American Archival Profession Research Articles

Maintaining Records in Context? Disrupting the Theory and Practice of Archival Classification and Arrangement

ABSTRACT The role and the associated practices of the archivist are attuned to notions of facilitation. Archivists facilitate people's engagement with the historical record by providing access to records in context: a context instantiated through archival classification, arrangement, and description. In the second of a two-part article, the author draws from the archival literature to present a historical overview of the factors that contributed to evolving notions of archival classification and arrangement from the 1960s to today. A review of the literature of this time frame provides its own context for understanding how, why, and through whose influence competing understandings and implementations of core classification ideas persist. In the process, the author highlights classification as a historically situated interpretive act, drawing attention to the implications of various disciplinary influences and analytical perspectives on the present status and future conception of, and possibilities for, the American archival profession.

Maintaining Records in Context: A Historical Exploration of the Theory and Practice of Archival Classification and Arrangement

In the first of a two-part article, the author examines the negotiated order that formed around the early conception of the purpose and function of archival classification and arrangement. Drawing from the literature that covers the first sixty years of the development of the American archival profession, the article reveals the historical, social, economic, and technological forces, as well as the specific professional circumstances and interests, in which these principles and processes emerged. In doing so, archival classification is presented as an infrastructural tool that is available for, and understandable to, members of the profession. The picture that emerges is one in which notions of classification and arrangement are emblematic of the profession's identity and aspirations, associated with certain configurations of bureaucracy and technology, embodied in tacit and stated knowledge, accomplished and materialized through experiential practice, yet ever emergent and contested in response to changing social and political realities.

The American Archivist Online Supplement to Volume 74. Edited by William E. Landis.

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) celebrated its 75th anniversary at its 2011 annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois. ARCHIVES 360° and SAA@75: “Then, Now . . . Wow!” was a time to reflect on the foundations, development, and future of the American archival profession. The semiannual American Archivist published four articles in the second issue of the 2011 (74th) volume that engaged the anniversary theme. But this issue insufficiently examined the breadth of the archival profession as covered at that momentous occasion. The American Archivist Online Supplement to Volume 74, guest edited by William E. Landis, compiled nine sessions from the 2011 annual meeting selected and reviewed by the Program Committee. In his introduction, Landis states that the purpose of the supplement is to capture annual meeting content in a more permanent and freely accessible means than purchasable session recordings. Panelists adapted their presentations into articles that explore the evolution of archival practice, examine professional diversity, and debate questions and opportunities for the twenty-first century. This successful supplement is the first of its kind for The American Archivist.

Archivists and Social Responsibility: A Response to Mark Greene

Once again Mark Greene has contributed a thoughtful, reasoned, and challenging essay to the archival discourse, demonstrating why his voice has become one of the most compelling in the American archival profession. The breadth and depth of his analysis of critical issues facing the profession are impressive, as are the passion and commitment he demonstrates time after time.1 The importance of the issues he addresses here can be seen in the lively debates sparked during a brown bag discussion of Greene’s essay during the August 2013 Society of American Archivists (SAA) annual meeting in New Orleans. Greene allowed American Archivist editor Gregory S. Hunter to distribute copies of his essay, before publication, as a catalyst for discussion. I am grateful to both of them for allowing me an opportunity to respond to his critique.

Waldo Gifford Leland and the Origins of the American Archival Profession

Waldo Gifford Leland and the Origins of the American Archival Profession

The Permanence of Provenance: The “Two Traditions” and the American Archival Profession

This article examines the claims that the American archival profession owes its existence to the unique combination of a “historical manuscripts tradition” and a “public archives tradition” over the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It also evaluates the differences and similarities between the traditions’ theories of practice and ideologies in early twentieth century American writings on archives and the Society of American Archivists’ “basic manuals” that defined much professional theory and practice in the late twentieth century. These findings have contemporary implications, as those seeking to define modern archival theory often erroneously use the origins of the American archival profession to support their arguments.

American historians and European archival theory: the collaboration of J.F. Jameson and Waldo G. Leland

J. Franklin Jameson and Waldo G. Leland remain forever linked in American archival history as the founders, respectively, of the National Archives and the American archival profession. From the immediate post-Revolutionary period until the eve of the First World War, American historians recognized that their nation's early history remained locked in European archives. However, not until the pioneering efforts of Leland, working under supervision of Jameson during the early 20th century, did any of these historical researchers bring to the United States, along with the voluminous copies of archival documents, the emerging tenets of European archival theory. This is the story of the collaboration between Jameson and Leland, and of Leland's efforts to professionalize American archival practice on the basis of European archival theory.

Archives and Museums: Balance and Development in Presidential Libraries

The nation's presidential libraries are pillars of the American archival profession, and their adjoining museums serve as popular tourist destinations. Franklin D. Roosevelt created the modern presidential library with both elements in place, to ensure access to enduring documentary evidence of the presidency for the scholarly community as well as the general public. What are the origins of Roosevelt's decision? How did his successors tailor their individual presidential libraries to reflect their desires and the standards of changing times and expectations? Has the dual mission of archival and museum operations retained its balance and integrity over the intervening sixty-plus years? An overview of the origins and development of the presidential library system seeks to answer these questions and reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the system.

The Roles of Graduate and Continuing Education Programs in Preparing Archivists in North America for the Information Age

This essay argues that the North American archival profession has not adequately dealt with educating archivists to manage automated techniques and, especially, electronic records because of a variety of structural problems in this field: There are few archival educators qualified to teach such topics, few satisfactory archival programs for handling such functions, and little research being done on these concerns. The essay presents five actions the archival community could take to rectify the dilemma: (1) expand the concept of graduate archival education, (2) make such education interdisciplinary, (3) emphasize research, (4) develop higher visibility with archival empoloyers and prospective student recruits, and (5) build a foundation for effective continuing education programs. This essay was prepared prior to Cox's assuming the editorship of the American Archivist. The essay is published as part of the CART Curriculum Conference Proceedings.

The American archival profession and information technology standards

American archivists have long had an interest in standards, although their interest has led to more intensive activity in the past decade. New standards have been developed for arrangement and description of archival records and historical manuscripts, the adaptive use of bibliographic standards, preservation of archival records and historical manuscripts, and the use of information technology standards for the management of archival records in electronic form. Many challenges still remain, however. Most important of such questions is how archivists can play a greater role in the information standards-setting world. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

On the Identity of the American Archival Profession: A European Perspective

The author, a Dutch archivist, reflects on the imprecision of the archival profession as practiced in the United States. The emphasis in the United States seems to be on "collecting." This impression, which he gathered from attendance at SAA annual meetings and from his reading of American archival literature, is contrary to his understanding of the profession. He summarizes the development of the profession in Europe, especially the Netherlands, and comments on the willingness of archivists in the United States to borrow library procedures.

Archival Training in Europe

American archival profession, training has been a foremost concern; and during the past ten years especially, the issue has engendered vigorous debate. Yet it is surprising how little attention has been paid to Europe, where diverse systems of education have functioned for a much longer time. Europeans too have had to confront the dilemma of records proliferation and the advent of new information technolo-

Worth Marion Tippy, 1866-1961

METHODISM, DePauw University, and the American archival profession have suffered a great loss in the death of Worth Marion Tippy, Methodist minister and retired archivist of DePauw University. Born in Lariwell, Ind., in November 1866, Dr. Tippy was educated at DePauw and Cornell Universities. He was author of many books and articles concerning Methodism, a biography of a founder of DePauw University, and two volumes of poetry. He served his church as executive secretary of the Department of Church and Social Service of the Federal Council of Churches in New York, held pulpits in Cleveland and Indianapolis and at Christ Church in New York City, and lectured at colleges and schools of theology in the service of Methodism. Retiring in 1936 at the age of 70, he went to Washington, D. C, and organized a department of social welfare for the Washington Federation of Churches. In 1941 and 1942 he served as executive secretary of the federation. In her recent annual report, Eleanore Cammack, archivist of DePauw University and Indiana Methodism, tells how this venerable theologian again emerged from retirement to make outstanding contributions to American church archives. Encountering difficulties in gathering material for articles he was writing for the DePauw Alumnus, Dr. Tippy conceived what is now the Archives of Indiana Methodism and DePauw University. To prepare for his new role as archivist he attended classes in archives administration at American University. He is remembered affectionately by the National Archives staff members with whom he was associated as an archival intern. During 1952 and 1953 he made great progress at DePauw, obtaining space and equipment and accessioning historical records. He also prepared a manual for the writing of local church histories. He joined the Society of American Archivists in 1952, was appointed a member of its Committee on Church Records, and continued as a committee member until 1956. Dr. Tippy again retired in 1957, at the age of 91. He died on October 2, 1961, at Laurel, Miss. The Society and DePauw University will long remember one who served so well.