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The Archival Profession
Archives
Archives are the noncurrent records of individuals, groups,
institutions, and governments that contain information of enduring
value. Formats represented in the modern archival repository include
photographs, films, video and sound recordings, computer tapes,
and video and optical disks, as well as the more traditional unpublished
letters, diaries, and other manuscripts.Archival records are the
products of everyday activity. Researchers use them both for their
administrative value and for purposes other than those for which
they were created. For example, Native Americans may use archival
records to establish legal claims to land and privileges guaranteed
by federal and state governments; medical researchers utilize records
to study patterns of diseases; authors use archives to acquire a
feel for the people and times about which they are writing; historians
and genealogists rely on archival sources to analyze past events
to reconstruct family histories; and businesses use records to improve
their public relations and to promote new products. In short, archives
benefit nearly everyone, even those who have never directly used
them.
The Work of Archivists
The primary task of the archivist is to establish and maintain
control, both physical and, intellectual, over records of enduring
value. Archivists select records, a process that requires an understanding
of the historical context in which the records were created, the
uses for which they were intended, and their relationships to other
sources. The archivist then arranges and describes the records,
in accordance with accepted standards and practices; ensures the
long-term preservation of collections; assists researchers; and
plans and directs exhibitions, publications, and other outreach
programs to broaden the use of collections and to enlist support
for archival programs. All archivists, especially those with administrative
responsibilities, need to understand and apply the principles of
sound management to their work.The work of the archivist is related
to, but distinct from, that of certain other professionals. The
librarian and the archivist, for example, both collect, preserve,
and make accessible materials for research, but significant differences
exist in the way these materials are arranged, described, and used.
The records manager and the archivist are also closely allied. The
records manager controls vast quantities of institutional records,
most of which will eventually be destroyed, while the archivist
is concerned with relatively small quantities of records deemed
important enough to be retained for an extended period. The museum
curator and the archivist are associated. The museum curator collects,
studies, and interprets mostly three-dimensional objects, while
the archivist works with paper, film, and electronic records. Finally,
the archivist and the historian have had a longstanding relationship;
the archivist identifies, preserves, and makes the records accessible
for use, while the historian uses archival records for research.
Archival Repositories
Archival repositories are as diverse as the institutions and
people they serve. They range from large, well-funded operations
providing a variety of archival services to limited activities dependent
upon a part-time volunteer staff. There is also substantial variation
in the nature and scope of repositories and in their structure and
organizational placement within the parent institution. Archives
are located in federal, state, and local governments; schools, colleges,
and universities; religious institutions; businesses; hospitals;
museums; labor unions; and historical societies—wherever it
is important to retain the records of people or organizations.
Qualifications for Employment
Individuals can prepare for a career in archives through a variety
of educational programs. Most entry-level positions require an undergraduate
and a graduate degree, together with archival coursework and a practicum.
Although archivists have a variety of undergraduate majors, most
receive graduate degrees in history or library science. Some have
degrees in both fields. Other useful specializations include public
administration and political science. A Ph.D. is often preferred
for higher ranking positions in academic institutions. Particular
knowledge of certain subjects may be important for work in archives
that have specialized topical emphases. Training and experience
in conducting research in primary and secondary sources are also
helpful.The number and content of archival education offerings,
especially multi-course programs, has continued to expand in recent
years, and a few institutions now offer master's degrees in archival
studies. Graduate archival programs may offer a variety of courses
that include basic archival theory, methods, and/or practice of
appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation, reference services,
outreach, legal concerns, and ethics. In addition, programs may
offer courses that include records management, aspects of library
and information science, management, and historical and research
methods.
Salaries and Benefits
Salaries, benefits, and working conditions vary greatly, depending
on the size and nature of the employing institution. Most government
archivists have civil service status, and archivists in academic
institutions often have faculty status. Archivists sometimes begin
their careers on grant-funded projects; however, many eventually
achieve long-term job stability. Almost universally, archivists
express a high degree of professional and personal satisfaction
with their work.
SAA Directory of Archival
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