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The Lone Arranger: Succeeding in a Small Repository
For many, old photo albums, letters, yearbooks, and diaries aren’t merely memorabilia that can be stashed in an attic. Rather, these items are to be savored—they provide clues to the past and connect us to people, even those we’ll never have the chance to meet. These collectibles deserve to be preserved and made accessible to a wider audience because they have historical value. Same goes for business correspondence, meeting minutes, and annual reports. If you are a “lone arranger”—the only one responsible for such activity at your organization—then you need to know how best to manage your archives.
In The Lone Arranger: Succeeding in a Small Repository, Christina Zamon gives newcomers and seasoned archivists alike guidance on how to manage historical collections with limited human resources. Zamon, who is the head of Archives and Special Collections at Emerson College in Boston, offers practical tips to address a range of topics, from effectively utilizing the new advances in technology to manage your collections to donor relations and fundraising , disaster preparedness, records management, and managing volunteers.
In addition, a dozen archivists representing diverse backgrounds, institutional settings, and geographic locations offer case studies that discuss the challenges they faced when they found themselves responsible for the full spectrum of archives work with limited or no paid staff to assist.
Whether you’re the archivist in a one-person shop or manage a collection at home, you’ll find yourself in good company with Zamon’s sound advice on preserving priceless collectibles and historical materials for generations to come.
In The Lone Arranger: Succeeding in a Small Repository, Christina Zamon gives newcomers and seasoned archivists alike guidance on how to manage historical collections with limited human resources. Zamon, who is the head of Archives and Special Collections at Emerson College in Boston, offers practical tips to address a range of topics, from effectively utilizing the new advances in technology to manage your collections to donor relations and fundraising , disaster preparedness, records management, and managing volunteers.
In addition, a dozen archivists representing diverse backgrounds, institutional settings, and geographic locations offer case studies that discuss the challenges they faced when they found themselves responsible for the full spectrum of archives work with limited or no paid staff to assist.
Whether you’re the archivist in a one-person shop or manage a collection at home, you’ll find yourself in good company with Zamon’s sound advice on preserving priceless collectibles and historical materials for generations to come.
157 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 20, 2017
I'm quite thankful for this book. Some months ago, my denomination's archivist withdrew from the position, and I've managed to find myself overseeing the denomination's archives (having previously been the most avid and frequent user thereof anyway). Needless to say, though, I have no particular training and background in the field.
So I thought I'd start with this, which of all the relevant literature is perhaps the most finely tuned to my situation: a solitary archivist (or 'lone arranger,' which Zamon says is "an unusual, yet not uncommon position" [5]), who must perform triage on many tasks with essentially no budget whereof to speak. And in that, it's a helpful and relevant introduction to archival principles and practice - with (and this is key!) gracious modifications for the situation at hand. Unfortunately, only a couple pages are spent on the stage I'm primarily at: processing/inventorying existing collections (see pp. 31-33).
Still, all in all, an invaluable resource, especially for smaller archives.
So I thought I'd start with this, which of all the relevant literature is perhaps the most finely tuned to my situation: a solitary archivist (or 'lone arranger,' which Zamon says is "an unusual, yet not uncommon position" [5]), who must perform triage on many tasks with essentially no budget whereof to speak. And in that, it's a helpful and relevant introduction to archival principles and practice - with (and this is key!) gracious modifications for the situation at hand. Unfortunately, only a couple pages are spent on the stage I'm primarily at: processing/inventorying existing collections (see pp. 31-33).
Still, all in all, an invaluable resource, especially for smaller archives.
February 14, 2018
With The Lone Arranger, Christina Zamon succeeds in doing the unthinkable in academic publishing; writing a practical and usable book. Before reading this book, I had not defined myself as a "Lone Arranger," in fact, I thought, because I do not work in an official archive, that I am not an archivist at all. This all changed after reading Zamon's book.
Skillfully, the author covers all the major issues an archivist needs to go-it-alone in a small repository, creating policy, appraising and processing collections, digitization, budgeting, etc., etc. This is accomplished with case studies from real archives on how these tasks are accomplished.
I have come away from this book feeling less alone and more empowered to do the work I need to do.
Bravo!
Skillfully, the author covers all the major issues an archivist needs to go-it-alone in a small repository, creating policy, appraising and processing collections, digitization, budgeting, etc., etc. This is accomplished with case studies from real archives on how these tasks are accomplished.
I have come away from this book feeling less alone and more empowered to do the work I need to do.
Bravo!
February 8, 2020
Excellent tips for those working alone or with few other people, or for starting an archives. The electronic records chapter is well-organized and prompts a number of questions to ask when exploring different systems.
June 14, 2026
“Solo archivists” are typically found in relatively small institutions, with community colleges, small universities, local historical and genealogical societies, and religious archives being among the most common. They don’t necessarily work alone in the literal sense, as some employ volunteers, student interns and/or paraprofessionals.
Author Christina Zamon worked as a solo archivist for six years (at Boston’s Emerson College) and wrote the 2012 book THE LONE ARRANGER: SUCCEEDING IN A SMALL REPOSITORY. ALONE IN THE STACKS is a new edition of that book, published in 2024. I haven’t seen any copies of THE LONE ARRANGER, but 12 years does seem a sufficient time span for an update. Certainly, professional literature and practices concerning digital records alone have greatly changed.
She does seem to have put considerable effort into the updates. For each chapter, e.g., she includes a list of “Selected Readings,” and most are from the last ten years. She has also compiled an updated list of various resources, on topics such as “Networking” (with contact information of national, state and regional organizations), “Continuing Education Opportunities,” “Copyright and Other Legal Issues,” “Disaster Planning,” “Financial Resources” (including those on fundraising, grants and grant writing), “Digitization,” “Digital Preservation” and more. Naturally, some information will be outdated in a few more years (in which case, Zamon can create yet another edition!), but much will remain viable for some time. This will, if nothing else, give a solo archivist “a place to start.”
In the preface, Zamon states that she consulted with solo archivists, and some contributed new case studies. These studies illustrate how a successful approach can look while also attaching relatable human beings to the proceedings. Zamon repeatedly stresses the importance of professional connections, and the case studies underscore that point.
Every case study won’t be relevant to every reader, but then, every topic won’t apply to every solo archivist, either. No book can cover every conceivable situation, but Zamon’s pretty thorough. Solo archivists will find information - including tips and the aforementioned resources - on, among other matters, policies and procedures, archival records appraisal, arrangement and description, inter-institutional collaborations, collections management software, digitization, digital preservation, archiving electronic records, copyright and intellectual property, privacy and confidentiality, recruiting and managing interns and volunteers, space planning and management, community outreach and engagement, donor relations, budgeting and financing, and….you get the idea. As an aside, I applaud Zamon on her “Conclusion” sections (She has one in each chapter and one to the book as a whole), as they are nicely succinct, and she consistently highlights the salient points.
I purchased this book, because I recently became a solo archivist. Despite 27 prior years of professional archival experience, “going it alone” seemed daunting. ALONE IN THE STACKS gave me a refresher on “the basics,” but also a chance to step back and look at the bigger picture. There’s a lot to remember, and always a lot to do with usually not enough time to do it. Yet, I take solace in a couple of Zamon’s recurring points (Note that I’m paraphrasing her here): 1) doing what you can is better than doing nothing at all, and 2) even a solo archivist isn’t truly alone, as other archivists will share experiences and resources and offer advice (The latter quality, in fact, is something that I’ve always liked about the profession.).
Given that last point, I should perhaps note that I do not know Zamon on a personal basis. She did sign my copy of this book when I purchased it from her at the Society of American Archivists 2025 annual meeting. That, however, is the total extent of my interactions with her, and her name was not familiar to me beforehand.
Regardless, I am quite impressed with her work here. I recommend ALONE IN THE STACKS both for beginning archivists and for experienced archivists who, like me, appreciate a review and “a big picture” perspective. I might well be consulting this book again upon occasion, and I’m considering buying copies for both my volunteer and my archives assistant.
Author Christina Zamon worked as a solo archivist for six years (at Boston’s Emerson College) and wrote the 2012 book THE LONE ARRANGER: SUCCEEDING IN A SMALL REPOSITORY. ALONE IN THE STACKS is a new edition of that book, published in 2024. I haven’t seen any copies of THE LONE ARRANGER, but 12 years does seem a sufficient time span for an update. Certainly, professional literature and practices concerning digital records alone have greatly changed.
She does seem to have put considerable effort into the updates. For each chapter, e.g., she includes a list of “Selected Readings,” and most are from the last ten years. She has also compiled an updated list of various resources, on topics such as “Networking” (with contact information of national, state and regional organizations), “Continuing Education Opportunities,” “Copyright and Other Legal Issues,” “Disaster Planning,” “Financial Resources” (including those on fundraising, grants and grant writing), “Digitization,” “Digital Preservation” and more. Naturally, some information will be outdated in a few more years (in which case, Zamon can create yet another edition!), but much will remain viable for some time. This will, if nothing else, give a solo archivist “a place to start.”
In the preface, Zamon states that she consulted with solo archivists, and some contributed new case studies. These studies illustrate how a successful approach can look while also attaching relatable human beings to the proceedings. Zamon repeatedly stresses the importance of professional connections, and the case studies underscore that point.
Every case study won’t be relevant to every reader, but then, every topic won’t apply to every solo archivist, either. No book can cover every conceivable situation, but Zamon’s pretty thorough. Solo archivists will find information - including tips and the aforementioned resources - on, among other matters, policies and procedures, archival records appraisal, arrangement and description, inter-institutional collaborations, collections management software, digitization, digital preservation, archiving electronic records, copyright and intellectual property, privacy and confidentiality, recruiting and managing interns and volunteers, space planning and management, community outreach and engagement, donor relations, budgeting and financing, and….you get the idea. As an aside, I applaud Zamon on her “Conclusion” sections (She has one in each chapter and one to the book as a whole), as they are nicely succinct, and she consistently highlights the salient points.
I purchased this book, because I recently became a solo archivist. Despite 27 prior years of professional archival experience, “going it alone” seemed daunting. ALONE IN THE STACKS gave me a refresher on “the basics,” but also a chance to step back and look at the bigger picture. There’s a lot to remember, and always a lot to do with usually not enough time to do it. Yet, I take solace in a couple of Zamon’s recurring points (Note that I’m paraphrasing her here): 1) doing what you can is better than doing nothing at all, and 2) even a solo archivist isn’t truly alone, as other archivists will share experiences and resources and offer advice (The latter quality, in fact, is something that I’ve always liked about the profession.).
Given that last point, I should perhaps note that I do not know Zamon on a personal basis. She did sign my copy of this book when I purchased it from her at the Society of American Archivists 2025 annual meeting. That, however, is the total extent of my interactions with her, and her name was not familiar to me beforehand.
Regardless, I am quite impressed with her work here. I recommend ALONE IN THE STACKS both for beginning archivists and for experienced archivists who, like me, appreciate a review and “a big picture” perspective. I might well be consulting this book again upon occasion, and I’m considering buying copies for both my volunteer and my archives assistant.
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August 17, 2023Really great, practical overview for anyone working in a small scale repository or starting a archive from scratch.
April 30, 2015
An excellent overview of work in a small repository, with many tips that would be helpful for a new archivist in any position. I liked the focus on adjusting ideal standards and practices to the reality of no money, no staff, and no time. Because it tries to cover everything, some sections are really just a general overview, but the well crafted bibliography and lists of resources are good supplements. The case studies were a great addition!
April 11, 2012
This is an excellent resource that I will revisit quite frequently while I am working on establishing an archive and continuing to expand it in the future. It has given me inspiration to work on not only current physical collections, but also work with digital collections in the future. I highly recommend this book to all aspiring and new professionals even those who feel a need for a refresher.
May 8, 2013
Really excellent work for professionals and anyone who has sole responsibility for taking care of collections. Christina covers a wide range of issues and challenges facing the lone arranger and leaves the reader feeling encouraged and empowered. Well-written and highly incisive, it is highly recommended.
July 12, 2012
The perfect book for the lonely archivist--especially those like me who have sort of ended up with a job they are not exactly trained for (but love). It covers pretty much everything you want to know clearly and concisely, and provides some helpful case histories and a lot of useful websites.
March 2, 2013
An excellent resource - covers all the bases with a realistic tone, gives voice to the common sense colleague that lone arrangers don't have. I will definitely be referring to this again.
August 13, 2014
Great if you need a beginners guide to archives. I think all small archives and museums should have a copy of this book. It is a great starting off point to better our historical collections.
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October 20, 2014Read by ACRL Member of the Week Sara Shutkin. Learn more about Sara on the ACRL Insider blog.
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April 26, 2012Read for review in College & Research Libraries
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews