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

Re: Certification/qualifications again?



When I took the test for certification, I was starting a new job at an archives and decided, after trying for two weeks to make sense of my predecessors' methods, that I was just going to start over.  So I dug out all my class notes and reference folders and leafed through the SAA manuals I had, and was able to kill two birds with one stone.  This in-depth review of Archives from the Ground Up served to concentrate my thoughts for implementing a good archival program and also helped in preparing for the certification test.  Because I had been out of school for three years, and was woefully behind in all my reading, professional and otherwise, I missed a few new trends and issues, but I would say I covered most of the bases.

I was going to say that it's hard to be objective about a multiple-choice test, but I've only had four hours of sleep a night for the past two weeks and I'm not sure if that's as funny as I seem to think it is.  I think the format should include at least some essay questions, even if that means taking the test on two different days or extending the time to four hours.

I went to a session at a MARAC conference at Penn State in 1999 or 2000 (I forget) that discussed this topic.  The point was made, and I have to agree, that our profession is not going to be taken seriously (and paid decently) until we agree on some standards to which all professional archivists must be held.  Until then, employers are justified in their beliefs that anyone can be an "archivist."  Just appoint someone who doesn't seem to have enough to do or who files records anyway, like a clerk or secretary, or who has worked in a library.  That's all that it's about, isn't it?

We are fortunate that more and more employers are becoming aware that there is a specialized field for archives and are willing to look and pay for qualified professionals.

It's all really about education, and as long as employers are aware of the needs for proper archival education and training, they will hire qualified archivists.  Certification assures employers and other archivists that the person with whom they are dealing has at least the basic requirements and theory needed to perform archival tasks and manage archival programs.  I don't want to discourage or marginalize those who have come into the field unprepared through no fault of their own, but I can tell you that I know from experience that a little knowledge is a very dangerous thing.  My immediate predecessor, who took some courses and did an internship, was able to call herself an archivist, and left the biggest mess you can imagine.  Many of us have had the same experience.  To those newly plunked into the field, I always stress getting as much education as possible through courses, workshops, seminars, and books, and becoming active in archival organizations.  Maybe there needs to be a more formal way to bring into the fold those who do not come into the field through a master's degree with a concentration in archival administration.  Maybe the ACA could design a long-term education program for archival newcomers.  Maybe someone already has!

My opinion only!

Rebecca Fitzgerald, CA
Mt. St. Mary's Archives & Dept. of Special Collections
Mt. St. Mary's College & Seminary
Emmitsburg, MD
301/447-5397
301/447-6868 (fax)
rfitzger@msmary.edu 

-----Original Message-----
From: Katherine Hayes [mailto:khayes@AIP.ORG]
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2001 9:41 AM
To: ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU
Subject: 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>

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>