My concern about the CA examination is that it couldn't
possibly capture and test all the duties of an archivist. While I agree that
there is a certain body of knowledge that can be tested on (i.e. record groups,
series, original order, etc.), most of the time our tasks range widely and
wildly. I also have some misgivings about the definition of an archivist that
might be reflected by the exam. SAA tends to define an archivist as a records
manager, yet most of us are in charge of motley collections of records, papers,
objects, bizarre collections, etc. that require a lot of different strategies.
Why would I want to pay to take an exam that would prove I know the basics of a
narrow chunk of an archivist's job, when it's really my ability to manage a wide
range of materials and to think creatively that's my strength?
Ms. Georgen Gilliam
Utah State University Libraries geogil@ngw.lib.usu.edu "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin |