Society Of American Archivists Research Articles

Where Are Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Social Justice in North American Graduate Archival Education?

Recent official pronouncements by the Society of American Archivists (SAA) and the exhortations of recent SAA presidents highlight the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social justice in the archival enterprise. Graduate archival education programs have immense influence in readying students for practice. Faculty members therefore have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to embed DEI and social justice in the curriculum to ensure that students are prepared to promote DEI and social justice in their professional work. This exploratory mixed-methods case study relies on semistructured interviews with 33 tenured or tenure-track graduate archival faculty and a survey of 406 students and new archival professionals (SNPs) (those with five or fewer years in the field) to explore the prevalence of DEI and social justice content in the current graduate archival curriculum. Findings suggest, first, that faculty members integrate DEI/SJ into curriculum in numerous ways but could do so more robustly and consistently. Second, SNPs did not necessarily see DEI and social justice as topics essential to optimal professional preparation. Moreover, many students were not exposed to DEI and social justice issues during their graduate education. We discuss the implications of these findings, offer recommendations for practice, and provide suggestions for further research in this underdeveloped area.

Wikipedia Pages for Underrepresented Archivists: Creating Representation through an SAA Foundation Grant-Funded Documentation Project

ABSTRACT In spring 2019, university archivist April Anderson-Zorn and special formats cataloger Eric Willey, both at Illinois State University (ISU), submitted a grant request to the Society of American Archivists (SAA) Foundation. The team requested funds to hire an ISU graduate student to create content for Wikipedia pages for underrepresented archivists. The grant aimed to fill a content gap on the site by including the biographies of female, Black, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented archivists to highlight their accomplishments in the profession. With the help of graduate student Stephanie Collier, the project surpassed its original goal of fifteen pages, with over forty pages now on Wikipedia. Though Collier was successful in her efforts, she experienced setbacks throughout the process, including biases and harassment from some Wikipedia editors. This article reviews the literature on the history of Wikipedia and bias found within the Wikipedia community, provides an overview of the project, discusses privacy concerns in creating Wikipedia pages, and suggests the next steps for continuing the work to bring representation for underrepresented archivists to the Wikipedia platform. The article also examines Collier's experience working to bring representation to archivists while completing a graduate degree in history in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Sometimes I feel like they hate us”: The Society of American Archivists and Graduate Archival Education in the Twenty-first Century

ABSTRACT The Society of American Archivists (SAA) has long involved itself with graduate-level archival education. It has sponsored committees and subcommittees, guidelines, roundtables/sections, student chapters, and pre-conferences. But limited empirical evidence exists regarding faculty members' view of SAA's involvement with graduate archival education. This exploratory qualitative case study employs semistructured interviews with full-time, tenure-track archival faculty. We address the ways in which SAA contributes to faculty members' teaching, faculty members' encouragement of students to join SAA, SAA student chapters and faculty advising, and how SAA might promote better communication, coordination, and collaboration between graduate archival education programs and practitioners. We contend that despite decades of effort on both sides, the relationship between graduate archival education programs and the Society of American Archivists remains disjointed, ultimately limiting the field's development. We offer recommendations and suggestions for future research to strengthen this relationship in the interest of improving student experience and the health of the profession.

College and University Archivists: Doing It All for Less

ABSTRACT The Society of American Archivists (SAA) and its members have conducted numerous surveys of the archival profession—both of archivists as individuals and of archival institutions—through the years. In 1949, the College and University Archives Committee of SAA conducted the first survey specifically of college and university archives. Building off previous surveys, in 2021 the College and University Archives Landscape Survey was undertaken by the College and University Archives Section to gather data about the management and organization of college and university archives within the United States, as well as about the backgrounds, skills, responsibilities, and tasks in which college and university archivists are engaged. While the initial results were released to the membership, this article represents further analysis and contextualization with other professional literature. It identifies trends, similarities, and differences between surveys and eras, and it provides suggestions for future surveys and research.

Cheryl Oestreicher. Reference and Access for Archives and Manuscripts, (SAA) Archival Fundamentals Series III. Chicago, IL: Society of American Archivists, 2022. Edited by Peter J. Wosh. 195 pages. Paper, PDF, Kindle $69.00 (ISBN: 978-1-945246-40-1)

Reference and Access for Archives and Manuscripts by Cheryl Oestreicher is a comprehensive guide for archives and special collections workers published by the Society of American Archivists as part of the Archival Fundamentals Series III. The information is presented in a straightforward manner with the aim of describing and contextualizing the skills, policies, practices, and specific tasks of reference and access within the much-changed contemporary archival services landscape. Oestreicher is a new voice in the Fundamentals series on the topic of reference and access. Mary Jo Pugh admirably authored the previous iterations dating back to the first series in the 1990s up until the most recent 2005 edition.

Reference and Access for Archives and Manuscripts. Archival Fundamentals Series III, Vol. 4. By Cheryl Oestreicher. [Review

Reference and access are significant and enduring topics in archival practice and scholarship. It is fundamental to our common professional understanding of archives that “archival records exist to be used”1 and that archivists must “construct a robust system of access” to records in their care.2 Appropriately, the Society of American Archivists (SAA) has again included a monograph on reference and access in its Archival Fundamentals Series III, the latest iteration of its monograph series addressing several core aspects of archival practice.

'I'm not a very good visionary': challenge and change in twenty-first century North American archival education.

Since the founding of the National Archives (1934) and the Society of American Archivists (1936), archival scholars, educators, and practitioners have discussed and debated the challenges of and future directions for graduate archival education. This exploratory qualitative case study uses semistructured interviews with 33 tenure-track and tenured faculty members from North American graduate archival programs to explore the most pressing issues facing archival education in the twenty-first century. Showing both continuity and change, findings extend and enrich the literature regarding faculty, curriculum, interdisciplinarity and collaboration, DEI, technology, and sustainability.

Reciprocity: Building a Discourse in Archives

ABSTRACT Increasing interest in indigenization, decolonization, community archives, and the recent adoption of the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials (PNAAM) by the Society of American Archivists, offer opportunities for archivists to reflect on the application of “reciprocity” in archives. This article examines reciprocity as a concept in the archival field and shows how current reciprocal practices in archives with Native and Indigenous holdings can inform the wider field and its practice. The authors chart the emergence of reciprocity as an archival responsibility and to create fieldwide change through meaningful, community-based partnerships. They posit a continuum of institutional reciprocity, as well as how reciprocity might be seeded into the core functions of archives to bridge distances between communities and archival institutions. Inspired by recent scholarship in museum studies, the article concludes with a vision of “otherwising” to explore alternative possibilities that can be realized when we adopt reciprocity as an archival practice.

Urgent Archives: Enacting Liberatory Memory Work

Urgent Archives: Enacting Liberatory Memory Work

33] Museum Archives Guidelines by the Society of American Archivists

33] Museum Archives Guidelines by the Society of American Archivists

ИНСТИТУЦИОНАЛЬНАЯ ПРОБЛЕМАТИКА ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНЫХ СТАНДАРТОВ В АРХИВИСТИКЕ: ВЗГЛЯД ИЗ БОЛГАРИИ

The article presents the role of the institutional problematics in the structure of archival education in accordance with the Central and East European tradition, as well as in accordance with the series of analysis and strategic approaches prepared by the International Council of Archives, the Group of European Archivists, and the Society of American Archivists. There is a sustainable and, in its nature, conservative methodological concept, that is also vital within the present technological environment. Its core is the classical archival principle of the provenance and an idea of integrity of documental complexes. The author makes a short review of the role of the institutional problematics history in the Bulgarian archival education starting with several elements at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries and ending with the contemporary specialty “Archive and Document Management” at the Sofia University. Nowadays, the selection of the educational content is focused on the understanding the relation between the institutions and their archives, and, on the other hand, on the acquisition of practical skills for exploring and analysing the documents of a structural nature. From a wider perspective, it is also necessary to understand the regime of the functioning and the related access and archive usage regimes and the memories regimes. The students acquire classical information literacy, as well as specific professional thinking and attitude. An important mission of the institutional problematics is not only to give certain knowledge, but also to form an adequate ethical attitude, as well as the overall identity of good professionalism.

Arranging and Describing Archives and Manuscripts. Archival Fundamentals Series III, Vol. 2. By Dennis Meissner. [Review

Dennis Meissner's Arranging and Describing Archives and Manuscripts is the fourth manual on the topic to be published by the Society of American Archivists since 1977. A longer volume than its Archival Fundamentals Series II predecessor, Meissner's Arranging and Describing Archives and Manuscripts is organized to proceed from basic definitions to the principles of arrangement and description, and then to the practice of each. A chapter on nontextual formats (i.e., photographs, sound and moving image recordings, and digital records) affirms that arranging and describing such materials occurs within the same basic framework as those for traditional paper records. A brief final chapter offers speculation about future change, and a recapitulatory conclusion and six appendices round out the manual. Meissner's clear treatment of fundamental ideas provides a basis for the reader to understand the work of arrangement and description. Throughout, the author offers both concise and practical advice. Among other things, the manual offers lucid descriptions of concepts and practices such as levels of arrangement, multilevel description, and practical and physical requirements for archival processing, as well as a concise guide to arranging and describing born-digital records. Arranging and Describing Archives and Manuscripts successfully fulfills its author's stated goal of providing "a very practical manual" that situates its pragmatic guidance within archival theory (p. 1).

Advocacy and Awareness for Archivists. Archival Fundamentals Series III, Vol. 3. By Kathleen D. Roe. [Review

Writing a formal review for this work seems oddly unnecessary; given the background and experience of the author, one would not even have to read this book to know its worth. Kathleen Roe has long been a powerful voice for promoting the vital importance of advocacy in the archival profession, not only in her own career (notably as director of archives and records management at the New York State Archives) but in her record of prominent professional service. Roe served as president of the Society of American Archivists in 2014-2015, where she made advocacy one of the centerpiece policies of her administration. As past president of the Council of State Archivists (as well as during her SAA service), she provided leadership not only in lower-level advocacy efforts but also as an active voice for archival advocacy at the federal legislative level. Few people in our profession are better poised than Roe to "write the book," as it were, on archival advocacy in all its aspects. Here she has provided us with an invaluable reference tool to help us pursue advocacy initiatives and programs regardless of our institutional limits.

The Broad Scope of Design Records

It is with immense pleasure that I address you today, journal readers. The last time that American Archivist offered a section focused on articles about design-centric records was in 1996, volume 59, number 2. At that time, the Society of American Archivists' (SAA) Design Records Section was the Architectural Records Section; that issue's articles, therefore, were suitably focused on architectural records. As the section name-change implies, the section has since broadened its focus measurably.This issue of American Archivist is the culmination of several years of planning and the efforts of many contributors. In February 2018, Christopher “Cal” Lee, former American Archivist editor, issued the call for any member of the Editorial Board to serve in the role of guest editor. He invited board members to indulge in their special archives interests with the ultimate goal of focusing an issue, or a segment thereof, on a particular subject. At that time, I was a member of the Editorial Board, serving in that capacity from 2016 to 2020. Before that tenure of service, I was a peer reviewer of American Archivist articles, and today, I still serve in that capacity.Knowing how long it had been since the journal focused on design records, and given the broader scope of the Design Records Section, and considering my own dedicated archives practice in this subject area, I raised my hand in that 2018 meeting and volunteered to take on this exciting role.Over many months and after a number of calls for author and reviewer participation, we have accumulated what I think is an engaging and useful array of content. All that considered, the most profound message my collaborators and I want to send to you, the readers of the journal, is that many, if not most, archivists will manage design records of some sort and at some point in their careers. Whether the records are blueprints, floorplans, built environment system diagrams, fashion or costume illustrations, interior design schemas, or patterns of various creations, these creative aspects or elements of the human experience will be made evident in—and find themselves a part of—the archival record, probably your records.In this special section, you will discover scholarly narratives reflecting a wealth of archival practice as seen through the creative and often beautiful lens of their peers who manage design records. You will explore how the built environment at the University of California, Santa Barbara, informed the social evolution of the campus. In addition, you will be exposed to digital collections management of unusual complexity and learn how born-digital design records enhance visual literacy skills. Archives instruction, outreach, and appraisal are also discussed at length.In fact, we elected to make the most use of the new online format and leverage its advantages. Perhaps of special interest are the downloadable templates that accompany “Design Records Appraisal Tool,” bringing a wonderful dynamism to your reading experience.I would like to thank Cal Lee, former American Archivist editor, for the invitation to be a guest editor and the valuable and necessary tutoring he gave to me. I would also like to thank the current American Archivist editor, Amy Cooper Cary, who continued my editor instruction; Abigail Christian, Archival Outlook editor and SAA production coordinator; and Teresa Brinati, SAA director of publishing, for their most able and generous assistance along this marvelous journey.So, welcome, readers, to volume 84, number 2 of American Archivist. My collaborators and I hope you enjoy and use the content in a capacity equal to the joy we experienced in bringing it to you.

Working Toward Best Practices for Design Records

We, the cochairs of the Society of American Archivists (SAA) Design Records Section (DRS), write to you with excitement and enthusiasm for this special section of American Archivist dedicated to design records. We extend a heartfelt thank-you to Karen Trivette, guest editor, who conceived of this special section and asked us to write an introductory letter.The mission of the DRS is to support archival professionals working with design records by conducting research, setting best practices, and providing solutions related to the arrangement, description, preservation, conservation, and storage challenges inherent to these specialized materials. We aim to provide an open, engaging, and inclusive forum for discussion, and we encourage all SAA members to reach out to our network of specialists who work at a variety of institutions. These may include architectural firms, design schools, special collections and facilities, and academic and government archives, among others. Designers, architects, and engineers produce a variety of records for myriad reasons in multiple formats, including drawings, sketchbooks, models, photographs, and presentation boards.Many archivists may hesitate to address design records because they can seem daunting in both size and scope. The good news is that our knowledge does not exist in a vacuum. The DRS seeks to reach out to current and potential members, as well as to stakeholders such as architectural historians, technologists, and those in similar specializations who are also managing visual and complex collections. Though design records may seem a siloed subject area, it shares many of the same issues and challenges as other specialized subject areas, such as aerospace and geospatial engineering, archaeology, and so on. Architectural archivists are not the only ones who struggle with the varied, complex, and unique challenges posed by design records; all archivists and archival practitioners may one day encounter these types of records.As the design field has moved toward producing mostly born-digital records using complex proprietary software, the section's original mission to establish best practices for design records has become paramount. To advance the work of our profession, the DRS actively works with members of the community to investigate and set best practices for the appraisal, description, and preservation of born-digital design records. We continue to conduct scholarly research and to discuss and report findings during section meetings and other communications.As this special section illuminates, sharing our research, experiences, and solutions in scholarly publications supports the work of all design records professionals and extends our visibility to a broader audience. The DRS encourages all archival professionals managing design records to contribute to American Archivist outside of this special section. The last issue dedicated to architectural materials was published in 1996, and, while it is still relevant today, much has changed since then. Publishing articles related to design records in American Archivist positions this centralized resource to draw on best practices, research, and perspectives from a variety of practitioners and, at the same time, keeps us at the forefront of emerging trends.

Coping with Covid-19: The case of the National Library of Jamaica

While Asian and European countries were grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, the first imported case from the United Kingdom surfaced in Jamaica on 10 March 2020. The article will trace the steps taken by the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) before and during the pandemic while improving the value of our cultural heritage to Jamaica and the wider diaspora. The NLJ celebrated 40 years of sterling contribution to the development of Jamaica from March 1979 to April 2020. It has been a leading voice in the region in disaster management and preparedness. Through its Preservation and Conservation Branch, and oversight from the Disaster Preparedness Committee, the NLJ has become a training ground for professionals in the information and conservation field. While highlighting the work of the NLJ, the article will also present statements and surveys conducted on regional and international bodies. These organisations include the Association of Caribbean University, Research and Institutional Libraries (ACURIL), the Community of Directors of National Libraries (a subgroup of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and the Society of American Archivists. The surveys conducted gleaned a greater appreciation of the impact of Covid-19 on libraries and archives regionally and internationally. The article will address other pandemic crises that have affected Jamaica. It will also demonstrate that being proactive and prepared for viral episodes can mitigate the risks. The NLJ used the opportunity to facilitate service delivery while being socially distant from its patrons.

Laura A. Millar. <em>A Matter of Facts: The Value of Evidence in an Information Age.</em>

The postmodern and post-truth world we live in might have reached its zenith. Written for the general public and not specifically information professionals, Laura A. Millar’s A Matter of Facts: The Value of Evidence in an Information Age grapples with the definitions of data, facts, evidence, and truth and how these parts of information are used and abused in modern society. This volume is the first in the Archival Futures series, jointly published by the Society of American Archivists (SAA) and ALA Neal-Schuman, which will demonstrate “how the preservation and stewardship of the archival record is a collective effort that underpins and supports democratic societies and institutions” (viii). Dr. Millar is an obvious choice to lead the series, given her notable career as an independent consultant and her numerous publications on creating and maintaining archives during the last 30 years. Her passion for the field and conviction in the importance of her topic are apparent throughout the text.

LIS Association Activities in Promoting and Sustaining an Inclusive Profession

The virtuous circle model of library and information science (LIS) education, in which increased elements of diversity and inclusion in LIS education would lead to increased elements of diversity and inclusion in the LIS profession, provides a useful foundation for ongoing actions. This article builds on that model to show examples of inclusion fostered by LIS professionals themselves. By revisiting the history of the American Library Association (ALA), the five ethnic caucuses of ALA, and the Society of American Archivists, we describe the roles that these associations play in fostering professional inclusion.

Of primary importance: applying the new literacy guidelines

PurposeWritten by a librarian and history professor, the purpose of this paper is to describe a collaborative, primary source literacy project and report its effectiveness in teaching undergraduates to critically analyze information and develop primary source literacy.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used included a research project with 24 undergraduates and a pre- and post-survey. The research project and student survey incorporated principles from the “Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy”, published in 2017 by the ACRL’s Rare Books and Manuscripts Section and the Society of American Archivists. The paper offers research and practical implications for librarians and instructors interested in strategies to teach information literacy. For instance, the paper includes a review of literature on “archival intelligence” or “primary source literacy” and describes the 2017 Guidelines for Primary Source Literacy.FindingsSocially, the paper includes implications for how to create an inclusive learning experience for students with mechanisms such as a scaffolded assignment, hands-on instruction, imposter syndrome awareness and a no-Google policy.Originality/valueGiven that this is one of the first articles to document how practitioners are incorporating the new 2017 Guidelines, this is sure to be an original and valuable essay.

Harold T. Pinkett and the Lonely Crusade of African American Archivists in the Twentieth Century

ABSTRACT As suggested by its Statement of Core Values (2011), Statement on Diversity (2013), and Strategic Plan (2014–2018), the Society of American Archivists has recently increased its efforts regarding diversity and inclusion. This article focuses on Harold T. Pinkett (1914–2001), the first African American archivist employed by the National Archives as well as the first African American to be named an SAA Fellow, to edit The American Archivist, and to serve on SAA Council. Pinkett's life speaks to current diversity and inclusivity conversations in two ways. First, it illuminates the history of racial and ethnic diversity and inclusivity in the archival profession, particularly at the National Archives and in the Society of American Archivists. Archivists such as Harold Pinkett began to fight for diversity and inclusivity in the profession's early years. Second, Pinkett's story shows the long-standing investment of African American archivists in increasing racial and ethnic diversity and inclusivity in...