"If you hope to work as a processing or reference archivist with a
government entity (such as the National Archives, which unfortunately is
vulnerable to hiring freezes in the current budget environment), an advanced
degree in history is useful."

Even within the narrow context of government archives, that might be a
little too broad. Many government archivists need sub-specializations in
fields other than history: anthropology (anthropological and environmental
surveys), geology (geological surveys), ethnography (BIA), science and
engineering (NASA, DOT), public health (FDA, CDC), and that's only a sample.

In the larger world, while it might be helpful for some archivists to have a
history background, it's also true that a music archivist might need to know
something about music, an anthropological archivist might need to know
something about how anthropologists work, a geological survey archivist
might need to know something about how geological surveys are conducted, an
architectural archivist might need to know the difference between an
elevation and a plan, and a photographic archivist might need to be able to
distinguish tintypes from daguerreotypes.

Someone responsible for archival materials should have a professional-level
understanding of archival theory and practice. Once that is obtained, an
archivist can go on to specialize in any number of areas, including one of
the many different types of archives governments maintain. That, after all,
is an advantage of professional-level knowledge and training: in addition to
giving you skills, it also gives you flexibility, alternatives, and career
options.

Lee

----
Leon C. Miller, Manuscripts Librarian
Special Collections, Jones Hall
Tulane University Libraries
New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
ph: 504-865-5685, fx: 504-865-5761, [log in to unmask]
http://specialcollections.tulane.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2006 10:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: History versus library degrees


I've read most of the recent posts about archivists, librarians, etc. and
have found the discussion very interesting.

To some extent, whether you focus on getting advanced degrees in history or
library science depends on where you plan to work.  I know, I know, you
can't
really plan your life!  But here are a few thoughts.

I agree with Richard Cox that a strong educational background in archives
and
information science -- solid grounding in the fundamentals and attainment of
good credentials -- are important.  Beyond that, you need to think about the
type of work you are interested in.

If you hope to work as a processing or reference archivist with the a
government entity (such as the National Archives, which unfortunately is
vulnerable to hiring freezes in the current budget envirnoment), an advanced
degree in history is useful.

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