Two representatives from Library and Archives Canada (the merged National Library and Archives of Canada) came to visit my university today. It was the first time in quite a long while that I felt inspired by the possibilities of an archival career. They spoke about getting employed at LAC, the nature of the work (a bit) and some other interesting subjects. They were also kind enough to visit my one of my Archives classes and speak about LAC's Web digitization projects and some other subjects.
It was also very gratifying to actually have a chance to ask questions from somebody who works there. Thus far, my only interaction with the institution has been via its website.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday, December 24, 2007
Still plugging along, brief technological observations
It has been about a month since I posted here. I'm still alive and kicking, but now I'm enjoying the Christmas break. Next semester, I have two Archives courses so that should be interesting.
In my part time archival work, I recently came across a number of computer diskettes from the 1980s; that means 5 1/4" format. Recovering data from these was a dicey proposition but not impossible since the Archivist retained one computer with an old floppy drive for just this purpose. To that end, I have been wondering about the preservation characteristics of different media. How does magnetic storage (e.g. a hard drive) compare to optical media (CDs/DVDs) versus flash memory (USB sticks, SD cards etc). I think there is some research out there in the first two types but I'm not aware of anything on the last kind.
Oh, one more note before I wrap up for the day. Next month, there is going to be a book released on the archives of the Hudson Bay Company Archives. It is Keepers of the Record:
The History of the Hudson's Bay Company Archives by
Deidre Simmons (published by Queen's-McGill University Press). It looks promising.
Merry Christmas to all!
In my part time archival work, I recently came across a number of computer diskettes from the 1980s; that means 5 1/4" format. Recovering data from these was a dicey proposition but not impossible since the Archivist retained one computer with an old floppy drive for just this purpose. To that end, I have been wondering about the preservation characteristics of different media. How does magnetic storage (e.g. a hard drive) compare to optical media (CDs/DVDs) versus flash memory (USB sticks, SD cards etc). I think there is some research out there in the first two types but I'm not aware of anything on the last kind.
Oh, one more note before I wrap up for the day. Next month, there is going to be a book released on the archives of the Hudson Bay Company Archives. It is Keepers of the Record:
The History of the Hudson's Bay Company Archives by
Deidre Simmons (published by Queen's-McGill University Press). It looks promising.
Merry Christmas to all!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Archival disputes over email date back to 1989
The question of how archivists should handle electronic records is rather odd. One gets the sense that electronic records are perennially new, that there is no prior experience with them. In a reading for one of my archives classes, I've just found out about a fascinating legal case from America.
The case was called Armstrong vs. the Executive Office of the President (1989). In brief, those who brought the suit argued that the President's office used an email system from 1985 and that these records were in danger of being destroyed and/or not being archived properly - the suit sought to demand preservation. Much of the case involves the specifics of the US political system, but some of it is relevant to other situations. For example, courts established that electronic records and hard copies versions of same are not equivalent. Indeed, one court ruled that electronic records are the fuller version. This fits well with something I've covered in class a number of times; the idea that a big part of an archival record is the context, the web of relationships from which it emerges.
The article concludes by looking at how to develop policies that handle email. Of course, then you get the problem of people dodging the requirements by only communicating (or mostly) orally. But that's a whole other kind of problem.
The case was called Armstrong vs. the Executive Office of the President (1989). In brief, those who brought the suit argued that the President's office used an email system from 1985 and that these records were in danger of being destroyed and/or not being archived properly - the suit sought to demand preservation. Much of the case involves the specifics of the US political system, but some of it is relevant to other situations. For example, courts established that electronic records and hard copies versions of same are not equivalent. Indeed, one court ruled that electronic records are the fuller version. This fits well with something I've covered in class a number of times; the idea that a big part of an archival record is the context, the web of relationships from which it emerges.
The article concludes by looking at how to develop policies that handle email. Of course, then you get the problem of people dodging the requirements by only communicating (or mostly) orally. But that's a whole other kind of problem.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Meeting chief archivists
Tomorrow afternoon, I will get to meet the chief archivist of New Zealand. Then, a few months from now, I will get to meet the Chief Archivist/Librarian of Canada. This should be quite interesting. Among other things, I am hoping that they can offer some concrete encouragement to counter all the bad things I'm hearing about the archives job market.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Depairing at my bad timing
Several times over the last few months, I have seen very interesting job postings for archival employment. As I am only in my first year of study (of a two year program), I cannot apply for these. Even worse, the old demon of the Catch-22 experience problem "this position requires x years experience" (but how do you get that experience?!) is omnipresent.
I have some part time and short term contract (<6 months) experience but I assume that this will not satisfy the "x years" requirements.
I have some part time and short term contract (<6 months) experience but I assume that this will not satisfy the "x years" requirements.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
White Lab Coats
While working at the small educational archive today, I felt rather uncomfortably cool due to the large AC unit. As a result, the powers that be mentioned that I might like to wear a white lab coat. It gave the whole enterprise a rather more scientific bent than it normally has.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Creativity gap plagues... archivists?
In today's Globe and Mail (a newspaper based in Toronto, Canada), there was an article titled, "Creativity gap plagues workers." In part, the article reads, "A good number of workers say they're creative types, but fewer say their jobs allow them to express that creativity, according to a recent survery. It's a conundrum that some say is leaving to a 'creativity gap' in the work force., leaving workers feeling unfilled and sometimes willing to job hop, occasionally for less pay." The survey sample is so small (+500) that is effectively meaningless, but I think the concern articulated here is an interesting one.
I have two kinds of reaction to this sort of claim. The first, cynical reaction is to metaphorically shrug my shoulders and think something like, "How sad for you - you can't be creative at work. There's a reason that it is called work. If you want creative, go write a damn novel or act in a play or something in your spare time." My other reaction concerns archival work. I have worked, in a rather junior capacity, in two archives now and the work is quite the opposite of creative. Some of my archives readings have argued that archivists play a creative role in creating records, through selection, appraisal and so forth but I wonder if archivists really have that much influence in what happens. In institutional archives (i.e. most archives), what is archived is often defined by somebody else in the organization (e.g. accountants, lawyers etc).
The question of the day: Are archivists creative workers? Is much creativity involved? Or to put my spin on this: Is it intellectually satisfying work for somebody with three university degrees or is it, as I sometimes fear, little more than glorified file clerks who have tried to inflate their status?
I have two kinds of reaction to this sort of claim. The first, cynical reaction is to metaphorically shrug my shoulders and think something like, "How sad for you - you can't be creative at work. There's a reason that it is called work. If you want creative, go write a damn novel or act in a play or something in your spare time." My other reaction concerns archival work. I have worked, in a rather junior capacity, in two archives now and the work is quite the opposite of creative. Some of my archives readings have argued that archivists play a creative role in creating records, through selection, appraisal and so forth but I wonder if archivists really have that much influence in what happens. In institutional archives (i.e. most archives), what is archived is often defined by somebody else in the organization (e.g. accountants, lawyers etc).
The question of the day: Are archivists creative workers? Is much creativity involved? Or to put my spin on this: Is it intellectually satisfying work for somebody with three university degrees or is it, as I sometimes fear, little more than glorified file clerks who have tried to inflate their status?
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