archives institute

Course Description:

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to archival work for those working in the field, through lectures by subject experts, group activities, and opportunities for questions and networking. It is designed to fill the knowledge gap for those who work with archives, but have little to no formal training in the field. Participants will receive readings, templates, tools of the trade, and other resources.

Who Should Take the Institute?

This course is designed for those who work with archives, but who have little to no training in archival studies.

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will gain an understanding of

• the history of the archival profession in Canada and the current landscape of the Canadian archival community;
• the factors involved in acquiring archival materials and judging archival value;
• how to arrange and describe materials using the Canadian standard, Rules for Archival Description;
• the basic elements of how to handle, store, and care for archival materials and assessing when a professional conservator is needed;
• the basic elements involved in managing digital archives;
• the basic elements required to facilitate access to archival records and how to conduct reference services.

From these learning outcomes, participants will be able to assess their institutional programs and their future training needs.

Assessment:

The successful completion of the Archives Institute course requires:

• full attendance for each day of the course;
• active participation in class;
• completion of a take-home processing exercise, to be submitted no later than four weeks after the last day of the course.

Acceptance of your registration and receipt of a participation certificate upon completion is dependent upon your reading, accepting, and adhering to the ASA Registration and Attendance Policy.