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Archivists appraise collections not to determine monetary value, but to determine the enduring value of the collection's content for research purposes. In order to provide the most appropriate range of content, archivists acquire resources that meet specific collecting criteria.
Organize and Store Collections
Arrangement
Collections seldom arrive in a condition that is easy to use or interpret.
Archivist Goals:
Retain important connections.
Clarify context.
Improve navigation.
Description
Tells you whether a collection is appropriate for your research interests.
Archivist Goals:
Provide background of collections.
Summarize collection content.
Identify potential research themes.
Preservation
Mitigates damage and deterioration to collections.
Archivist Goals:
Stabilize environmental conditions.
Re-format obsolete media and file types.
Ensure long-term access to collections.
Connect People and Resources
Reference
Helps patrons find and access relevant archival resources.
Instruction
Ensures patrons use the archives to the fullest potential by providing detailed, focused guidance.
Outreach
Promotes archives and archival resources through community engagement and collaboration.
