[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: Certification/qualifications again?



In this vein (making the case for certification), I am curious to know what recently certified archivists think about the test for certification:
-- Do you feel it is a worthwhile measure of archival knowledge and skills?
-- How hard is it to prepare/how much preparation is needed?
-- Is it easier for recent graduates or those who have been at work for a while?


Katherine A. Hayes, Associate Archivist
American Institute of Physics
Center for History of Physics
Niels Bohr Library
301/209-3179
http://www.aip.org/history/
http://www.aip.org/history

>>> Craig Wright <skavvy@concentric.net> 12/18/01 10:53PM >>>
Yes, the certification issue in some manifestation rears its head yet 
again. The periodic outpouring of passion on this list illustrates the 
somewhat devisive nature of the issue.

I am curious for those of you CRMs out there - was CRM as devisive as
CA seems to be? Peter K indicates it took time for CRM to be recognized 
by employers. How long was that? CA has been around for over ten years
now and appears to me to be required or preferred in only a handful of 
archival jobs.

I suggest that if the CAs are better able to make their case to their colleagues
it would become more supported within the profession and thereby recognized 
by employers much more quickly.

Personally, I remain unconvinced of its utility and I find the implied tactic of
educating employers of its value something of an end run around garnering 
greater support within the profession. There are many of us who love this 
profession and have chosen to make careers of it and who are still dubious 
about certification. We are your sisters and brothers in the trenches, 
convince us and the way will be much easier.

I don't recall attending sessions at professional conferences where the merits
of certification have been debated. Even if they have in the past, perhaps it is
time to reinvigorate the debate on a higher level than the list - at conferences 
and in print. Than again perhaps not . . . (ho, ho, ho)

Craig Wright
Manuscript Acquisitions
Minnesota Historical Society
345 Kellogg Blvd. West
St. Paul, MN  55102-1906
651.296.7989
craig.wright@mnhs.org 

Inter arma silent leges.

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
                    *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>