Introduction
Archives are records of the past. In local
government they may be a collection of public or corporate
documents. 'The archives' is also the place where archives
are kept.
Archivists are concerned with storing and preserving records of
local government matters. The post is found in all types of
authority except for district councils. In some places
archives are kept within the corporate services directorate.
Work Environment
Much of the work takes place in office or library
environments. Archive stores may be located in basements or
in modern rooms. Some records may be old and dusty. Most
posts will have a standard working week of 37 hours with the
possibility of occasional weekend/evening duties. Part-time
contracts are also possible as well as flexible working
arrangements.
Daily Activities
Archives are kept permanently to preserve the past and to
allow others to discover it. They can be in the form of files,
papers, books, photographs, drawings, maps, films, video and audio
tapes. On a daily basis, archivists are involved with methods
of classification - indexing, cataloguing and listing this material
so that staff and members of the public are able to find what they
want without too much trouble.
You may wish to see how your old railway cottage looked when it
was first built in the middle of the 19th century. Consult
the council archiveordnance survey maps, drawings and photographs
and you might be able to find out. But everything cannot be
stored, so archivists must select items that are suitable
forpreservation. They supervise the running of the public
search room and operation of the Records Office, interpreting
documents forarchive users.
Some archivists are expected to inspect archives on site (in old
buildings and churches, forexample)orbe involved in talks and
exhibitions. Material can be heavy, unwieldy, sometimes dirty
and covered in mould.
The work also involves managing budgets and working with other
staff, answering queries and helping the public to use collections
and access information. This would typically include people
working on exhibitions, presentations and media work (newspaper
articles, TV and radio programmes).
Skills & Interests
Archive administrators must be:
- committed to heritage;
- interested in IT and related technology;
- able to explain complex ideas in simple terms;
- good team players;
- able to manage budgets;
- logical thinkers (for sorting activities);
- sensitive to the confidential nature of some material.
Entry Requirements
The minimum requirement is a postgraduate diploma in
archive studies. Entry to postgraduate courses usually
requires a good first degree and for some a knowledge of Latin
and/or French. Most archivists are history graduates but any
subject may be acceptable.
Entry to Archive Studies postgraduate courses is very
competitive. Applicants with at least one year of relevant
experience are more likely to be accepted. Entry requirements
for degree courses are often relaxed for mature applicants.
Access courses are a common way in to degree courses.
Training
A few employers recruit graduates and provide in-service training
through the Society of Archivists' own diploma course. Many
larger archives employ staff to assist with their services.
NVQs are now available and some universities offer a professional
certification in archive studies.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Archive administration is a small, specialist profession.
Most archivists are employed by local government, central
government (national archives and museums, the British Library and
National Libraries of Scotland andWales), and specialist bodies
such as the National Maritime Museum and universities. Some
business organizations have their own repositories of mainly modern
records, and may employ specialist staff. Archivists can also work
for charitable bodies. Promotion depends on the employer.
Some, such as local and central government, offer a formal
career ladder, which allows progression to seniormanagement posts.
It may be necessary to move to gain access to higher level
jobs. Opportunities with small employers are likely to be
limited.
Further Information & Services
Archives & Records Association www.archives.org.uk
Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals www.cilip.org.uk
The Museums Association www.museumsassociation.org
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/)or in your
local library, careers officeor school careers library.