Archival Studies

From Society of American Archivists (SAA) Graduate Program in Archival Studies Curriculum Guidelines: http://www2.archivists.org/prof-education/graduate/gpas/curriculum#.VzJhopMrKRs

Curriculum Areas	Bodies of Knowledge	Components
Core Archival Knowledge	Archival Functions	Appraisal and Acquisition Arrangement and Description Preservation Reference and Access Outreach and Advocacy Management and Administration
	The Archival Profession	History of Archives and the Archival Profession Records and Cultural Memory Ethics and Values
	Contextual Knowledge	Social and Cultural Systems Legal and Financial Systems Records and Information Management Digital Records and Access Systems
Interdisciplinary Knowledge		Information Technology Conservation Research Design and Execution History and Historical Methods Management Organizational Theory Liberal Arts and Sciences Allied Professions

From the Academy of Certified Archivists’ Role Delineation Statement:

(**http://www.certifiedarchivists.org/get-certified/role-delineation-statement.html?28e5bbf660cb545fc854f5c048c7be7c=e102217d4a39d7e10454df160ed2b032**)

General Knowledge Statements

Archivists know and can apply knowledge about:

K-1 the impact of social, cultural, economic, political, and technological factors on the evolution and characteristic of archival records and materials and their management.
K-2 the origins, development, and definitions of archival concepts, terms, principles, practices and methods.
K-3 the development of archival institutions and programs in society.
K-4 the similarities and differences in the administration of organizational archives, personal papers, and manuscript collections.
K-5 the physical and technological characteristics of archival records and materials and how these characteristics influence their appraisal, acquisition, preservation, and use.
K-6 archival theory, methodology, and practice appropriate for archival records and materials on all media.
K-7 the standards and accepted professional best practices that apply to archival work, including their rationale and implications.
K-8 the concepts of the life cycle of records and the records continuum.
K-9 the relationship between accepted professional policies and practices and institutional applications of these policies and practices.
K-10 how the core archival functions (selection, appraisal, and acquisition; arrangement and description; reference services and access; preservation and protection; and outreach, advocacy and promotion) relate to each other and influence the administration of archival records and materials.
K-11 the different institutional settings in which archival programs may exist and the implications of placement within a particular institution.
K-12 how the administration of archives is related to, different from, and draws upon the theory, methodology, and practice of such allied professions and disciplines as: history, library and information science, records management, museology, historic preservation, historical editing, and oral history.
K-13 how archival theory, methodology, and practice are influenced and affected by evolving electronic and other technologies.

Domain 1: Selection, Appraisal, and Acquisition

Task 1 Identify sources of archival records and materials by applying knowledge about subjects, individuals, organizations, and others that create, receive and accumulate archival records and materials appropriate for acquisition.
Task 2 Establish, maintain, and keep a record of communication(s) with creators and/or potential donors of archival records and materials.
Task 3 In determining the acquisition of archival records and materials, identify and evaluate record characteristics.
Task 4 Appraise archival records and materials for their long term retention.
Task 5 Implement disposition recommendations or decisions through legal instruments such as schedules, deed of gift, purchase contracts, and deposit agreements.
Task 6 Promote cooperative acquisition and disposition strategies when appropriate.

Knowledge Statements

Archivists know and can apply knowledge about:

K-101 how the mission and holdings of archival repositories relate to selection, appraisal and acquisition.
K-102 techniques for locating and surveying potential acquisitions.
K-103 the evolution, nature, and variety of recordkeeping systems and practice.
K-104 factors in determining official records or record copy through appraisal techniques and retention scheduling.
K-105 factors that should be considered when defining collecting or accessioning areas and developing an acquisition or collection policy.
K-106 solicitation and negotiation techniques, including ways of educating document creators about the importance of preserving archival records and materials.
K-107 laws, policies, regulations, procedures, legal instruments, and ethical standards relating to acquisitions.
K-108 the values of records such as evidential, informational, administrative, legal, fiscal and intrinsic.
K-109 the past, current, and potential uses of archival records and materials.
K-110 inventorying, scheduling, appraising, and disposition techniques.
K-111 selection, sampling, re-appraisal, weeding, and other techniques to reduce volume.
K-112 methods of deaccessioning and other techniques of internal disposal.
K-113 impact of technology on traditional methods of inventorying, scheduling, appraisal, and disposition.
K-114 selection and appraisal methodologies, including documentation strategy and functional analysis.
K-115 the characteristics of archival records and materials such as trustworthiness, authenticity, reliability, usability, and comprehensiveness, as well as form, uniqueness, and quantity.

Domain 2: Arrangement and Description

Task 1 Analyze the existing arrangement and description of archival records and materials and make decisions about any further arrangement and description that may be necessary.
Task 2 Design and implement an arrangement plan to either perfect the existing arrangement or establish a new one.
Task 3 Design and implement a descriptive plan to identify and explain the structure, context and content of archival records and materials to promote their accessibility.

Knowledge Statements

Archivists know and can apply knowledge about:

K-201 the complementary principles of provenance and original order.
K-202 the history and variety of recordkeeping systems and practices for all media.
K-203 the role of access and retrieval in making arrangement and description decisions.
K-204 the concept of hierarchical levels of arrangement.
K-205 the distinctions and relationships between physical and intellectual control of archival records and materials
K-206 the impact of technology on policies, practices, and methods for archival arrangement and description.
K-207 the levels, types, and components of finding aids within an overall description program.
K-208 the applicability of descriptive standards.
K-209 how the descriptive process may begin at or before records creation and continue throughout the life of archival records and materials.

Domain 3: Reference Services and Access

Task 1 Define the informational needs of users and keep abreast of current research trends and strategies.
Task 2 Develop policies and procedures designed to serve the information needs of various user groups, based on evaluation of institutional mandates and constituencies, the nature of the collections, relevant laws and ethical considerations, and appropriate technologies.
Task 3 Respond appropriately to user requests by providing information about and from archival records and materials and providing access to archival records and materials, making copies, referring to other sources, or providing an explanation for denying the request.
Task 4 Create, maintain, and periodically review records of user requests for self-evaluation and planning purposes.

Knowledge Statements

Archivists know and can apply knowledge about:

K-301 issues and elements of archives user services, including policies and procedures governing access, reference services, and reproduction.
K-302 laws, regulations, and ethical principles governing copyright, freedom of information, privacy, confidentiality, security, and equality of access.
K-303 research strategies, current and past interests, and trends of a wide variety of user groups.
K-304 reference strategies based on varying formats, media, and user needs.
K-305 the subject areas of an institution’s holdings, and how they relate to holdings in other repositories.
K-306 developing policies and procedures for safeguarding archival records and materials while in use based on accepted best practices which provides security and accommodates reasonable researcher needs within research rooms.
K-307 techniques for effectively handling repeat requests on the same or similar topics using established tools.

Domain 4: Preservation and Protection

Task 1 Analyze the current physical condition of archival records and materials to determine appropriate preservation priorities and actions.
Task 2 Make and implement appropriate preservation and conservation decisions about reformatting handling techniques, laboratory treatments, data migration, data conversion, and referrals to technical experts.
Task 3 Apply best practices for long-term storage of archival records and materials using proper containers, encasements, shelving, and maintaining environmental controls.
Task 4 Ensure the security of archival records and materials regardless of format from damage, destruction, theft, and other forms of loss.
Task 5 Prepare and implement procedures for disaster prevention, response and recovery.

Knowledge Statements

Archivists know and can apply knowledge about:

K-401 the nature of materials’ treatment and current preservation techniques.
K-402 the causes and consequences of the deterioration of various media and formats.
K-403 the elements of preservation management and preservation planning, including environmental monitoring, disaster planning, in-house conservation, reformatting, data migration, data conversion, and services available through outside vendors.
K-404 the elements of security management and risk assessment.
K-405 when to preserve archival records and materials in their original format or structure, and when to replace originals with reproductions in the same and/or different media or format.
K-406 the range of preservation options and the application of each to archival records and materials on different media.

Domain 5: Outreach, Advocacy, and Promotion

Task 1 Promote the use of archival records and materials through public and educations programs.
Task 2 Develop an understanding of, and support for, the archival program among resource allocators, key constituents, potential donors, allied professionals, and other internal and external stakeholders to the archives’ parent organization.
Task 3 Develop and participate in programs that draw directly from archival records and materials to support such activities as exhibitions, conferences, publications, and editorial projects.
Task 4 Develop and participate in efforts to publicize archival collections and repositories.

Knowledge Statements

Archivists know and can apply knowledge about:

K-501 the variety of uses of archival records and materials, the benefits of such uses, and methods of imparting this information to potential users.
K-502 the range of approaches that might be taken to advance public understanding of archival work and programs.
K-503 methods of presenting archival records and materials, or information from or about them, in the most effective and efficient manner.
K-504 methods of articulating to resource allocators the benefits of the establishment and continued support of an archival program in an organization.
K-505 methods of collaborating with other departments or units within the archives’ parent organization to enhance or further archival work.

Domain 6: Managing Archival Programs

Task 1 Development of a strategic vision for an archival program, establish priorities, continually assess progress toward that vision, and make adjustments as environments and resources change.
Task 2 Assess staffing needs, recruit appropriate personnel, and train staff; support professional development; and ensure that the staff works together to fulfill the archives’ mission.
Task 3 Participate fully in budget processes and assess financial performance.
Task 4 Identify facility and equipment needs, and prepare and implement plans to meet those needs.
Task 5 Create policies, standards, and procedures that define and facilitate the range of activities in archival programs.
Task 6 Use appropriate technologies to manage an archival program.

Knowledge Statements

Archivists know and can apply knowledge about:

K-601 planning models and assessment tools, and their role in an archival program.
K-602 institutional structures, cultures, and values; and the role of archival programs within these institutions and structures.
K-603 basic principles and procedures for managing appropriate for an archival program.
K-604 current archival education standards for graduate and continuing education as well as other professional development options and certification programs.
K-605 basic financial planning techniques appropriate for an archival program.
K-606 legal requirements that affect the management of archival programs.
K-607 space and resource management techniques for an archival program.
K-608 the application and impact of evolving technologies and information systems on the overall archival program.
K-609 methodologies for gathering and evaluating data about archival functions within one’s own program and programs of other institutions.
K-610 sources of professional and technical advice and other assistance.
K-611 internal and external funding sources.

Domain 7: Professional, Ethical, and Legal Responsibilities

Task 1 Keep abreast of current issues in the field of archival history, theory, and practice through such activities as reading professional literature, attending conferences, and participating in continuing education programs.
Task 2 Contribute to the development of the archival profession through such means as conducting research, publishing, making public presentations, and participating in professional organizations.
Task 3 Respect all statutory and regulatory requirements relating to archival records and materials.
Task 4 Conform to professional standards.

Knowledge Statements

Archivists know and can apply knowledge about:

K-701 international, national, regional, and local organizations whose activities include archival concerns.
K-702 research and literature relating to archival history, theory, methodology, and practice.
K-703 the influence of social, cultural, economic, political, and legal environments upon the responsibilities of archivists.
K-704 laws, regulations, and ethical considerations governing loans, deposits, exchanges, and gifts to institutions, including tax considerations.
K-705 laws, regulations, and ethical considerations governing reference services and access to archival records and materials, including but not limited to, copyright, freedom of information, privacy, confidentiality, security, and equality of access.
K-706 the uses of archival records and materials as legal evidence in courts, and the standards applied for legal admissibility.
K-707 laws and regulations defining public records and governing their retention, accessibility, integrity, formats, and disposition.
K-708 laws, regulations, contractual obligations, and ethical considerations governing personal papers.
K-709 archival and information professional codes and standards, including but not limited to the Code of Ethics of the Society of American Archivists and the SAA/ALA joint statement on Standards for Access to Research Materials in Archival and Manuscript Repositories.