What Do Archivists at Libraries Do and What Training Do They Need?

When pursuing a master's degree in Library and Information Sciences, one of the many specialized tracks is the Archivist program. This track provides a combination of general requirements and specialized classes that prepare students for the unique tasks archivists perform in libraries and archives.

Specialized Training for Archivists

After completing a master's degree, many archivists carry specific training and background, combining both education and real-world experience. For instance, a friend of mine who worked at the UC Berkeley Bancroft Library had extensive experience with rare books. She worked for several rare book dealers before obtaining her master's degree in the Archivist specialty. This combination of experience and education is crucial for success in the field.

The Role of Archivists

An archivist's primary responsibility is to collect, preserve, and manage historical and important records for future research and use. This often involves a process known as archival processing, which includes three essential tasks:

Preservation of Materials

Archivists work to store materials in ways that ensure their long-term preservation. Unlike standard library collections, archival collections are often stored in ways that do not support long-term physical preservation. Archivists use methods such as boxing, filing folders, and photograph sleeves to ensure the longevity of the materials.

Arrangement

The next step involves arranging the materials in a manner that reflects their original context. This process is known as original order, which means that the materials are arranged as they were kept by their creator. This approach helps researchers understand the chronological and contextual relationships between the various pieces of material.

Description

Finally, archivists create detailed guides, known as finding aids, to help researchers locate and understand the materials. These guides provide descriptions of the collections, making them accessible to scholars and researchers.

Education and Background for Archivists

To meet the needs of the archival field, archivists often pursue both bachelors and masters degrees. Specific fields of study, such as History, Library Science, Archival Studies, or Public Administration, are popular choices. For example, history degrees often include courses that deepen an archivist's expertise in a specific era, while archival studies degrees cover topics like advanced archiving, preservation, curation, library and information services, applied technology, and archiving.

Conclusion

Archivists play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and accessibility of historical records. Through their combined academic background and practical experience, they ensure that valuable documents and artifacts are preserved for future generations to study and appreciate. The specialized training archivists receive, including courses in archival processing, arrangement, and description, is essential for the preservation of these valuable archives.