The American Archivist: The Voice of a Profession

Abstract

founders of the Society of American Archivists believed that they could render important service through professional publications. Consequently, a quarterly was the first enterprise of the kind decided on ; it remains date the Society's major venture in the field of professional publication. But the founders did not consider the new magazine as merely a house organ of the Society. Governed by the same broad vision that guided them in opening membership in the Society all uwho are or have been engaged in the custody or administration of archives and historical manuscripts or who, because of their special experience or other qualifications, are recognized as competent in archival economy, they christened their quarterly the American Archivist, and expressed its editorial policy in these simple words: to be useful as possible members of the Your program chairman has asked me discuss briefly the relationship between the American Archivist and the archival profession. Had he asked me for a title descriptive of the remarks I propose make, I might have replied that I would discuss American Archivist : The Voice of a Profession. But, on second thought, I probably would have insisted that the title ought be expressed in the style of Horatio Alger, namely American Archivist: The Voice of a Profession; or, The Tie That Binds. I have determined treat this topic, first, by setting forth the opportunities for professional service available our journal; and, second, by indicating some measures that must be taken if it is meet these opportunities for service the fullest extent. In dealing with the latter, it will be necessary present for your consideration some of the operational problems faced by your editor in publishing our quarterly. Every profession, including our own, must have some vehicle for