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Creating a Local Hist Archive
Archival collections at public libraries present their own challenges distinct from other library materials, but they also offer the promise of unique connections between the library and its users, particularly when the archives relate to local history. Written by an archivist and librarian with hands-on experience in multiple archival and manuscripts repositories, this concise guidebook presents best practices for the acquisition, access, and care of local history materials in public libraries. Providing guidance on creating a new archive as well as reinvigorating an existing one, it addresses This book will help public librarians and archivists give their local history archive the care and attention it so richly deserves.
161 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 15, 2019
I work pretty regularly in the Local History room at the library I work for and this book is a blessing from the library deities. Faye Phillips gave me a wonderful overview of the practice of building a Local History archive and then plenty of detail concerning tools and resources for handling the daily minutiae of handling the materials therein.
I did feel that the third chapter, which is a significant portion of this book, was far longer than I would have liked, and there were several passages that would have been better broken up into smaller more manageable sections. Still, this book is a wonderful resource for librarians and library employees to approach building a Local History room. Such resources can be vital and valuable for a community, not just because it enhances the materials of the library, but it can develop a space and community as somewhere that is worth researching and writing about. Local History rooms help build a sense of communal identity, and Phillips's book is sure to help libraries be part of this reality.
A wonderful introduction to an important facet of our society.
I did feel that the third chapter, which is a significant portion of this book, was far longer than I would have liked, and there were several passages that would have been better broken up into smaller more manageable sections. Still, this book is a wonderful resource for librarians and library employees to approach building a Local History room. Such resources can be vital and valuable for a community, not just because it enhances the materials of the library, but it can develop a space and community as somewhere that is worth researching and writing about. Local History rooms help build a sense of communal identity, and Phillips's book is sure to help libraries be part of this reality.
A wonderful introduction to an important facet of our society.
December 21, 2018
Recently, I had the opportunity to work on a project as an archives intern in one of the county library systems here in the metro, bolstering my experience in archival work as a public librarian. I found this book to be invaluable to the project, a concise and straightforward guide to the principles of archival work, geared towards library staff who may have no background in the discipline.
In particular for a public library lacking their own archival trained specialist, Archivist Fay Philips guides library staff or volunteers through the entire archival process, using many templates and examples drawn from established public library archives. Providing structure on working with such important topics as the creation of policies and procedures like a collection development policy, processing, arrangement, description, and preservation of materials, each step is well explained and clear. All of the references and links to completed projects make it even more helpful.
What started as a pretty overwhelming sixty years or so of assorted records, documents, and photos became, with the support and assistance of library staff, a completed project that I was happy to be a part of.
In particular for a public library lacking their own archival trained specialist, Archivist Fay Philips guides library staff or volunteers through the entire archival process, using many templates and examples drawn from established public library archives. Providing structure on working with such important topics as the creation of policies and procedures like a collection development policy, processing, arrangement, description, and preservation of materials, each step is well explained and clear. All of the references and links to completed projects make it even more helpful.
What started as a pretty overwhelming sixty years or so of assorted records, documents, and photos became, with the support and assistance of library staff, a completed project that I was happy to be a part of.
November 27, 2019
This is an absolute gem of a book! Consider this a necessity for any public library or institution looking to start a local history collection or archive. Although small, there is a LOT to unpack here - from developing policies, to creating collections, to disaster planning, and then some.
Not exactly a step-by-step, but certainly a go-to guide. There are also loads of examples, references to other libraries and institutions, and other resources listed throughout every chapter so those looking for something that more closely suits their needs can find it.
HIGHLY recommended, and an excellent resource for any budding archivist or local history librarian!
Not exactly a step-by-step, but certainly a go-to guide. There are also loads of examples, references to other libraries and institutions, and other resources listed throughout every chapter so those looking for something that more closely suits their needs can find it.
HIGHLY recommended, and an excellent resource for any budding archivist or local history librarian!
August 12, 2018
Readable and useful! I had to return this before I really wanted to, but it was very well-organized, and gave specific real-life examples of the different policies and forms it suggested. It was also well focused on the daily reality of public libraries, large and small. Recommended.
August 11, 2020
Practical and easy to adopt. Mentions HMRC.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews