Jason Bell
Competency A
Articulate the ethics, values, and foundational principles of archives and records management professionals and appreciate the important role record keepers play in social memory and organizational accountability.
Introduction
The fundamental motivation for keeping and maintaining archival collections is to enable them to be used. Archivists must accommodate researcher while at the same time ensuring the physical protection of the records they hold. Thus the role of the Records Manager and the Archivists must maintain a balance in sharing society’s memories and holding organizations accountable while at the same time ensuring the integrity of the record. For this reason we archivist and record managers are obligated not only to be familiar with the history of records and practices maintained in the past, we too need to be vigilant seekers of ways to further the development of future archival and record management practices.
The formation of the Archivist Code by Wayne C. Grover Archivist of the United States from 1948 to 1965 Shows that our first duty is to preserve and protect the collection. The first three out of his seven points are to treat past records and current records with equal regard for preservation, be an active agent in selecting the correct records to be retained, and then to protect the records as best he or she can against threats such as environmental and human factors.
It is not until Grover’s third point that he illustrates the importance of promoting the records. The values of the Archivist shift from preservation to access. “He should work unremittingly for the increase and diffusion of knowledge, making his documentary holdings freely known to prospective users through published finding aids and personal consultation.” (Grover, National Archives) This shifts from continued development of current record preservation/retention policies to the development and continued education of ways to share archive and record collections. Finally, it is of great importance that this knowledge acquired by an archivist is not to be retained but shared to the best of their ability with his or her peers.
Supporting Evidence
The course work I chose to illustrate my understanding of maintaining a balance of record integrity and availability include a PowerPoint on the importance of developing a risk management policy in insuring high dedication to standards in a way that can be easily followed and implemented. The better Our collection management is the easier of a time we will have sharing our records with the greatest audience possible in the most inclusive way possible. Though there are cases where people like Brewster Kale, not always the bastion of proper standards and practices, does show us some new opportunities that may help pave the way digital information is preserved.
Knowing what risks there are to your collections can be as valuable as knowing what collections you have. In this presentation I share the importance of developing a risk management policy and how it will mitigate risks when they happen.
International Council of Archives/American Archivist
Increasing the responsibilities of an archivist/records manager is to create new standards that are inclusive of new informational trends. My second piece of evidence is a review of the International Council of Archives (ICA) which is intended to show that the ICA is inclusive of all archival organizations and encourages the exchange of ideas related to improving the standards of archival management across all national borders. “The Council’s ethos is to harness the cultural diversity of its membership to deliver effective solutions… “(About ICA, n.d. para. 3)
Finally, I chose to share my research paper on the Internet Archive established by Brewster Kale. While he does not always maintain adherence to all the archival standards it is important to recognize the extent to which he is able to harness the content shared and/or created on the internet.acquired by an archivist is not to be retained but shared to the best of their ability with his or her peers.
Conclusion
My point, like the seven basic tenets to the Archivist Code, is simple. There are two main qualities Record Managers and archivists must base all their actions on. First is to protect those records entrusted to us to the best of our ability. Second is to disseminate the records in our care to an agreed upon audience in the most rapid way possible. As Archivists and Record Managers we are bound to adapt to the rapid development of how records are created and plan for their security by staying abreast of current best practices. But what if following every single protocol hinders the long-term goal of securing the record and making it available to present and future researchers? Here I only share with you two out of many ways people are securing information. First the International Council of Archives (ICA) advocates the use of new technologies as a means to promote cultural diversity. Brewster Kale, though not the originator of open source material, has captured the most content and promotes an agenda of Universal Access to All Knowledge. Depending on your organization you may want to spend time reviewing what standards will best help account for their records. As an Archivists I will continue to preserve protect and promote social memory in a way that is inclusive of the diverse cultures that surround us.