Basics Of Archives

This course will provide students with practical knowledge and tools for starting an archive or caring for and managing historical records for the first time. The course will emphasize daily operations and policies; arranging, safely storing and preserving, and making historical records, photographs, audio-visual materials, and memorabilia accessible; copyright and privacy basics, and challenges and opportunities in establishing a strong archival program or significantly improving existing circumstances while providing excellent service to users.

Students will be able to:

• Manage archival collections
• Understand the principles and best practices of archival policies and procedures and develop or improve their own archival policies and procedures
• Understand the reasons for archival appraisal, accessioning, arrangement, and description and be able to carry out these processes
• Implement appropriate preservation and storage conditions and practices
• Implement and maintain archive security 
• Use techniques and best practices of outreach and managing digital media pertaining to archives

Course Audience:  This is intended as an “Archives 101” course for those who are beginning new responsibilities for archives or special or local history collections with little or no archival experience or training.