Archivists

Archivists are information professionals who appraise, acquire, preserve, describe, and provide access to records and other documentary materials. They manage archival collections in settings such as national and local government archives, libraries, universities, museums, corporate archives, and religious or community organizations. Core duties include accessioning new materials, arranging and describing holdings, creating finding aids and metadata, and implementing preservation strategies for both physical and digital objects. They also provide reference services and outreach to researchers, students, and the public.

Archivists apply appraisal policies to determine what to retain and for how long, balancing historical value, legal requirements, privacy concerns, and resource constraints. They handle born-digital materials, digital preservation, and digitization projects, using standards such as ISAD(G), ISAAR(COR), DACS, EAD, and Dublin Core for description; OAIS and PREMIS for preservation metadata; and various cataloging and finding aid systems. They work to ensure accessibility while respecting access restrictions, copyright, and confidentiality.

Education and credentials: many archivists hold a Master’s degree in archival studies, library and information science, or a related field. Some pursue specialized certificates such as the Certified Archivist (CA) from the Society of American Archivists or Digital Archives Specialist (DAS). Professionals may also hold certifications in records management or information governance.

Ethics and professional practice emphasize provenance, respect for creators and subjects, intellectual property considerations, and equitable access. Ongoing challenges include managing large-scale digitization, long-term digital preservation, and evolving privacy laws. Archivists contribute to scholarship, heritage preservation, and public memory by ensuring that records are authentic, accessible, and usable over time.