What do Archivists do?

An Archivist would typically need to:

• Authenticate and assess historical and archive documents
• Maintain and preserve records and artefacts; some may be fragile, damaged, or weathered and require careful handling, repair, or conservation.
• Understand the historical and potential research significance of the documents to be archived.
• Catalogue collections, manage information and records, and retrieve them
• Make film and digital copies of important documents to keep them safe.
• Set and enforce policy rules for public access to archives to guarantee that these precious and necessary objects are not harmed.
• Find and acquire new items for their archives; raise awareness of their work through exhibitions, conferences, talks, and guided tours.
• Manage and supervise personnel and lead workers to assist in the arrangement, display, and maintenance of collections.
• Provide guidance and assistance to potential researchers on how to access, use, and understand archives.
• Be customer-focused and react to public, business, academic, and other user requests.
• Liaison with archive donors and depositors, bid for money and monitor budgets
• Keep track of various record-keeping systems and procedures for archival research and record retention or deletion.
• Maintain current knowledge of the most recent techniques for filing, indexing, and storing documents so that they are easily accessible to researchers and preserved for future generations.

Standard Work Environment

Archivists may work at a desk or with potential researchers, giving reference aid and instructional services, depending on the size of the institution and the position they occupy. They may work alone or in groups.

Computers, file systems, documents and materials, microfilm scanners, movies, film equipment, and specific document storage cabinets or shelves are all used by archivists. Archivists work with sensitive and important materials, thus they must adhere to strict dress codes when entering their office. The restrictions may vary depending on the employer.

Work Schedule

The majority of archivists work full-time. Those in government and industry often work throughout regular business hours.

Employers

Part-time and flexible working arrangements are conceivable in government and public sector organisations.

Archivists are generally employed by:

• National Archives
• Private Archives
• Museums
• Universities & Universities of Technology
• Art Galleries
• Charities
• Central Government Organizations
• Hospitals
• Religious Foundations
• Media Organizations
• Professional Organizations
• Specialist Repositories within the Private Sector

Unions / Professional Organizations

Professional groups and organisations, such as the International Council on Archives, are essential for anyone seeking professional growth or seeking to network with other professionals in their industry or career. Membership in one or more of these organisations looks great on your resume and helps to strengthen your credentials and qualifications as an archivist.

Workplace Challenges

• Managing electronic documents while devoting more resources to non-textual materials
• Recognizing that records are global while devising new methods for description and access
• Generating more research and expanding the resources on the archival aspects of information management
• Maintaining the profession’s role as a trusted guarantor of society’s interests
• Allergies to dust in some locations

Suggested Work Experience

Candidates that work part-time as interns or volunteers while or after finishing their school will have an advantage. Full-time positions require significant experience in collection management, research, exhibit design, restoration, and database management. Experience in any field including information management, customer service, or education may be beneficial. The dress code is formal.

Recommended Qualifications

It does not usually matter what your first degree was in, however, many archivists have degrees in history, law, classics, or English. It is preferable to have a master’s degree in history, history of art, anthropology, archaeology, library science, museum studies, Archival Science, political science, or public administration.

Postgraduate programmes are competitive; a solid honours degree and preceding job experience are preferred. The courses lead to a nine-month postgraduate diploma, which is the minimal requirement for employment as a professional Archivist, or a full one-year master’s degree if a dissertation is completed.

Certifications, Licenses and Registration

The majority of employers do not require certification. Some archivists may choose to obtain voluntary certification in order to demonstrate knowledge in a specific subject. The Certified Archivist certificate is awarded by the Academy of Certified Archivists to candidates who have a master’s degree, professional archival experience, and pass an exam. The certificate must be renewed on a regular basis.

Projected Career Map

When seeking a promotion, an archivist is part of a tiny professional network; you may need some flexibility, both geographically and in the type of organisation you work for. Throughout your working life, you may encounter a range of roles and environments.

Many persons begin as assistant archivists before becoming full-fledged archivists. You may advance to senior positions with a more prominent management role encompassing finances, staff, and strategy. Senior managerial positions in major organisations may be filled by people with significant business or financial experience from outside the sector. You could pursue a profession in archiving, conservation and records management, archive conservation, genealogy, or historical research. Developing your management abilities may increase your chances of advancement.

With expertise, chances for self-employment and contract work may exist, particularly in the religious, charitable, and economic sectors, as well as private people and trusts.

Job Prospects

Because of the huge number of eligible applicants per job position, there is healthy competition. Graduates with highly specialised training, a master’s degree, and internship or volunteer experience are likely to have the best job opportunities.

Beneficial Professional Development

A qualified archivist is urged to pursue professional development in order to improve abilities, expand specialist knowledge, and make contacts. Meetings, conferences, and workshops offered by archive, historical, and museum groups provide opportunities for continuing education. Some large corporations provide in-house training.

Conclusion

A researcher may refer to only a subset of the material being archived. They are the true treasures of humanity, more valuable than all the gold stored in bank vaults. Archives bring to life actual and compelling experiences, viewpoints, and contributions that can change minds, provide comfort, develop a sense of belonging, alter the path of public policy, educate and inform the public, or simply share an incredibly good story. Archives have an impact.

Advice from the Wise

It is dependent on those who pass. I’m not sure if I’m a tomb or a treasure. Whether I talk or remain silent is entirely up to you. Do not enter without desire, my friend. Archives are the most valuable of our national assets; they are a gift from one generation to the next, and the breadth of our care reflects the reach of our civilisation.

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