1. Amanda Oliver, Amanda Jamieson, Anne Daniel
Fostering Stakeholder Engagement by Building Archivist Competencies in Technology: A Preliminary Discussion
Amanda Oliver, Amanda Jamieson, Anne Daniel
Abstract
Summary of the Literature
Future Directions
Technological competencies are required for most areas of an archivist’s professional practice. How does an archivist’s level of technological competency affect their engagement with records, researchers, stakeholders and colleagues? What are the core technical knowledge, skills, and abilities that the profession requires in order to engage with our stakeholders in a meaningful way? Archivists must engage with their communities where they are and how they want to receive information, which is increasingly online.
Archivists are traditionally connected to paper- based records and systems and are segregated from IT
There are many studies about the state of archival education at the graduate level, but very little written about professional development opportunities for professional archivists
Purpose
The purpose of this poster is to ignite discussion about archivists and their technological competencies. This line of inquiry stems from our recent research conducted in the area of archival reference services. We administered two surveys to Canadian academic archivists to understand their behaviour while engaged in reference activities. We found that there is no standard approach to reference as many archivists use multiple, institution- specific tools coupled with their own knowledge. Why are archivists not using more sophisticated information management systems and emerging technologies? Is there a link between the level of technological competency and the adoption of technology in archives?
Type additional information or methods here.
Summary of our Previous Research
Discussion Questions
Conclusions
Administered two surveys to 19 participants at 15 Canadian academic archives to understand archivists’ behaviour while performing reference.
Finding aids are the most frequently accessed tool and are most often used in conjunction with other tools.
Limited resources are the primary barrier to the provision of effective reference services.
There is no standard approach to reference as many archivists use institution-specific tools coupled with their own knowledge.
Are archivists technologically competent?
Is lack of technological skill a barrier to adopting new technologies?
Is lack of technological skill an impediment to our professional practice?
Are technological skills necessary for effective professional practice?
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Conclusion 3