Love History? Become an Archivist!

Many people get libraries and archives confused. While there are some similarities, the two are distinctly different. Libraries typically offer a variety of materials, including popular and new releases, that can be easily repurchased if lost or damaged. On the other hand, archives preserve unique and often irreplaceable records—letters, minute books, photographs, audio and video and audio recordings—that document how people, institutions, and communities lived and worked.

Governments usually maintain archives of their important documents, such as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in the United States, and many organizations maintain their own institutional archives, such as the Coca-Cola Archives. Some archives contain documents that originally belonged to individuals, such as the Scott Polar Research Institute, which houses original diaries and letters written by polar explorers, including Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen.

Archives hold onto our history so we can see where we’ve come from. Historians rely on archives for their research, and if you’ve ever used a website like Ancestry to look into your family’s genealogy, then you’ve used archival records yourself. But these records don’t just keep themselves. They need well-trained and educated archivists to collect and preserve them.

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What Is an Archivist?

Archivists are trained professionals who assess, collect, organize, preserve, and provide access to records and materials of historical, cultural, or institutional value. They can work in a variety of settings, including libraries, museums, government agencies, universities, and private organizations. Some manage vast and varied collections, while others specialize in focused subject areas or formats, such as the Harlem Development Archive at the City College of New York.

There are different types of archives one can specialize in. For instance, digital archivists focus on metadata and digital preservation, both of which are becoming increasingly important. Museum archivists manage exhibition and artifact documentation, government archivists oversee public records, and corporate archivists preserve the history of brands and institutions.

An archivist’s primary responsibilities include appraising the significance of the records they encounter, arranging and cataloging them into collections, and ensuring the long-term preservation of those collections. They also help researchers, historians, and the public access them. In every setting, the goal is the same: preserving the historical record for future generations.

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What Skills Do Archivists Need?

There are many skills archivists must learn to perform their jobs well. To assess which records are worth preserving, they must have excellent research skills. To organize records within a collection and enable people to find and access them easily, they must also gain extensive knowledge of cataloging and metadata standards.

If an archive handles physical records, archivists have to learn specialized conservation techniques to preserve them. Many archives also house born-digital materials, which need to be preserved by regularly migrating them to new formats to maintain access as technology evolves.

Digitization is another core skill. Archivists often create digital copies of fragile physical records, which requires careful handling during scanning and ongoing maintenance of the resulting files.

Archivists also have to help people gain access to these preserved records. Whether assisting researchers in a reading room and helping people navigate online access systems, archivists rely on strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Archivists must also ensure legal and ethical compliance within their collections. They must be aware of privacy laws and intellectual property rights in case they have to restrict access to materials that may contain personal or confidential information. Copyright laws can also create complications with allowing access to digitized items available online. Understanding the legal status of materials helps archivists set responsible access policies.

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How Do I Become an Archivist?

Education

To start your career as an archivist, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree. It helps to have one in a relevant field, such as history, anthropology, museum studies, public administration, or library science. If you want to work in an archive with a specific focus, you might need to earn a degree in that subject area.

However, while some entry-level roles in archives may only need a bachelor’s degree, archivists typically require a master’s degree. Many earn graduate degrees in library science, history, museum studies, or archival studies, though requirements vary from state to state. 

Work Experience and Continuing Education

In addition to education, you will need practical experience working in an archive. You can begin by finding internships, practicums, or volunteer opportunities in places like museums, university archives, local historical societies, or government or municipal archives. These roles are often unpaid, but they build valuable skills and offer important networking opportunities.

The next step would be to find an entry-level position, such as an archives technician, records assistant, or digital asset coordinator. These early jobs can give you the experience to move on to higher-level positions, such as lead archivist, records manager, or archival program director.

Joining the Society of American Archivists (SAA) can provide great opportunities for continuing education and professional growth. They offer certificate programs, including the Digital Archives Specialist Certificate and the Arrangement & Description Certificate. Some universities also offer certificates for specialized training. SAA also maintains a list of professional organizations that support archivists throughout their careers.

If archival work sounds intriguing to you, consider pursuing educational programs like library science or archival studies. You can also reach out to archivists in your area to ask questions about the profession. It’s never too late to take the first steps toward a career in preserving our precious history.

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