what is an archivist?

Krista Ferrante

June 7, 2012

How I would explain

Archives to non-archivists

and the reasoning behind

my approach

• Definition - What are Archives?

• What kinds of stuff do they have?

• What can they do for me?

• Archives n. ~ 1. Materials created or

received by a person, family, or

organization, public or private, in the

conduct of their affairs and preserved

because of the enduring value

contained in the information they

contain or as evidence of the functions

and responsibilities of their creator

• 2. The division within an organization

responsible for maintaining the

organization's records of enduring

value.

• 3. An organization that collects the

records of individuals, families, or other

organizations; a collecting archives.

• 4. The professional discipline of

administering such collections and

organizations.

• 5. The building (or portion thereof)

housing archival collections.

• 6. A published collection of scholarly

papers, especially as a periodical.

ARCHIVES

Charged with keeping and providing

access to materials of enduring value

Materials?

So what’s in all these boxes?

Research data and electronic

documents

Email

Family photos

Digital video

3D blueprints

What can archivists do for

you?• Help you access our materials and give

guidance

• Assist research and teaching mission

• Maintain what has been entrusted to us

• Give advice about your own materials

• Advocates for better more sustainable administrative systems

• Risk mitigation

What did I leave out?

Thank you!

Krista Ferrante

June 7, 2012