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Archival Basics

A Practical Manual for Working with Historical Collections

  • Textbook
Archival Basics cover

Archival Basics

A Practical Manual for Working with Historical Collections

  • Textbook
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Description

Archival Basics for Historic Record Collections is an introduction to the concepts, policies, infrastructure and tasks needed to collect, preserve and make archival collections available to researchers. The book is based on content presented in workshops by the Council of State Archivists and presented in an on-line course by the American Association of State and Local History since 2003. Arp focuses on the discreet tasks necessary to manage archival collections. This is a practical, how-to book on managing archival collections designed for those who have responsibility for such collections but lack formal archival training.



The book begins by defining historic records, archival collections and the differences between archives, libraries and museums while identifying the steps needed to manage archival collections. It then looks at collecting archival items including creating a collections policy, documenting the acquisition of archival items and the steps needed to bring those items into an archives. It discusses arranging, preserving and describing archival collections so researchers can find the information they seek. Next, it goes over what is needed to store, protect, and make archival collections available to researchers. The last chapters contemplates the policies, skills and infrastructure needed to successfully manage digital records and looks at creating digital copies of analog records to promote their use.



The book provides templates, questionnaires and examples to enable the reader to create customized archival policies and procedures that accommodate the particular circumstances they find themselves in. The book also contains exercises and quizzes designed to reinforce the retention and understanding of critical concepts. In addition to examples it has lists of additional resources so those who want more detailed information on particular topics can find it. This book is not the only reference book needed by those doing archival work, but it should be the first book they need.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Archives and Archivists
Records
More About Historical Records
Historical Record Collections
What is an Archives?
What is an Archivist?
Chapter Summary, Exercise and Exam

Chapter 2 - Collections Policy
What is a Collections Policy?
Assessing Your Capabilities and Resources
Elements of a Collections Policy
Summary and Exercise

Chapter 3 - Appraisal
Defining Appraisal
Making Appraisal Decisions
Other Factors to Consider
Summary and Exercise

Chapter 4 - Accessioning
Transferring Legal Ownership of the Records
Gaining Physical and Intellectual Control of Your Records
Documenting your accessions
Chapter Summary

Chapter 5 Arrangement
Terms
Arranging Records
Chapter Summary

Chapter 6 - Preservation
Preservation of What?
Handling archival materials during processing
Preservation as part of processing
Summary

Chapter 7 Description
Description in detail
Finding Aids
Practice with Finding Aids
Processing Case Study
Summary

Chapter 8 Storing collections
The Building
Within the Building
Summary

Chapter 9 Security planning and disasters
Physical Security
Collection and Researcher Management
Disaster Planning
Summary

Chapter 10 Reference
Reference Services
Providing Reference Services
Copyright
Summary

Chapter 11 Outreach
Outreach
Exhibits and Loans
Fundraising and Grant Writing
Chapter Summary

Chapter 12 Digital records
Introduction to Digital Records
Theory
Revising your collections policy
Digital appraisal
What must you do to archive digital records?
What resources do you need to archive digital records?
Summary

Chapter 13 Digitzation
Terms
Project Planning
Hardware and Software
Digitization procedures and workflow
Summary

Product details

Published May 08 2019
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 354
ISBN 9781538104552
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Illustrations 1 b/w illustration; 16 b/w photos; 18 tables; 49 textboxes
Dimensions 11 x 9 inches
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

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