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ARCHIVAL THEORY AND PRACTICE Syllabus |
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Course Overview: This is an introductory study of archival theory and practice. In addition to learning principles from the archival profession, we will observe and implement effective and efficient ways of storing, accessing, and selectively preserving data. The theme of this course is that the effective archivist takes a proactive rather than custodial stance towards each of the aspects of the professional work. The guiding principle of the course is that application is more important than content memorization. My goal as your instructor is to serve you by seeing to it that each of you masters the irreducible minimum of content you must have to be knowledgeable about archives and archival work.
You don't have to take a course at an institution of higher education to learn the theory and practice of being a terrific archivist. Most archivists who had formal education would probably tell you that there were one or two teachers that were invaluable--and that they probably could have learned as much by working with those individuals, one on one. (That was my experience: though my two masters degrees were from a program that was highly regarded at the time, most of what was truly valuable was taught by two instructors who had real jobs during the day: Frank Burke of the National Archives and Karen Garlick of the Library of Congress.) You could spare yourself great expense of time and money by teaching yourself the basics of archival work. Supplement your reading and study with practical experience as an apprentice with an accomplished archivist whom you respect and who is respected in the archival community, and you can jump-start ahead of students who leave college and graduate school unemployed and saddled with huge debt.
Given the current work restrictions, some people are finding this course a useful option while sheltering in place. One person recently asked, "I don't see any links to lectures. I see the lecture notes and the syllabus only. What am I missing?" The answer is that this course can provide a good boost in building or reinforcing a strong foundation for a career in archival work. The notes are all there is--but they are quite detailed and voluminous, for the entire 11-week course. In addition to the fact that presenting a semester of video recordings of class session would use a ton of bandwidth (not viable for a free service like this, since a single lecture would use 6 GB of data), the intent of this course is for you to self-teach.
The point of this Archivist's Tools and Tips course is for you to do the assigned readings and read the hundred-plus pages of lecture notes (each one beginning with a limerick!) and absorb them so that (as much as possible) the mental processing is all occurring in your own brain. We all know that the teacher always learns more than the student--so why not be both! What you will read on the pages of this site will provide the structure, and a track to roll on.
Because you will be teaching yourself with this free online version of this course, it would bode well for you to supplement your learning with hands-on archival work on a collection. Find yourself an archives nearby where you can volunteer--they will be glad to have you! And, if you can't go far nowadays, see about applying your skills to organizing your own family records and/or business archives.
The course is useful for anyone who is considering a career in archival work, any budding historian, and anyone interested in the history of providing access to historically significant materials. The tools and approaches taught in this course should be useful to anyone and everyone who aims at making a difference in today's information age. The course helps you with workforce preparation.
You don't have to take a course at an institution of higher education to learn the theory and practice of being a terrific archivist. Most archivists who had formal education would probably tell you that there were one or two teachers that were invaluable--and that they probably could have learned as much by working with those individuals, one on one. (That was my experience: though my two masters degrees were from a program that was highly regarded at the time, most of what was truly valuable was taught by two instructors who had real jobs during the day: Frank Burke of the National Archives and Karen Garlick of the Library of Congress.) You could spare yourself great expense of time and money by teaching yourself the basics of archival work. Supplement your reading and study with practical experience as an apprentice with an accomplished archivist whom you respect and who is respected in the archival community, and you can jump-start ahead of students who leave college and graduate school unemployed and saddled with huge debt.
Given the current work restrictions, some people are finding this course a useful option while sheltering in place. One person recently asked, "I don't see any links to lectures. I see the lecture notes and the syllabus only. What am I missing?" The answer is that this course can provide a good boost in building or reinforcing a strong foundation for a career in archival work. The notes are all there is--but they are quite detailed and voluminous, for the entire 11-week course. In addition to the fact that presenting a semester of video recordings of class session would use a ton of bandwidth (not viable for a free service like this, since a single lecture would use 6 GB of data), the intent of this course is for you to self-teach.
The point of this Archivist's Tools and Tips course is for you to do the assigned readings and read the hundred-plus pages of lecture notes (each one beginning with a limerick!) and absorb them so that (as much as possible) the mental processing is all occurring in your own brain. We all know that the teacher always learns more than the student--so why not be both! What you will read on the pages of this site will provide the structure, and a track to roll on.
Because you will be teaching yourself with this free online version of this course, it would bode well for you to supplement your learning with hands-on archival work on a collection. Find yourself an archives nearby where you can volunteer--they will be glad to have you! And, if you can't go far nowadays, see about applying your skills to organizing your own family records and/or business archives.
The course is useful for anyone who is considering a career in archival work, any budding historian, and anyone interested in the history of providing access to historically significant materials. The tools and approaches taught in this course should be useful to anyone and everyone who aims at making a difference in today's information age. The course helps you with workforce preparation.
Course Texts:
O'Toole, James. Understanding Archives and Manuscripts. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 1990. 79 p.
Yakel, Elizabeth. Starting An Archives. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 1994. 99 p.
Also useful:
Hunter, Gregory S. Developing and Maintaining Practical Archives: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians. 3rd edition. Neal-Schuman, June 8, 2017. ISBN 978-0-8389-1277-5. 320 pages.
O'Toole, James. Understanding Archives and Manuscripts. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 1990. 79 p.
Yakel, Elizabeth. Starting An Archives. Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 1994. 99 p.
Also useful:
Hunter, Gregory S. Developing and Maintaining Practical Archives: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians. 3rd edition. Neal-Schuman, June 8, 2017. ISBN 978-0-8389-1277-5. 320 pages.
ARCHIVAL THEORY AND
PRACTICE
Lecture notes by Todd Ellison. Copyright Todd Ellison 2015. Permission is granted for use, but not for sale or any commercial or monetary gain, and you must link to this website.
Lecture notes by Todd Ellison. Copyright Todd Ellison 2015. Permission is granted for use, but not for sale or any commercial or monetary gain, and you must link to this website.
1 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTIONS 1 AND 2
A. Introduction to archives
B. The language of archives, and the nature of this discourse community
C. Assignment/practicum: subscribe to the Archives and Archivists list on the Internet
D. Readings
: O'Toole, introduction and ch. 1--Recording, Keeping and Using Information
Yakel, ch. 1--”Introduction: Three Archival Collections”
Yakel, ch. 3--”Establishing an Archives.”
F. Gerald Ham, "Archival Strategies for the Post-Custodial Era," American Archivist 44 (Summer 1981): 207-216.
Also, read for at least a half hour on an archives or library list and viewing several archives' Internet pages. Visit a number of archives' web sites.
2
A. The nature and history of documentary sources
B. Data transmission modes; regional and national information systems
C. Data storage modes; trends in document information systems
D. Readings:
O'Toole, ch. 2--"The History of Archives and the Archives Profession."
3 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 3
A. Distinctives of archives, libraries, museums and records centers
B. History of archives and the archival profession
C. Assignment: take yourself on a tour of a professionally-managed archives
D. Readings:
O'Toole, ch. 3--"The Archivist's Perspective" & ch. 4--"The Archivist's Task."
Yakel, ch. 5--”Collection Development, Appraisal, and the Initial Stages of Archival Control.”
{recommended optional additional reading to browse:
F. Gerald Ham, Selecting and Appraising Archives and Manuscripts (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 1993).
Ellis, Judith, ed. Keeping Archives . 2nd edition. Port Melbourne: D. W. Thorpe in association with The Australian Society of Archivists, Inc., 1993. Ch. 5--"Managing the Acquisition Process," ch. 6--"Appraisal and Disposal," and ch. 7--"Accessioning."
4 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 4
A. Collection development
B. Archival appraisal
C. Archival accessioning
D. Readings:
Yakel, ch. 6--”Increasing Control over Archival Records: Arrangement and Description.”
{recommended optional additional reading to browse:
Ellis, ch. 8--"Arrangement and Description" and ch. 9--"Finding Aids."
E. Assignment: critically evaluate an archival text or article
5 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 5
A. Archival arrangement and description
B. Readings:
Yakel, ch. 7--"Reference and Access.”
{recommended optional additional reading to browse:)
Ellis, ch. 10--"Access and Reference Services."
C. Assignment: begin work on your draft of a plan for you to process an archival collection
6 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 6
A. Researcher access to documentary sources; archival researcher strategies
B. Reference service in archives
C. Readings:
Trudy Peterson, "An Archival Bestiary,” American Archivist 54 (Spring 1991): 192-205.
Yakel, ch. 9--"The Archival Facility and Preservation.”
{recommended optional additional readings to browse:
Ellis, chapter 3--"Preservation.”
Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler, Preserving Archives and Manuscripts (1992 ed.), ch. 1-6.
Barbara Appelbaum, Guide to Environmental Protection of Collections (Madison, CT: Sound View Press, 1991).
D. Assignments:
(1) Give someone an oral report on an archival problem
(2) Work on your draft of a collection processing scheme
7 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 7
A. Archival preservation
B. Readings:
"Brave New Library,” Washington Post, May 26, 1991.
Ellis, ch. 12--"Using Computers and Document Imaging."
David Bearman, "Automated Access to Archival Information: Accessing Systems," American Archivist 42 (1979): 179-190.}
8 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 8
A. Archival automation
B. Readings:
Michael J. Crawford, "Copyright, Unpublished Manuscript Records, and the Archivist," American Archivist 46 (Spring 1983): 135-147.
Society of American Archivists, Code of Ethics.
{recommended optional additional reading to browse:
Ellis, chapter 4--"Legal Responsibilities and Issues."}
9 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 9
A. Legal issues in archives
B. Archival ethics
C. Readings:
Yakel, ch. 2--”Planning for Your Archival Program,” and ch. 4--”Administration.”
{recommended optional additional readings to browse:
Ellis, ch. 2--"Getting Organised” and ch. 13--"Managing Records in Special Formats."
Virginia White, ed., Grant Proposals that Succeeded (NY: Plenum Press, 1983).}
E. Assignments:
(1) Write a memo and give someone an oral report on an archival management concern.
(2) Write a justification for an archival program.
10 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 10
A. Archival management principles and techniques
B. Records management and archives
C. Funding and archives
D. Readings:
Lisa Gubernich, "Making History Pay,” Forbes, May 13, 1991, p. 132.
John A. Fleckner, "`Dear Mary Jane'‘ Some Reflections on Being an Archivist,” America Archivist 54 (Winter 1991): 8-13.
Yakel, ch. 8--"Outreach."
{recommended optional additional readings to browse:
Ellis, ch. 11--"User Education and Public Relations" and ch. 14--"Created and Compiled Documentation Programs."}
11 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 11
A. Archival careers
B. Personal applications of what you've learned about archival theory and practice
C. Archival outreach
A. Introduction to archives
B. The language of archives, and the nature of this discourse community
C. Assignment/practicum: subscribe to the Archives and Archivists list on the Internet
D. Readings
: O'Toole, introduction and ch. 1--Recording, Keeping and Using Information
Yakel, ch. 1--”Introduction: Three Archival Collections”
Yakel, ch. 3--”Establishing an Archives.”
F. Gerald Ham, "Archival Strategies for the Post-Custodial Era," American Archivist 44 (Summer 1981): 207-216.
Also, read for at least a half hour on an archives or library list and viewing several archives' Internet pages. Visit a number of archives' web sites.
2
A. The nature and history of documentary sources
B. Data transmission modes; regional and national information systems
C. Data storage modes; trends in document information systems
D. Readings:
O'Toole, ch. 2--"The History of Archives and the Archives Profession."
3 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 3
A. Distinctives of archives, libraries, museums and records centers
B. History of archives and the archival profession
C. Assignment: take yourself on a tour of a professionally-managed archives
D. Readings:
O'Toole, ch. 3--"The Archivist's Perspective" & ch. 4--"The Archivist's Task."
Yakel, ch. 5--”Collection Development, Appraisal, and the Initial Stages of Archival Control.”
{recommended optional additional reading to browse:
F. Gerald Ham, Selecting and Appraising Archives and Manuscripts (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 1993).
Ellis, Judith, ed. Keeping Archives . 2nd edition. Port Melbourne: D. W. Thorpe in association with The Australian Society of Archivists, Inc., 1993. Ch. 5--"Managing the Acquisition Process," ch. 6--"Appraisal and Disposal," and ch. 7--"Accessioning."
4 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 4
A. Collection development
B. Archival appraisal
C. Archival accessioning
D. Readings:
Yakel, ch. 6--”Increasing Control over Archival Records: Arrangement and Description.”
{recommended optional additional reading to browse:
Ellis, ch. 8--"Arrangement and Description" and ch. 9--"Finding Aids."
E. Assignment: critically evaluate an archival text or article
5 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 5
A. Archival arrangement and description
B. Readings:
Yakel, ch. 7--"Reference and Access.”
{recommended optional additional reading to browse:)
Ellis, ch. 10--"Access and Reference Services."
C. Assignment: begin work on your draft of a plan for you to process an archival collection
6 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 6
A. Researcher access to documentary sources; archival researcher strategies
B. Reference service in archives
C. Readings:
Trudy Peterson, "An Archival Bestiary,” American Archivist 54 (Spring 1991): 192-205.
Yakel, ch. 9--"The Archival Facility and Preservation.”
{recommended optional additional readings to browse:
Ellis, chapter 3--"Preservation.”
Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler, Preserving Archives and Manuscripts (1992 ed.), ch. 1-6.
Barbara Appelbaum, Guide to Environmental Protection of Collections (Madison, CT: Sound View Press, 1991).
D. Assignments:
(1) Give someone an oral report on an archival problem
(2) Work on your draft of a collection processing scheme
7 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 7
A. Archival preservation
B. Readings:
"Brave New Library,” Washington Post, May 26, 1991.
Ellis, ch. 12--"Using Computers and Document Imaging."
David Bearman, "Automated Access to Archival Information: Accessing Systems," American Archivist 42 (1979): 179-190.}
8 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 8
A. Archival automation
B. Readings:
Michael J. Crawford, "Copyright, Unpublished Manuscript Records, and the Archivist," American Archivist 46 (Spring 1983): 135-147.
Society of American Archivists, Code of Ethics.
{recommended optional additional reading to browse:
Ellis, chapter 4--"Legal Responsibilities and Issues."}
9 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 9
A. Legal issues in archives
B. Archival ethics
C. Readings:
Yakel, ch. 2--”Planning for Your Archival Program,” and ch. 4--”Administration.”
{recommended optional additional readings to browse:
Ellis, ch. 2--"Getting Organised” and ch. 13--"Managing Records in Special Formats."
Virginia White, ed., Grant Proposals that Succeeded (NY: Plenum Press, 1983).}
E. Assignments:
(1) Write a memo and give someone an oral report on an archival management concern.
(2) Write a justification for an archival program.
10 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 10
A. Archival management principles and techniques
B. Records management and archives
C. Funding and archives
D. Readings:
Lisa Gubernich, "Making History Pay,” Forbes, May 13, 1991, p. 132.
John A. Fleckner, "`Dear Mary Jane'‘ Some Reflections on Being an Archivist,” America Archivist 54 (Winter 1991): 8-13.
Yakel, ch. 8--"Outreach."
{recommended optional additional readings to browse:
Ellis, ch. 11--"User Education and Public Relations" and ch. 14--"Created and Compiled Documentation Programs."}
11 CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTES FOR COURSE SECTION 11
A. Archival careers
B. Personal applications of what you've learned about archival theory and practice
C. Archival outreach
