Archival Inquiry

Research as an inquiry can be used as an effective tool to the contentious issue of the availability of archives to the public.  Public awareness of archives is important, but at what expense?  Archives are fiercely protected by collectors and curators, but this comes with a measure of discomfort as people do not feel at ease, or even that it is their right to look through documents. 

The questions put to students should addres the issue of availing archival pieces to the public by gathering and using information that  will have a positive impact on the archivist and the user.

 

Knowledge Practices:

 

1                     Determine an appropriate scope of investigation;

2                     deal with complex research by breaking complex questions into simple ones, limiting the scope of investigations;  using various research methods (survey)

3                     organise information in meaningful ways;

 

 

Activities

 

1              Students will have a discussion on the following;

                Problems  to address:

•       Do archivists keep enough data on users / study their users informational patterns;

•       archives do not receive sufficient use to justify their expense;

•       archivists do not advertise their services, rarely engage in efforts to build a client base

 

 

2      Students must conduct research by asking simple questions, so that they can limit their focus to reach a resolution.   Students can do a survey on people who have used archive material before or who would wish to, in so doing, they will gain multiple perspectives when gathering information.  Questions that can lead to further investigation:

•       Who are the users who will make use of archival material?

•       What kinds of projects they pursue / what are their information needs?

•       How do users approach records?

•       What they do with their results?

•       Does it have an impact on a community or on a personal level?

 

Students will (in groups) then identify the gaps that exist between the user and the holders of archival material, possibly look at user education so that the user will understand the terms and conditions and the holder of archival material will be more at ease about making material accessible to the public.

Students can organise their findings on user education in a meaningful way by :

•       making holdings known -- be aware of users disciplinary/professional fields and identify intellectual gaps that could be filled by repository’s holdings;

•       organise seminars on archival work or research methods

•       and investigate the digitization of material for a wider audience

 

 

This level of inquiry should then lead to more questions being asked and to further investigation so that archives remain an integral part of the historical fabric of any institution who wishes to maintain it. 

 

 

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