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Advances in technology have transformed the methods of historians and other archival researchers, a change that carries both benefits and consequences. In just a few years, advances in technology have transformed the methods of historians and other archival researchers. Productivity has improved dramatically, costs have dropped and a world distinguished by solo practitioners has become collaborative. In response, developers are producing an array of computerized methods of analysis, creating a new quantitative science.
SABC Radio Archives wrote: Archivists and the power they have! News & Actuality Archivist Nare Monyai: " #Archivists wield substantial power over records in the way they select, appraise and shape the collections they work with which is fundamental to how experiences, narratives and memory are structured."
A delegation of librarians, archivists, and other information workers to Palestine in June/July 2013 (RT @Librarians2Pal: We've launched our crowdfunding campaign. How can archivists and library workers in Palestine and other parts of the world connect as individuals and within a larger context of ongoing colonization and imposed isolation? This summer, we will begin to find out. A group of 20 librarians and archivists from the US, Canada, UK, and Sweden will travel to Palestine to meet with our colleagues in library- and archive-related projects and institutions and apply our experience in the form of skillshares and other types of joint work.
Website here: http://librarians2palestine.wordpress.com/
by Jennifer Wright: Smithsonian Institution Archives announces its use of Archive-It to crawl websites. In September 2012, the Smithsonian Institution Archives began using Archive-It, a service of the Internet Archive, to crawl its almost 250 websites. Archive-It is "a web archiving service to harvest and preserve digital collections" that is used by more than 200 organizations.
This is exciting news for us as archivists. While Archive-It uses the same software for crawling and viewing websites as we had been using for the past three years, we have been plagued with hardware issues and have not been able to keep our software up-to-date. We now have access to software updates as soon as they are available. The processes of setting up a crawl and reviewing it afterwards are also more user-friendly with Archive-It. In addition, we now have the benefit of support from both the Archive-It staff and the larger Archive-It user community for those times when we just cannot figure out why a crawl is not working.
(http://www.tombouctoumanuscripts.org)
Huma (Institute for humanities in Africa)
University of Cape Town
Since the start of this week there are reports about the destruction of library buildings and book collections in Timbuktu. It sounds as if the written heritage of the town went up in flames. According to our information this is not the case at all. The custodians of the libraries worked quietly throughout the rebel occupation of Timbuktu to ensure the safety of their materials. A limited number of items have been damaged or stolen, the infrastructure neglected and furnishings in the Ahmad Baba Institute library looted but from all our local sources – all intimately connected with the public and private collections in the town - there was no malicious destruction of any library or collection.
In terms of digital literary archives, one of the lessons for today's archivists is that so-called e-manuscripts are highly unstable, and need early curatorial intervention to secure them against the threats of technological obsolescence.
This means that the writers involved become increasingly aware of interest in their papers, and for novelist Jonathan Franzen, this changes everything: 'Unfortunately, I think that once writers become self-conscious about preserving archival material, the game is over...I also don't see how you resist the temptation to select material that suggests the most flattering narratives. And not just select, but actively create!'
[...new forms of digital archives will have wide-ranging implications for the ways that society experiences and remembers itself [...]
This week we're showcasing a resource for the archivists out there. [...] Meredith Lowe, and her awesome resource: Archives Gig. Link: http://archivesgig.livejournal.com/
This article is by Scott Redick, director of strategy at Heat, an independent advertising agency. Things change pretty quickly in the marketing industry. [...] 7. Content Archivist Competitive and legal pressure will require more demands for storing, indexing and retrieving the vast amount of content that brands produce. A content archivist will be the person everyone turns to when the CEO asks, “What was that one tweet we sent about that thing five years ago?”
Archivist Puts the History in Historical Drama “Boardwalk Empire”
- Library Journal
Archivist Heather Halpin Perez has become something of a celebrity since HBO's hit show about Prohibition-era Atlantic City, Boardwalk Empire, launched in 2010. But Perez, who manages the Alfred M. Heston Collection at the Atlantic City Free Public Library, says the work she does for the show is just another part of her job."
"Every professional worth their salt and who has had an ounce of success has been there. If you care, you get frustrated . . . and sometimes angry, demotivated or sad." [...] "So, before you throw in the towel, or just wallow in the blues and self pity, let’s think about how to curb some of that frustration a bit so you can get back to striving for success, innovation, great client interactions, fame and fortune (well maybe not the fortune… tongue firmly in cheek). Let’s move on and make a difference in the world. Step 1: Stop whining Step 2: Find your purpose Step 3: Change your focus Step 4: Stop checking your stats so often Step 5: Have faith Step 6: Set realistic goals Step 7: Stay committed Step 8: Look to others for inspiration" http://stephenslighthouse.com/2012/11/01/curb-your-librarian-frustration-in-8-steps/
Via Patrick Provencher
"Today’s post comes to us from Mark Greene, whom you are undoubtedly familiar with through his countless archival publications, perhaps most notably MPLP with Dennis Meissner. You can read more about him in his SAA bio. Mark has offered to write a series of three posts for us addressing the job market, internships, and preparation for entry into the archives profession."
RT @ALALibrary: So You Want to Be an Archivist: An Overview of the Archives Profession - Soc of American Archivists @archivists_org - http://t.co/LszmeEJB... "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."
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Melissa Mannon, "Why all Librarians Should Take an Introduction to Archives Class". http://t.co/M4TuKQhJYm This post furthers a discussion about the need for librarians and archivists to study the others' field. In my last post, I presented the idea "Why All Archivists Should Take a Library Reference Class."
[...] if you are a librarian, explore what archives have to offer. Build a connection with your local historical society or take a class in archives management. Linking primary and secondary sources rounds out the world of information, opens doors to collaboration between librarians and archivists and provides a means toward better understanding of the value of both archives and libraries by new potential patrons and supporters.
Libraries and Archives Canada has been hit very hard with budget cuts, making information harder and harder for genealogists and others to obtain. Now Federal librarians and archivists who set foot in classrooms, attend conferences, or speak up at public meetings on their own time are engaging in “high risk” activities, according to the new code of conduct at Library and Archives Canada.
That's right: Libraries and Archives Canada employees who attend a genealogy conference on their own time must obtain permission from their managers in advance. The stated reason to ensure there are no conflicts or “other risks to LAC.” The code, which stresses federal employees’ “duty of loyalty” to the “duly elected government,” also spells out how offenders can be reported.
Archivist Phil Mooney Reflects on 35 Years of Preserving Coca-Cola’s History and Helping Shape its Future (Archivist Phil Mooney Reflects on 35 Years of Preserving Coca-Cola’s History http://t.co/BA8ivcQaXS... Aside from chronicling, cataloging and curating the company’s advertising materials and more – including rare artwork and collectibles worth hundreds of thousands of dollars – Mooney has served as the brand’s storyteller-in-chief, bringing a historian’s perspective to interviews with The Today Show, the History Channel, CNN and CNBC. He was even once an answer on the trivia game show, Jeopardy!
Alice Fordham: How Timbuktu's heritage was saved in rice sacks and canoes The National Before the militants worked out to look in an older building for the remaining 28,000 manuscripts, said Abdoulaye Cisse, the acting director of the institute, he and the other rchivists and employees quietly began to smuggle them out of the city. They piled centuries-old investigations of law and geography, the volumes known in Arabic as the Histories of the Sudan, and Islamic scholarship, into rice sacks.
Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/africa/how-timbuktu-s-heritage-was-saved-in-rice-sacks-and-canoes#ixzz2LbmlmRZ7 ;
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A Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology: ...to establish and maintain mechanisms and procedures for allowing periodic updates and contributions of new content to A Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology and to ensure that this important resource adheres to the highest quality professional standards.
By Julian Bajkowski: On a typically mild Brisbane day in late August, hundreds of those tasked literally with preserving the history of government have converged at the river city’s convention centre to find a way forward in the digital age.
Often misunderstood as a slightly stuffy, almost archaic profession, in reality archivists remain the most highly trusted employees working in the public service because of their role preserving often highly sensitive documents.
And with good reason.
Cabinet papers, minutes of pivotal meetings and communications and correspondence that later define an era all pass through their hands.
But it’s not the paper world that’s creating a stir at the International Council of Archivists Congress 2012. It’s preserving Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and the exploding stream of social media traffic and digital documents through which an increasing number of governments are communicating to their constituents.
Analysis, news, comment and jobs for arts, museum and heritage professionals Free membership: https://register.guardian.co.uk/culture-professionals The Guardian Culture Professionals Network (CPN) is an essential meeting space for arts, heritage and culture professionals, offering commentary, community engagement and access to a range of perspectives and best practice from across your sector. Our content is international, open and dynamic. We also provide connections. As a network member, we will connect you online and offline with peers and partners across a range of disciplines and departments - people who are looking to share ideas and make things happen. Whether you work in audience development, arts marketing, venue management, fundraising and finance, cultural policy or - like so many culture professionals - you're a creative freelancer with a portfolio career, you'll find the Guardian Culture Professionals Network an invaluable source of knowledge and contacts for your professional life.
Ithaka S+R’s Research Support Services for Scholars program has released the report of their NEH-funded study, Supporting the Changing Research Practices of Historians. Here’s a brief description of the project from the report’s Executive Summary: In 2011-2012, Ithaka S+R examined the changing research methods and practices of academic historians in the United States, with the objective of identifying services to better support them. Based on interviews with dozens of historians, librarians, archivists, and other support services providers, this project has found that the underlying research methods of many historians remain fairly recognizable even with the introduction of new tools and technologies, but the day to day research practices of all historians have changed fundamentally. Ithaka S+R researchers identified numerous opportunities for improved support and training, which are presented as recommendations to information services organizations including libraries and archives, history departments, scholarly societies, and funding agencies. Link to report: http://www.sr.ithaka.org/news/understanding-historians-today-%E2%80%94-new-ithaka-sr-report
by Butch Lazorchak: Quick quiz: Is the employment outlook for librarians growing or shrinking? The answer depends on what you call a “library job.” "BLS view doesn’t describe too many of the librarians, archivists and museum professionals I know. Just for kicks, let’s compare the BLS librarian description to the job area of Computer and Information Systems Managers, which O*Net describes as having a “bright outlook” (projected to grow at a rate of 29% or more this decade): Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to assess computing needs and system requirements.
Stay abreast of advances in technology.
Provide users with technical support for computer problems.
Assign and review the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers.
Evaluate the organization’s technology use and needs and recommend improvements, such as hardware and software upgrades.
Funny…that list looks a lot more like the job descriptions of the librarians I know!
"The Librarian & Archivist Weekly, by Marylène Goulet: Everything and anything you wanted to know about what's happening in libraries & archives around the world (Read The Librarian & Archivist Weekly)"
"Since last week’s post on 10 Geeky Office Supplies for Librarians was so popular, I decided to follow it up with these awesome and very geeky gadgets that are on my wish list: 1.) Livescribe Smart Pen 2.) Noteboard Foldable Pocket Whiteboard 3.) Hot Cookie USB Cup Warmer 4.) Literary iPad Cases 5.) The Point and Click Dictionary 6.) iPad Mini 7.) iPhone/iPad Pocket Projector 8.) FreeLoader Pro Solar Charger 9.) Aroma USB 10.) Doctor Who USB Dalek Desk Defender"
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