Finding a Sustainable Place for Archivists within the American Library Association: A Historical Survey
Lenstra, Noah
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/16601
Description
Title
Finding a Sustainable Place for Archivists within the American Library Association: A Historical Survey
Author(s)
Lenstra, Noah
Issue Date
2009-08-11
Keyword(s)
archivists
librarians
convergence
LAMs
cultural heritage
Professions
Abstract
The convergence trend compels many archivists, librarians and museum professionals to work
together closely. Although some claim this trend is caused by digital technology, many of the issues
influencing collaboration have a long history. An investigation into the attempts to find a place for
archivists within the American Library Association (ALA) offers a compelling portrait of how archivistlibrarian
relationships develop over time. This investigation offers lessons both for individual
archivists and for SAA in their attempts to build bridges across contemporary professional divides.
In terms of research methods, this paper “reads” archival history through the lens of “outsiders”
by focusing not on archives and archivists themselves, but rather on how archives and archivists
have been perceived and positioned in other societal venues over time. The theory grounding this
research comes from Louise Craven of The National Archives, UK. Craven recently posited that
archivists should seek to externalize their profession to find answers to contemporary problems:
“[by] looking outwards, rather than from the inside .... [comes] a new set of answers to the question
'What are archives?'” This research also draws on the work of Davd B. Gracy, II, and his 1984 SAA
presidential focus on “Archives in Society.” Finally, Robert L. Brubaker was in 1976 the first to
chart the history of interactions between ALA and archives/archivists.
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