LIBR 256-01
Archives and Manuscripts
Summer 2007 Greensheet
David de Lorenzo
E-mail
Phone: (510)643-3203
Office Hours: Virtually by e-mail; In person by appointment
| Course Links Greensheet Schedule |
Resources Blackboard Blackboard Tutorials SLIS e-Bookstore |
Textbooks and Readings | Course Requirements
The access code for the course Blackboard site will be distributed to those enrolled at the first class.
Course Description
This course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of managing archives and manuscript collections. Both personal papers and institutional records (public and private) will be covered, as will a variety of record formats such as photographic materials and electronic records. Topics addressed will include collection acquisition and appraisal, arrangement and description, reference and public services, records management, archival management, and preservation, as well as ethical, social, and political issues impacting archival work. The class includes both theoretical and practical components and will consist of lectures, readings, discussions, and hands-on experience evaluating a manuscript collection.
Course Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course a student should be able to:
- understand appraisal theory and application
- understand current issues effecting the archives profession and appropriate professional preparation for the field of archives
- know how acquisition and accessioning processes are accomplished
- understand the issues relating to cataloging, arrangement, and description of archival collections
- know how to provide public services to archival collections and what the legal and policy issues are relating to such use.
- understand the complex issues surrounding electronic records management
- understand the challenges facing the archival manager
This course teaches students the major theories, important principles, and current practice in archival management and administration.
LIBR 256 supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- articulate the ethics, values and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom;
- compare the environments and organizational settings in which library and information professionals practice;
- recognize the social, cultural and economic dimensions of information use;
- use the basic concepts and principles related to the creation, evaluation, selection, acquisition, preservation and organization of specific items or collections of information;
- understand the system of standards and methods used to control and create information structures and apply basic principles involved in the organization and representation of knowledge.
In addition, this section supports the following SLIS Core Competencies:
- contribute to the cultural, economic, educational, and social well-being of our communities.
Textbooks and Readings
Required Text
The required textbook for this course can be acquired from the SLIS e-Bookstore:
- Hunter, Gregory S. Developing and Maintaining Practical Archives: A How-To-Do-It Manual. Second Edition. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2003.
Recommended Text
- Society of American Archivists (SAA), Archival Fundamental Series II.
Course Requirements
Course Format & Blackboard
This class is taught completely in a classroom setting. However, to improve student communication, to provide access to outlines of lectures and additional readings, an access code for the class Blackboard site will be distributed in the first class.
All classes will occur at the Bancroft Library, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley (for directions, see: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/info/directions.html).
In order to enhance communication with each other, I have also made available the Blackboard discussion module for your use. You will need a high-speed connection (DSL, cable, etc.) to successfully take this class. Please see: Technology Requirements and Instructions for Success. If you are not familiar with Blackboard, there are helpful tutorials at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/blackboard/
Assignments
The assignments for this course are:
- Appraisal and Processing Survey Report, Due Saturday, August 4, 2007 (35 points)
Students will spend time reviewing and analyzing a collection of original archival records from the unprocessed holdings of the Bancroft Library. The purpose of this “practicum” is to give students experience applying archival theory and method to the evaluation of a real collection of documents. At the conclusion of this work, students will be expected to submit a completed report citing the scope and content of the collection, an appraisal evaluation, identification of the series, suggested level of description for the finding aid, and evaluation of preservation issues. Detailed instructions for this assignment will be provided in class. - Electronic Records Survey, Due Saturday, July 14th (25% of course grade)
Based on readings, and using the UC Berkeley’s University Archives Survey form, each student will conduct a records survey of electronic records provided at the first the first class. You will use the survey form provided on Blackboard. You will complete one survey form for each RECORDS SERIES identified (minimum of five series). You will write very brief series descriptions and include the following information: series name, extent, media, arrangement, date range, growth rate, record or non-record, status as vital record, and proposed disposition as seen on the form. Submit the forms via e-mail as Word attachments. - Class Participation (10 points)
Because this course is an intensive, compressed introduction to the subject, it is imperative that students attend every class session in its entirety. Missing class will result in zero points for class participation. Processing Plan meetings are also part of the class participation requirement. - Article Reviews (30 points)
I have assigned two articles for you to critique. Each paper must be NO MORE THAN 3 pages in length. These are formal papers; APA style, proper grammar, appropriate writing style and correct spelling are required and will be graded. You may use references to other archival literature. Please use proper APA styles for any references used. Please send these to me via email attachments in MS Word.- Article 1: Due Saturday, June 23rd
Strategies For Managing Electronic Records: A New Archival Paradigm? An Affirmation Of Our Archival Traditions? by Philip C. Bantin
http://www.indiana.edu/~libarch/ER/macpaper12.pdf - Article 2: Due Saturday, July 21st
More Product, Less Process: Pragmatically Revamping Traditional Processing Approaches to Deal with Late 20th Century Approaches. By Mark Greene and Dennis Meissner
http://ahc.uwyo.edu/documents/faculty/greene/papers/Greene-Meissner.pdf
- Article 1: Due Saturday, June 23rd
Grading
The assignments for this course will contribute to your final grade as follows:
| Electronic Records Survey | 25 points |
| Class Participation | 10 points |
| Article Reviews (2) | 30 points |
| Processing Plan Report | 35 points |
Late Assignments
Points will be assessed against the student's grade for late assignments.
Grading Scale
The standard SJSU SLIS Grading Scale is utilized for all SLIS courses:
| 97-100 | A |
| 94-96 | A- |
| 91-93 | B+ |
| 88-90 | B |
| 85-87 | B- |
| 82-84 | C+ |
| 79-81 | C |
| 76-78 | C- |
| 73-75 | D+ |
| 70-72 | D |
| 67-69 | D- |
| Below 67 | F |
Academic Integrity
Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San José State University, and the University's Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct.
Reasonable Accommodation of Disabilities
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability,
please e-mail me as soon as possible. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires
that students with disabilities register with the Disability Resource Center
(DRC) to establish record of their disability.
No matter where students reside, they should contact the SJSU DRC to register. The DRC Web site: http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/
One Washington Square - San José, California USA, 95192-0029
Phone: 408-924-2490
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