While there are very good library and information science tracks in archival
education that do provide a well-rounded approach, I would like to make note
of the fact that no one has noted the primary difference between the
character of archival holdings and those of a library, which is a simple
concept, but one that may never be addressed in terms of who cares for them,
and is often lacking in library programs (with which I am personally
familiar only.)and the librarian/special collections folk I have dealt with.
One of these was the head of Special Collections at UCLA, now retired for
many years. I still think formal training is necessary in the philosophy of
archives.
Elizabeth Fairfax
-----Original Message-----
From: Marisol Ramos [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 10:29 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: degree requirements are good and necessary
Hi,
I have also keep up with this thread and I found
myself that now I need to add my 2 cents.
Eric, I understand your frustration regarding the
inconsistency in education to develop into an
archivist, but to make assumptions about
library/archives programs without even going to one is
a little too much for me. Where did you get your data
about how often archival principals are discussed in library/information
departments? Your comments doesn't reflect my experience.
I got my MLIS at UCLA in 2001 and I have to say our
archival track was very comprehensive, Anne Gilliland
was my advisor and she made sure we got a complete
grounding of archival history both in the US and UK.
Both Schellenberg and Jenkinson were discussed and
both life cycle and archival continuum were taught in
my archival classes. Plus, I had great internships
where I not only processed but also did library
reference which have helped a lot in my job career.
I found that I am a more versatile individual having
an MLIS with an archival specialization. Both fields
really enrich each other. Now, if you want to work at
NARA indeed it is better to have a MA in American
History since that is what they wants. I found this
too limiting and I like the flexibility of my degree.
Finally, it is my experience that in academia you
found a lot of archives place under the jurisdiction
of library departments and being able to stand to
librarians with the same degree help a lot to be able
to do your job.
I do see the problem that as archivists we confront,
there is still not a clear path to becoming an
archivist. More often than not, people become
archivist because they were asked to at their job and
I applauded anyone that decide to tackle a difficult
job with little support from the supervisors to
preserve the history of their institution or their constituents.
That is the reason that I co-author my book on how to
build an archival program. I don't want for anyone to
feel inferior for not having an formal education.
Rather I want them to know that there is help out
there to do the job right and it is my hope that they
will get interested and decide to become an archivist,
be through a library school, Public History or the CA.
What is important at the end is that we train people
to take care of archives so future generations to
enjoy. I think instead of bickering about which is
degree is better, this or that, instead we need to
find the one thing that we all agree that we should
all have and push HR office and other hiring agency to
validate it for anyone. I thought the Archival
Certification program was the solution, but this will
not work as long as no one push it to make it that
way.
I mean CPA have to pass a 4-part test plus 2 years of experiences to get
their licenses--and no one care where they got their degree, and lawyers
just need to pass the bar, as long as they have study and have the required
knowledge, etc... So, why we can do the same for archives? Just food for
thought.
Ok, I am done with my ramblings. I hope I make sense.
Thanks,
Marisol
--- Mark Matienzo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Eric v.d. Luft wrote:
> > Nevertheless, if he believes that the
> MLS/MLIS/MSLS/MSLIS or whatever they call it is
> going to give us archivists and rare book
> librarians the training that WE need, then he is
> sadly mistaken. Who learns about Schellenberg or
> macroappraisal in an ALA-approved
> MLS/MLIS/MSLS/MSLIS program? Not many, I dare say.
>
Mark said:
> If there is an archival component to the program,
> many do. I did, as
> did everyone else who went to the University of
> Michigan for at least
> the last ten years (and probably more). The
> education component has
> changed significantly and is still constantly
> evolving. I'm not sure why
> you're so insistent that your MLS was useless, but
> perhaps the program
> you attended didn't have relevant coursework or you
> chose not to enroll
> in such classes.
>
> Mark Matienzo, MSI (Archives & Records Management)
>
> [log in to unmask] | 301.209-3180 | fax 301.209-0882
> Assistant Archivist, Niels Bohr Library/Center for
> History of Physics
> American Institute of Physics, 1 Physics Ellipse,
> College Park MD
> 20740
>
> Disclaimer: Opinions in this message are mine alone
> and do not
> represent those of the American Institute of Physics
> or any of its
> member societies.
>
> A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV
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>
Marisol Ramos, MA. MLIS
Librarian
Virginia Reid Moore Marine Research Library
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
3720 Stephen M. White Drive
San Pedro, CA 90731
[log in to unmask]
310-548-7594 (voice)
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A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the
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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
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Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
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Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>