1. Archives in Alcoholics Anonymous

2. AA Archivists
What are they about? Establishing, and verifying facts (not truth that’s for philosophers) through the collection of relevant evidence, cross referencing that evidence and where appropriate, drawing conclusions from those historical facts.

3. AA Archives Work
What is archives work? – turning one form of information into another for purposes of creating a factually based document or display.
E.g. Collecting electronically recorded interviews : Creating a database from that (paper or electronically) then producing readable stories; decision enhancing tools or displays!

4. Archives Work Conservation Do Use - plastic covered paper clips;
“Never do anything to a paper or electronic document that you can’t undo”
Do Use - plastic covered paper clips;
Melanex plastic sleeves (they don’t sweat the ink off the page);
acid free boxes;
acid washing of significant books;
archival tape
All can be obtained from “Archival supplies”

5. Conservation Don’t use – staples; - hole punches; - metal paper clips;
“Never do anything to a paper or electronic document that you can’t undo”
Don’t use – staples;
- hole punches;
- metal paper clips;
- ordinary plastic sleeves; most of all don’t laminate an original document – it changes it from a paper document to a plastic one (changing the integrity of the document); sellotape

6. Preservation Collect Store Catalogue Use
Archives Work
Preservation Collect Store Catalogue Use

7. Preservation Collecting –
A plan – set a target in terms of what; how; in what form; area to be covered; necessary equipment; storage; approach
Resourcing the plan – from where; a group to assist; cost in terms of money equipment and personnel

8. Preservation Storage Conditions Required – Free from dust and dirt
Free from UV rays
Free from damp
Free from infestation
Acid free storage boxes

9. Preservation
Repository (storage only) vs Archive ( a ‘worked’ collection of documents) Catalogue – KIS; ‘Chunk’ it – do one area at a time e.g. minutes; easy to set up and use with different levels of access –– 1 = open access to 4 = confidential Search - every catalogued item should be listed on a separate document

10. Some Archival options Archivist stores all material @ home (1)
who has adequate storage space that meets reasonable storage requirements.
Question prior to appointment – if you are taking charge of an archive do he/she know how to look after it?
Access to archive in someone’s home – an issue?

11. Some Archival options Archivist stores all material @ home (2)
Within agreed time frame agree a catalogue plan - Weeding out!
Who owns the Archives? – a letter signed by archivist plus next of kin and I/G Chair, can resolve ownership issues
Expenses could be incurred in terms of photocopying
correct storage boxes; and other equipment

12. Some Archival options
Pay for an External Storage Facility on a regular long term basis
Cost vs Value for money - Repository vs Archive
Types of storage & costs – rooms vs room with racks;
Conditions of storage – the redundant resource - height?
Working environment – is there room to work there?
Availability of access? Keys?
Costs of accessories – stackable boxes OR racking
Weeding out (QU – what is relevant to the history of our I/G) saves space & perhaps money.
Only keep one of each document – but look after it