Since beginning Archives (LIS-658), I have a much deeper understanding of what archives are and are not. The ‘nots’ were what I found most surprising. Like others with limited archives experience to this point, I had a very limited view of archives and archivists. I’m afraid it fed into many of the stereotypical pop culture view of archivists and what they do. With better understanding of the job, however, came a renewed excitement to pursue it as a career.
Some of the top takeaways that immediately come to mind are:
1. Archivists do not keep everything, nor do they want to. It is never about hoarding the past. Instead, it is a thoughtful and diligent process that requires an eye toward the future and what will one day be of historical importance.
2. Digitizing collections is not as simple as scanning things onto a computer. It requires a great deal of prep work and a whole lot of man hours.
3. The ability to create scope and content is an important skill. The balance of including all pertinent information in the most concise way is truly a skill to be honed.
4. Engagement is a big part of advocacy and sharing the importance of the collections and it’s archivists to the community.
5. Digitization NOT Digitalization.
The list could go on and on. While the class answered many questions and revealed a great deal about archival work, it showed me that I have even more to learn. (It’s one of those “the more you learn, the more you realize you have to learn” scenarios.). Moving forward, I hope to continue to learn and engage with archivists for a deeper understanding in all areas of the field.
I have a lot of experience in marketing and journalism, so I would love to work closer with tying that with archives. The more people are engaged with their local repositories, the more they will see their significance to communities and the importance of supporting them. Since I am working in marketing at a library which houses a small archives, I hope to be able to work with the archivist to bring more attention to its value to the university community.
I know I will need more hands on work with curating and appraising collections. Judging future historical value seems intimidating, though I know the more one practices the work, the easier it will become. In hand with this would be further practice of the processing of archival materials. I definitely need to get a lot faster at it!
Perhaps most importantly, I would like to learn the practice of digitizing collections and further study of digital collections. Dr. Lawrimore recommended pursuing the Society of American Archivists’ Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) Certificate.This is something I hope to work toward after I graduate in December. I would rather start sooner than later, so if the opportunity allows, perhaps it would work out.
Digital archiving and digitization efforts have really peaked my interests. I believe it is safe to say that most who pursue archives have a shared love of history and the need of preservation for the future. What many (myself included) are surprised to learn, however, is how closely this history driven career has become intertwined with technology and will continue to do so.
So, while I love history and historical museums and see the need for continued physical archives, I also see the value of the access technology provides collections. The ability to access collections digitally assists not just with distance barriers, but also with approachability. While professional researchers may be used to entering reading rooms and searching physical collections, the process can be intimidating to hobbyists or aspiring historians. There is something to be said for becoming familiar with a repository and its holdings before actually visiting. Users can feel more confident in approaching when they know exactly what they are looking for.
As technology advances, so too will its uses in the field of archives. It will be important to stay up on trends, uses, and potential uses in order for archives and archivists to stay relevant in this ever evolving society. Understanding born digital materials in the scope of archives will become increasingly important. Especially considering the rate such information increases on a daily basis.
Taking into consideration the need to adapt rather rapidly, it does cause pause when coupled with the overall lack of conformity in training within the industry as a whole. Eira Tansey’s article The Landscape of Archival Employment: A Study of Professional Archivist Job Advertisements, 2006-2014 pointed out the inconsistencies of requirements and training within the field. This could cause serious confusion and complications when it comes to digitally preserving information for the future. How and where digital information are stored greatly affect its viability in the future. Proper metadata usage for various versions of information becomes critical. Being able to view the versions of a scientific experiments or bill passing through congress will offer future researchers insight into thought processes and decision making, important aspects of history.
This profession that has been around for millennia is still just as important and modern in 2020 as when the first manuscripts were first tucked away for safe keeping. It is amazing to see its evolution and how it will continue into the future.
I truly enjoyed the understanding LIS-658 gave. As far as the course experience, I do not think I would do anything differently. I do wish there was more time to spend going deeper into each module. That would give an opportunity to do more hands-on assignments and encounter more scenarios. It would be great if the course were two separate ones, offering an introduction to archives and a longer look into the hands-on skills required — almost like a lecture class and accompanying lab.
I look forward to volunteering when I can at local archives and cultural heritage institutions and getting the DAS certificate. I am excited about not just the career prospects it will offer, but the opportunity to work within a field I’ve been looking at for years. I cannot wait to get started.
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