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 Jessi Renfroe wrote: > Ouch! Only "some" librarians are intelligent. But you imply that only > "some" archivists are not? > > Until now I had no idea that to be an Archivist is to be an elitist. > > As a grad student working on her MLIS, and someone who had briefly > considered an Archival track, I must say that this discussion is just > a little offensive. Before today I did not know of this division > between the two groups. > > I also had no idea that to be a librarian was something to be ashamed of! > > I have to say, I cannot wait to be a librarian and I am most certainly > not ashamed. > > -Jessi Renfroe > MLIS Student, Unviersity of Southern Mississippi > > > 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]> > -- Danna C. Bell-Russel Educational Outreach Specialist Office of Strategic Initiatives Library of Congress 202-707-4159 [log in to unmask] 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]>