Long Island University Palmer School of Library and Information Science LIS 714 "Archives and Manuscripts" Spring 2011 Michele Hiltzik, Adjunct Faculty Course Description and Requirements Bulletin Description Identification, preservation, and use of archival materials. Emphasis on the organization and administration of archival collections and departments of archives in various types of institutions. Palmer School Objectives Met By This Course Identify information needs of society through the application of principles of organization, selection, and evaluation of information resources. Exhibit comprehension of the varied missions and organizational patterns in libraries and information agencies and their interrelationships. Recognize the importance of the contributions of other fields of knowledge to the profession, ethical behavior, and commitment to the ideals of intellectual freedom. Specific Course Objectives Make clear the similarities and differences among librarians, archivists, and records managers. Present the basic skills required of an archivist or curator of manuscripts. Review and discuss key articles in the archival literature. Course Methods The class will be composed of both theory and practice. Since archival management is as much an art as a science, it is important to be able to apply the theory to real-life situations. During class time usually there will be a review of the textbook, followed by a number of case studies, discussion problems, or exercises.
LIS 714 2 Course Requirements Each student will be required to demonstrate knowledge of both theory and practice. This will be done through weekly written summaries of assigned readings, class discussion of case studies and exercises, and completion of a take-home final examination. In terms of the written summaries of readings, beginning February 2 nd, each student must submit a summary of the assigned articles (not the textbook). The summaries should include the author s main points and why the article is important for archival management. The summary of each article should be 100-120 words. (There are 10 weekly assignments worth 4 points each.) The final examination will be distributed two weeks before the end of the semester. All assignments must be typed. Please use a 12-point font, double-spaced, no skipped lines between paragraphs, and with a one-inch margin on all sides. I consider deadlines to be important. Therefore any assignment that is late will be penalized one grade (an A will become a B+, a B+ will become a B, etc.) Exceptions will be granted only in cases of medical or other emergencies. The course grade will be determined as follows: Written summaries of readings: 40% Class discussions and participation: 10% Take-home final examination: 50%. Course Readings The textbook for the course is: Gregory S. Hunter, Developing and Maintaining Practical Archives, Second Edition (New York: Neal-Schuman, 2003). A recommended book is: Randall C. Jimerson, ed., American Archival Studies: Readings in Theory and Practice (Chicago: Society of American Archivists, 2000) The books were ordered through the university bookstore. It also is available from the Society of American Archivists in Chicago at 312-606-0722 or 866-722-7858 (www.archivists.org). SAA offers a student membership that entitles one to discounts on publications. Additional readings are available through the on-line version of the American Archivist available through the Society of American Archivists. Some of the readings are also found in the recommended book Randall Jimerson s American Archival Studies: Readings in Theory and Practice.
LIS 714 3 Making Contact I would be happy to meet at any time throughout the semester. Please feel free to contact me directly to arrange a time for a meeting. My direct telephone line (with voice mail) is (914)366-6342. My e-mail address is: mhiltzik@rockarch.org. E-mail is the best way to contact me.
LIS 714 4 Class Schedule Spring 2011 DATE TOPIC, READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS January 19 Introduction to Class. Differences Between Archives and Libraries. January 26 Hunter, Gregory S. Developing and Maintaining Practical Archives [Practical Archives], Chapter 1. Conducting a Survey and Starting an Archives. Practical Archives, Chapter 2 Ham, F. Gerald. The Archival Edge. American Archivist [AA], 38:1 (January 1975), 5-13. Fleckner, John A. Dear Mary Jane: Some Reflections on Being an Archivist. AA 54:1 (Winter 1991), 8-13 OR In Randall Jimerson, ed., American Archival Studies: Reflections in Theory and Practice [American Archival Studies], 21-28. O Toole, James M. The Symbolic Significance of Archives. AA 56:2 (Spring 1993), 234-255 OR American Archival Studies, 47-72. February 2 Highly recommended: O Toole, James M. Understanding Archives and Manuscripts. Chicago: SAA, 1992. Selection and Appraisal. Article Review #1 Due. Practical Archives, Chapter 3 Rapport, Leonard. No Grandfather Clause: Reappraising Accessioned Records. AA 44:2 (Spring 1981), 143-150. O Toole, James M. On the Idea of Uniqueness. AA 57:4 (Fall 1994), 632-658 OR American Archival Studies, 245-277. February 9 Highly recommended: Boles, Frank. Selecting and Appraising Archives and Manuscripts. (Archival Fundamental Series II). Chicago: SAA, 2005. Acquisitions and Accessioning. Article Review #2 Due. Practical Archives, Chapter 4. Samuels, Helen Willa. Who Controls the Past. AA, 49:2 (Spring 1986) 109-124 OR American Archival Studies, 193-210. Cox, Richard J. The Archivist and Collecting: A Review Essay. AA 59:4 (Fall 1996), 496-512.
LIS 714 5 February 16 Arrangement. Article Review #3 Due. February 23 Highly recommended: Roe, Kathleen D. Arranging and Describing Archives and Manuscripts. (Archival Fundamental Series II). Chicago: SAA, 2005. Description. Article Review #4 Due. Practical Archives, Chapter 5. Schellenberg, T.R. Principles of Arrangement. National Archives Staff Information Paper 18 (1951). Available at: http://www.archives.gov/research/alic/reference/archivesresources/principles-of-arrangement.html Holmes, Oliver W. Archival Arrangement: Five Different Operations at Five Different Levels. (1964) Available at: http://www.archives.gov/research/alic/reference/archivesresources/archival-arrangement.html Practical Archives, Chapter 6. Greene, Mark A. and Dennis Meissner. More Product, Less Process: Pragmatically Revamping Traditional Processing Approaches to Deal with Late 20 th -Century Collections. Available at: http://ahc.uwyo.edu/documents/faculty/greene/papers/greene- Meissner.pdf Krause, Magia Ghetu and Elizabeth Yakel. Interaction in Virtual Archives: The Polar Bear Expedition Digital Collections Next Generation Finding Aid. AA 70:2 (Fall/Winter 2007), 282-314. March 2 Preservation. Article Review #5 Due. Practical Archives, Chapter 7. O Toole, James M. On the Idea of Permanence. AA, 52:1 (Winter 1989), 10-25 OR American Archival Studies, 475-494. Conway, Paul. Archival Preservation Practice in a Nationwide Context. AA 53:2 (Spring 1990), 204-222. March 9 March 16 Highly recommended: Ritzenthaler, Mary Lynn. Preserving Archives and Manuscripts. Chicago: SAA, 1993. Security and Disaster Planning Practical Archives, Chapter 8. No readings to summarize No Class (Spring Recess)
LIS 714 6 March 23 Access, Reference, and Outreach. Article Review #6 Due. Practical Archives, Chapter 9. Freeman, Elsie. In the Eye of the Beholder: Archives Administration from the User s Point of View. AA 47:2 (Spring 1984), 111-123. Ericson, Timothy J. Building Our Own Iron Curtain: The Emergence of Secrecy in American Government. AA 68:1 (Spring/Summer 2005), 18-52. Highly recommended: Pugh, Mary Jo. Providing Reference Services for Archives and Manuscripts. (Archival Fundamental Series II). Chicago: SAA, 2005. March 30 Audiovisual Archives. Article Review #7 Due. Practical Archives, Chapter 11 Paton, Christopher Ann. Preservation Re-Recording of Audio Recordings in Archives: Problems, Priorities, Technologies, and Recommendations. AA, 61:1 (1998), 188-219 OR American Archival Studies, 519-546. Mifflin, Jeffrey. Visual Archives in Perspective: Enlarging on Historical Medical Photographs, AA 70:1 (Spring/Summer 2007), 32-69. April 6 Digital Records. Article review #8 Due. Practical Archives, Chapter 10. Bearman, David A. and Margaret Hedstrom. Reinventing Archives for Electronic Records: Alternative Service Delivery Options. American Archival Studies, 549-567. Hedstrom, Margaret. The Old Version Flickers More: Digital Preservation from the User s Perspective. AA 69:1 (Spring- Summer 2006), 159-187. Gilliland-Swetland, Anne. Testing Our Truths: Delineating the Parameters of the Authentic Archival Electronic Record. AA 65:2 (Fall-Winter 2002), 196-215.
LIS 714 7 April 13 April 20 April 27 Management. Article Review #9 Due. Practical Archives, Chapter 12 Jimerson, Randall C. Redefining Archival Identity: Meeting User Needs in the Information Society. AA 52:3 (Summer 1989), 332-340 OR American Archival Studies, 607-617. Grabowski, John J. Keepers, Users, and Funders: Building an Awareness of Archival Value. AA 55:3 (Summer 1992), 464-472 OR American Archival Studies, 619-629. Highly recommended: Kurtz, Michael. Managing Archival and Manuscript Repositories. (Archival Fundamental Series II). Chicago: SAA, 2004. Professional Development and Ethics. Article Review #10 due. Take Home Final Exam Distributed. Practical Archives, Chapter 13 Cox, Richard J. Professionalism and Archivists in the United States. AA 49:3 (Summer 1986), 229-247. Pacifico, Michelle F. Founding Mothers: Women in the Society of American Archivists, 1936-72. AA 50 (Summer 1987), 370-389. Adkins, Elizabeth. Our Journey Toward Diversity and a Call to (More) Action, AA 71:1 (Spring/Summer 2008), 21-49. Conclusion. Take Home Final Exam Due.