ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries C&RL N ew s ■ M arch 2003 / 163 I N T E R N E T R E S O U R C E S Archives and special collections A guide to resources on the Web by Tanya Zanish-Belcher D igital access and the Web have altered the landscape o f archives and special collec­ tions permanently and allowed increasing num­ bers o f users to locate and access archives and other rare materials. Throughout history, docu­ ments, manuscripts, and rare books were re­ served for an in-house elite number o f schol­ ars. Now there are no limits, except time and exp ense, on primary resources being made available electronically worldwide. This change in perspective has also affected those with the responsibility o f managing spe­ cial collections and archives, resulting in many new opportunities for access to materials all over the world, connectivity and communica­ tion with other repositories, access to profes­ sional archival resources, and new methods of outreach to the public. This outreach includes an increased sharing of collection information, digital documents, and virtual exhibits with a wide variety of researchers. Digital access also invites new generations, such as K -12 students and National History Day participants, to ex­ plore one-of-a-kind resources that were for­ merly hidden away. G e n e ra l re so u rc e s fo r a r c h iv e s an d s p e c ia l c o lle c tio n s • A rchivists’ Daybook. Sponsored by the Society o f Southwest Archivists, this Web site consists o f an in-depth calendar o f events re­ lating to archives from 2003 through 2007. Included are related conference dates and lo­ cations, w orkshops, grant information, and historical tidbits of information concerning our archival past. A ccess: http://www.tulane.edu/~ lm ille r/D a yb o o k . html. • C o u n c il f o r S tate R e c o rd s C o o rd i­ n a to rs (COSHRC). COSHRC, sponsor o f the report “Connecting the Archival Community,” has targeted ways the archival community could communicate and collaborate especially in the area o f education. This Web site provides a wide variety o f inform ation relevant to both archi­ vists and nonarchivists, including links to the Archives Resource Cen­ ter (to be redesigned and renamed this year). The Resource Center provides links to technical in­ formation regarding education, how to use pri­ mary resources, and the status o f state records programs, as well as professional field links to glossaries, resource directories, and archival or­ ganizations. A ccess: http://www.coshrc.org/ index.html. • R ead y , ‘Net, Go! A r c h iv a l I n te r n e t R e so u rce s. As noted in its introduction, this Web site is an archival “meta index,” or index o f archival indexes, by w hich the user can About the author Tanya Zanish-Belcher is head o f special collections and university archives at Iowa State University, e-mail: tzanish@iastate.edu http://www.tulane.edu/ http://www.tulane.edu/~lmiller/ http://www.coshrc.org/ mailto:tzanish@iastate.edu 164 / C&RL News ■ M arch 2003 reach m ajor indexes, lists, and databases o f archival resources. O f great value for any user who needs an overview, there are links to mas­ ter lists o f archives, tools such as collection guides and other Web resources, archival cata­ logs on the Web, and guides to professional developm ent in the archival profession. A c­ c e s s : h ttp :/ / w w w .tu la n e .e d u / ~ lm ille r/ ArchivesResources.html. P ro fe s s io n a l a s s o c ia t io n s • S o c ie ty o f A m e r i c a n A r c h i v i s t s (SAA ). Fou nd ed in 1936, SAA is North America’s oldest and largest national archival professional association of 3,400 members. The Web site contains an employment bulletin, a publications catalog, annual meeting informa­ tion, and opportu­ nities for continu­ ing edu­ c a t i o n . In addition, the Web site’s Education Section lists the library and history programs that pro­ vide training in archives in the United States and Canada. A ccess: http://www.archivists, org/. • ACRL’s R are Books an d M an uscrip ts S ection (RBMS). For anyone who works with manuscripts or rare books, the RBMS Web site provides news o f interest, conference infor­ mation, memberships and committees, stan­ dards and guidelines, and links to related groups. O f particular interest are the standards and guidelines, security information, and “What is a Rare B ook?” A ccess: http://www.rbms. nd.edu/. • A D i r e c to r y o f R e g io n a l, S tate, a n d L o c a l A r c h i v a l O r g a n i z a tio n s in th e U n ited S tates. This directory contains list­ ings for the strong regional archival organiza­ tions, as well as state and local organizations. A ccess: http://sophia.smith.edu/~pnelson/ regionale/. O th e r re la te d p ro fe s s io n a l o rg a n iz a tio n s • A sso ciatio n o f M oving Im age A rch i­ vists (AMIA). AMIA is a rapidly growing or­ ganization o f those working directly with ar­ chival motion picture film and video. Interest groups with links on the Web site include those who digitize film and video. In addition, there is also ordering information for AMIA’s C om ­ p en d iu m o f M oving Im ag e C αtαlogirig P ractice, as well as links for cataloging examples from the participating repositories. A ccess: http://www. amianet.org/. • A s s o c ia tio n f o r I n f o r m a tio n M an ­ a g e m e n t P r o f e s s io n a ls (ARMA I n te r n a ­ tio n a l). ARMA focuses on records m anage­ ment issues, and their Web site states, “Today’s information management professionals must possess content skills, an understanding o f how and why data is created, who should have ac­ cess to it, and when it should be destroyed.” There are links to legislative and regulatory standards, membership information, and fre­ quently asked questions. A ccess: http://www. arma.org/. • N ation al C o u n cil o n P u b lic H isto ry . The National Council on Public History Web site has links to membership information, con­ ference materials, publications that are avail­ able, and an online newsletter with updates of interest in the field o f public history. A ccess. http://n cp h .org/. • O ra l H is to ry A s s o c ia tio n (O H A ). Many archivists and special collections staff have the responsibility o f creating and pre­ serving oral histories. While including regular organizational information, such as conference materials, membership, electronic list details, and available publications, OHA’s Web site also contains links to other oral history Web sites as well as basic guidelines and standards for con­ ducting oral histories. A ccess: http://omega. dickinson.edu/organizations/oha/. C o n tin u in g e d u c a tio n • T h e A r c h iv is t’s T o o lk it (A rc h iv e s A s s o c ia tio n o f B r it is h C o lu m b ia ). “D e­ signed as a community resource for use by those working primarily in small and medium-sized archives,” the Archivist’s Toolkit provides a wide range o f links to areas o f interest, such as “Establishing an Archives,” “Arrangement and D e s c r ip tio n ,” and “A p p ra isa l and Accessioning.” A ccess: http://aabc.bc.ca/aabc/ toolkit.html. • In tr o d u c tio n to A rch iv a l O rg a n iz a ­ tio n a n d D e s c rip tio n : A ccess to C ultu ral H e r ita g e (T h e A r c h iv is t’s P r i m e r ) . This Web site gives an excellent overview o f the archives profession and is well worth a visit by anyone interested in the topic. The table o f contents details the subject areas, such as ar- http://www.tulane.edu/~lmiller/ http://www.archivists http://www.rbms http://sophia.smith.edu/~pnelson/ http://www http://www http://omega http://aabc.bc.ca/aabc/ C&RL N ew s ■ M arch 2003 / 165 chival theory, standards, and workflow, which includes a description o f collection process­ ing, a tu torial that fo llo w s an archivist through his or her work, and resources for fu rth e r r e a d in g . A c c e s s : h ttp :/ / w w w . schistory.org/getty/. • N o rth e a st D o cu m e n t C o n se rv a tio n C e n te r: P r e s e r v a t i o n 1 0 1 . This online course provides articles and readings on the practice o f preservation, from practical stor­ age matters to disaster planning. The Web site also includes a glossary, care and handling guidelines, and sources for further reading. A c c e s s : h ttp :/ / w w w .n e d cc.o rg / p l01cs/ p l01w el.h tm . • R a re B o o k S c h o o l (U n iv e rs ity o f V irg in ia). Rare B ook School, located at the University of Virginia, is a unique opportunity for continuing education in the history of print­ ing, the care of rare books, bibliographic cata­ loging, bookbinding structures, and even the provision o f digital images and Encoded Ar­ chival Description (EAD). This Web site pro­ vides application and financial aid information, available courses, evaluations from past courses, and course reading lists. A ccess: http://www. virginia.edu/oldbooks/. E le c t ro n ic lists • A rch iv e s L istserv . This unmoderated electronic list is sponsored by Miami Univer­ sity (Oxford, Ohio) and is open to participants. The subjects vary widely, but include discus­ sions o f basic and in-depth archival questions, such as the calculation o f linear footage for archival records, job announcements, and ethi­ cal questions. The archives digest is also avail­ able at the Web site, which allows visitors to examine previous postings by subject. A ccess: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives. html. • RBMS. The RBMS list is devoted to ACRL’s Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS). The RBMS list is unmoderated and membership in the list is open to anyone who wishes to join. A ccess: http://www.rbms.nd.edu/ m anualelectronic_com m unications.shtm l# listserv. • E xL ib ris. The ExLibris electronic list is a news and discussion group for those inter­ ested in and working with manuscripts, rare books, and special collections. A ccess: http:// palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/ exlibris/. C a ta lo g s an d g u id e s fo r a rc h iv e s a n d s p e c ia l c o lle c tio n s • A rch iv es USA. ArchivesUSA provides access to more than 130,000 archival collec­ tions. The catalog includes items in National Union Catalog Manuscript Collections from 1959 (searchable in electronic form), nearly 5,000 direct links to finding aids for archives collections, collections descriptions, and reposi­ tory inform ation. A ccess: http://archives. chadwyck.com/. • R e p o s i t o r y L i s t i n g o f P r i m a r y S o u rce s in th e U.S. A listing for reposito­ ries, there are over 5,000 Web sites in this list focusing on manuscripts, archives, rare books, historical photographs, and other primary sources for the research scholar. It is organized geographically by region and by state. A ccess: http://www.uidaho.edu/special-collections/ Other. Repositories.html. • L ib ra ry a n d A r c h iv a l E x h ib itio n s o n th e Web (S m ith so n ia n In stitu te). This Web site provides links to online exhibits cre­ ated by libraries and archival repositories. There is a search engine available that allows users to search by exhibit title, institution, or subject te rm s . A c c e s s : h ttp :/ / w w w .sil.si.e d u / SILPublications/Online-Exhibitions/. • UNESCO A rch iv e s P o rta l: A n I n te r ­ n a tio n a l G a tew ay to I n f o r m a tio n f o r A rch iv ists a n d A rch iv e s U sers. This Web site currently contains 4,781 links to archival repositories, organized by subjects such as ar­ chitecture, university archives, municipal, mili­ tary, and family. Within these categories, the entries are then organized by country and city. As research becomes increasingly international, this Web site will provide access to worldwide u se rs. A c c e s s : http://w w w .un esco.org/ webworld/portal_archives/pages/Archives/. O f s p e c ia l in te re s t • ARL C o lle ctio n s P r o g r a m — S p ecial C o llection s. The Association of Research Li­ braries’ Web site has several links of interest related to special collections, including a task force, a 1998 survey, and a 2001 symposium. A ccess: http://www.arl.org/collect/spcoll/ index.html. • COOL: C o n s e r v a tio n O n L in e. One duty of those responsible for archives and spe­ cial collections is the consideration of preser­ vation in all aspects o f archival work. From appropriate storage and climate control, to rec- http://www http://www.nedcc.org/pl01cs/ http://www http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives http://www.rbms.nd.edu/ http://archives http://www.uidaho.edu/special-collections/ http://www.sil.si.edu/ http://www.unesco.org/ http://www.arl.org/collect/spcoll/ 166 / C&RL N ews ■ March 2003 ommendations for conservation work, preser­ vation is an integral com p onent o f archival work. The COOL Web site provides links to organizations, research work, and topics such as copyright, continuing education, digital pres­ ervation, disaster planning, environmental con­ trols, and suppliers. A ccess: http://palimpsest. stanford.edu/. • C o u n c il o n L ib r a r y a n d I n f o r m a ­ tio n R esources (CLI R). This organization and its Web site provide much valuable and needed information for those working with unique pri­ mary sources. Its sponsored publications (many available online) focus on making collections avail­ able to users, special preservation issues, and digi­ tal issues. CLIR’s latest report focused on the state of preservation programs in college and research libraries in the United States and their other re­ ports have focused on digitizing research collec­ tions. A ccess: http://www.clir.org/. • N a tio n a l H is to ry D ay. Another b e n ­ efit o f the new public relations com ponent of archives and special collections is the increas­ ing use by K -1 2 visitors. Although these pa­ trons will require time and attention from the archivist, this new generation o f users sees the value of primary documents. The Web site for N ation al H is­ tory Day details the contest and t h e m e s , a n d also p ro vid es links fo r both t e a c h e r s and students. Each state has a coor­ dinator, and it is to the advantage o f every repository to become involved in some small way, even by simply providing selected digital images on a Web page or reproductions of original documents for students to use. A ccess: http://www. nationalhistoryday.org/. Jo u rn a ls • A m e r ic a n A rch iv ist. This semiannual journal, published by the Society o f American Archivists, contains scholarly articles on archi­ val theory, case studies, book reviews, and the minutes o f SAA Council m eetings. A ccess: h ttp :/ / w w w .a rcliiv ists.o rg / p e rio d ic a ls / index.asp. • A r c h iv a l I s s u e s : T h e J o u r n a l o f t h e M id w e s t A r c h i v e s C o n f e r e n c e . A r c h iv a l Issues, published twice a year, focuses on many aspects o f the archival and information pro­ fessions. First-time authors are encouraged to subm it articles. Abstracts and contents are available in PDF form from the Web site o f the Midwest Archives Conference, and there are currently plans underway to provide the journal online. A ccess: http://www.midwestarchives. org/. • A r c b i v a r i a . The Association o f Cana­ dian Archivists publishes A rch iv a ria , which fo­ cuses on Canadian and international archives. Solicited articles can include studies o f docu­ mentation, theoretical discussions, communi­ cation issues among archivists, and book and exhibition reviews. A ccess: http://archivists, ca/publicat/archivar/. • J o u r n a l o f A r c h i v a l O r g a n iz a t io n . This new Haworth-published quarterly jour­ nal contains articles relating to all aspects of arrangement and description, the processing of collections, and how access is provided for us­ ers. There will be a special emphasis on emerg­ ing technologies, including digitization and how it will im pact archives as a w hole. A ccess: http://w w w .haw orthpressinc.com /store/ product.asp?sku=J201. • l i b r a r y a n d A r c h iv a l S e c u rity . This Haworth-published journal provides much- needed discussion and overview o f security issues in libraries and archives, such as “physi­ cal security; data and com munications secu­ rity; relevant legislation; disaster preparedness and recovery; and studies o f related social, le­ gal, and ethical issues.” A ccess: http://www. haworthpressinc.com/ store/product. asp?sku= J 114. • R B M : A J o u r n a l o f R a r e B o o k s , M a n u s c r i p t s , a n d C u l t u r a l H e r i t a g e . RBM, formerly known as R are B ook s a n d M anu ­ scrip ts L ib r a r ia n s h ip , is published by ACRL. There are articles on special collections as a part o f our cultural heritage, co llab oratio n within the profession, the im pact o f digital technologies, and collection development. A c­ c e s s : h ttp :/ / w w w .a la .o rg / a c rl/ rb m ltx t. html. ■ More on archives and special collections See the expan d ed article on the Web at http :/ / w w w .ala.o rg / acrl/ resm arch 03. html. http://palimpsest http://www.clir.org/ http://www http://www.arcliivists.org/periodicals/ http://www.midwestarchives http://archivists http://www.haworthpressinc.com/store/ http://www http://www.ala.org/acrl/rbmltxt http://www.ala.org/acrl/resmarch03