Hi (also coming out of my lurker mode), This discussion is very intertesting to me. Having been an itinerant archivist for many years (grant funded projects!), I can tell you how very frustrating it has been to see very good archival positions advertised requiring the MLS or MILS. While I agree that we need to work together as information professionals, I disagree with the notion that someone with an MLS and additional training in archives is more qualified than a person with an MA in History and a lot of training in archives. By this logic, since I have an MA in History and additional training in libraries, I should be able to get a position as a Librarian! I think that the people responsible for academic libraries should start taking a look at the individuals qualifications and tell the HR people to bugger off! I was fortunate in finding a position in an academic library where the position was advertised with a History degree requirement but it should be noted that the advertisements usually state something like "MA in History or closely related field and training in archives or an MLS." The implication, of course, is that with only an MA in History you have to have additional traing in archives but with an MLS you do not. I believe that a grounding in history is essential to the archival profession (period) chuck hill University Archivist Eastern Kentucky University ----Original Message Follows---- From: Danna Bell-Russel <[log in to unmask]> Hi (coming out of my lurker mode), This is a discussion that has been repeated over and over and over again on the archives list. Those of you interested in the history of this debate can look there and also in several articles and books on the subject. In regards to Jessi's comment, in the past (and I mean many, many decades ago) you had to apply formally to be a member of the Society of American Archivists and membership was limited so that the number of archivists could be limited. Much of that elitism or belief that archvists are elitist continues to this day. I have my MLS and have additional training in archives (check the listserv to see my training story). Right now my focus is in education and outreach with a healthy dose of reference. I appreciate the skills and knowledge I have from both professions and have learned to blend both so that I can be the best INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL I can be whether I am working in archives, records management facility, at a reference desk or in front of a group of teachers working to learn how to incorporate primary sources into the classroom. So enough already. We haven't solved which is better in terms of being an archivist, records manager or librarian. Get the most training you can so you can be flexible depending what the job market throws at you. Danna Bell-Russel Proud to wear many hats A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>