Archives 101

by Lois Hamill

Archives 101 is a manual for people who care for historical records, photographs, and collections and a textbook for those who want to learn. Lois Hamill provides practical, step-by-step guidance for managing all facets of archival collections, from acquisition, arrangement, and description to storage and security. The book also offers advice on how to integrate description in PastPerfect software with archival finding aids to optimize the strengths of each. Archives 101 is written for those who manage cultural collections regardless of their professional education or institution type. This comprehensive, practical, ready reference is authoritative yet accessible to all readers. It addresses all phases in the process of managing cultural collections including use by researchers, for exhibits, work with other specialists such as conservators or appraisers and more. The chapter on description incorporates the professional descriptive standard Describing a Content Standard (DACS) into finding aids. Guidance on the management of digitization projects for text documents and photographs includes equipment, technical specifications, file naming and management, workflow, delivery methods, and copyright with examples and forms. The Additional Reading/Resources features many new resources that are reliable and free, all URLs have been verified. A convenient Glossary, examples, forms and ready-reference appendices round out this handy volume.

Genres: Nonfiction

302 pages, Paperback

Published April 14, 2021

Reviews

[Josh Liller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for professional development purposes. I work in archives and collections, but I have less formal training than is probably typical and similiar resources I had easy access to felt a bit outdated. I was particularly interested in this book because the advice given is integrated with use of PastPerfect cataloging software, which I use. I found this to be an excellent guide: well-written, well-organized, lots of good advice and suggestions for more detailed reading. I got some small pointers and a few big things out of it. If you were to be starting with very little experience and/or trying to set up a new archives this seems like exactly the kind of 101 book you'd want.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely one I will be reviewing again over the years.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and easy to understand. A good refresher for those of us whose archives class was more than a few years ago. I plan to use a few chapters to orient student workers assigned to the archives and to reinforce in person training.