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
>
>
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-- 
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]>