives? (2007). Retrieved January 29, 2008 from V. A. Walsh (1999). Archival census & education needs survey in the United States. Part 3. A*CENSUS: a closer look. Retrieved January 29, 2008 from