The American Archivist

Access and reference services are central to engaging with historical resources. As more people encounter archives for scholarly and avocational research, as part of creative pursuits, or to exercise their rights as citizens to access records, the possibilities for how collections are used will continue to evolve. Archivists need to be familiar with who their users are, understand why they're using archival collections, and engage in outreach so that they can provide excellent reference services. Reference and Access for Archives and Manuscripts outlines the various components of: providing physical, intellectual, and virtual access, acquiring reference knowledge and skills, navigating legal regulations and ethics, and designing use policies and effective outreach. Cheryl Oestreicher contextualizes how all of these components fit within other archival functions and offers strategies and detailed practices for creating comprehensive reference programs that archivists can adapt for any type of institution. Both new and experienced archivists will find Reference and Access for Archives and Manuscripts a solid foundation on which to add their own ideas for how to bring people into the archives as well as bring archives to the people. Readers are encouraged to examine these concepts and practices in conversation with others and to consider how archivists can continue to advance reference and access.

"The 28 essays reprinted in this volume represent significant recent American writings on archives and the role of archivists in modern society. The essays are arranged into nine parts: Understanding Archives and Manuscripts Archival History Selection and Documentation Appraisal Arrangement and Description Reference and the Use of Archives Preservation Electronic Records Management These articles provide important perspectives both on basic elements of archival practice and on fundamental principles in archival theory and methodology. In addition to these nine parts, there is an introduction and a list of contributors, which provide important context for the readings. "What deserves careful reading . . . is Jimerson's seventeen-page introduction. It is brilliant and worth the price of the entire volume. In it, Jimerson lays the groundwork for a commanding understanding of the thought and development of the profession in the two decades of the 1980s and 1990s." -Megan Sniffin-Marinoff,American Archivist (65:1).

Includes sections "Reviews of books" and "Abstracts of archive publications" (Western and Eastern Europe)

In Arranging and Describing Archives and Manuscripts, Dennis Meissner provides a solid foundation in the history, theory, and standards supporting arrangement and description. In addition, he clearly demonstrates the approaches, methods, and mechanics required to process archival collections.

An archival accessioning program is the keystone of responsible collection stewardship and essential to providing both equitable access and meaningful contextualization of archives. In Archival Accessioning, editor Audra Eagle Yun approaches the acquisition of materials as a holistically oriented, programmatic activity that establishes and maintains baseline control for archival holdings. Combining principles, best practice, and real-world examples from eleven archives practitioners, Archival Accessioning is a forward-thinking guide that archivists can apply in a variety of institutional settings. Those working with archives, special collections, and local history materials will learn how to Identify core components of archival accessioning and critically analyze this work, Establish a thoughtful and successful program for taking intellectual and physical custody of materials, and Adapt firsthand professional perspectives to improve or modify existing practices.