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 > 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]> > 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) 310-548-7562 (main office) 310-548-2649 (fax) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com 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]>