A well-structured reference service can demystify the research process and support archives users by offering personalized consultations, creating accessible guides, training staff for empathetic support.
Ensuring user access to archival materials is essential for supporting research, education, and community engagement. Archivists can significantly improve access by creating user-friendly finding aids, prioritizing the digitization of high-demand collections, adopting inclusive practices, and addressing physical barriers.
When disaster strikes an archive, immediate action is critical to stabilize collections, assess damage, and prevent further loss. This guide outlines best practices for post-disaster recovery in archival institutions, helping professionals respond strategically, collaborate effectively, and emerge stronger from the crisis.
Learn how to create an archival disaster response and recovery plan to protect collections from natural and human-made threats.
Discover the essential elements of archival security—from access control to environmental monitoring—and learn how to protect your collections against threats.
Short-term fixes can’t protect archival collections forever. A long-term preservation strategy is essential to ensure materials remain stable, accessible, and meaningful over time.
Learn how to choose archival storage materials and enclosures to preserve documents, photos, books, and digital records for long-term accessibility.
Explore the 5 key agents of deterioration and essential archival preservation strategies to safeguard your collections for future generations.
Clear, concise archival descriptions improve accessibility, support discoverability, and enhance the research experience. In this article, we’ll explore best practices for crafting finding aids that are both informative and engaging.
How much detail is enough when describing an archival collection? Finding the right balance between broad overviews and detailed item descriptions ensures accessibility, research efficiency, and proper context for archival materials.
Standards like ISAD(G), DACS, and EAD guide archivists in creating clear, consistent descriptions for easier access. Learn more about each of these frameworks and how they enhance visibility and research.
Managing and arranging mixed-media archives requires balancing the unique needs of physical and digital records. Discover best practices for metadata, organizational structures, and cross-referencing to ensure seamless access and long-term preservation.
Arranging digital archives comes with unique challenges, requiring new strategies to preserve context, manage volume, and ensure long-term access. How can archivists adapt to safeguard digital heritage?
