Archivist

Archivists assess, collect, organise, preserve and provide access to records and archives. Records maintained are in any format, analogue or digital and include several kinds of media (documents, photographs, video and sound recordings, etc.).

The following job titles also refer to archivist:

archives record clerk
digital archivist
archives and manuscripts librarian
land register archivist
cadastral archivist
archives specialist
processing archivist
reference archivist
archives researcher

Master’s degree is generally required to work as archivist. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Archivist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to archivist.

information manager
librarian
library manager
archive manager
historian

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of archivist. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of archivist with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of archivist.

Conservation techniques: The procedures, instruments, techniques, materials and chemicals used in conservation and archiving.
Collection management: The process of resource evaluation, selection and life-cycle planning to create and promote a coherent collection in line with the developing needs of the users or customers. Understanding legal deposit for long-term access to publications.

These skills are necessary for the role of archivist.

Aid archive users with their enquiries: Provide reference services and overall assistance for researchers and visitors in their search for archival materials.
Respect data protection principles: Ensure that access to personal or institutional data conforms to the legal and ethical framework governing such access.
Carry out records management: Manage the life-cycle of records of institutions, indivduals, corporate bodies, collections, oral history.
Contextualise collection: Comment, describe, and provide context for the records in a collection.
Store archival objects: Preserve, store and look after archival documents; copy archive records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as required.
Manage archive users guidelines: Establish policy guidelines on public access to a (digital) archive and the cautious use of present materials. Communicate the guidelines to archive visitors.
Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Create semantic trees: Create coherent lists and hierarchies of concepts and terms to ensure consistent indexing in knowledge organisation systems.
Study a collection: Research and trace the origins and the historical significance of collections and archive content.
Facilitate access to information: Prepare documents for archiving; ensure that the information can easily be accessed at all times.
Manage digital archives: Create and maintain computer archives and databases, incorporating latest developments in electronic information storage technology.
Appraise historical documents: Authenticate and evaluate historical documents and archive materials.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of archivist. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of archivist. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Manage budgets: Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Manage human resources: Conduct employee recruitment, helping employees to develop their personal and organisational skills, knowledge, and competencies as well as providing feedback and performance appraisals. It includes motivating employees, by implementing rewarding systems (managing pay and benefit systems) in order to maximise employee performance with regard to employer’s strategic objectives.
Digitise documents: Load analog documents by converting them into a digital format, using specialised hardware and software.
Use software for data preservation: Utilise specialised applications and software to collect and preserve digital information.
Develop classification systems: Organise archive or business records; develop classification systems to facilitate access to all information.
Perform customer management: Identify and understand the customer’s needs. Communicate and engage with stakeholders in designing, promoting and evaluating services.
Hire new personnel: Hire new personnel for a company or organisation payroll via a prepared set of procedures. Make staffing decisions and direct selection co-workers.
Coordinate educational programmes: Plan and coordinate educational and public outreach programs such as workshops, tours, lectures and classes.

2621 – Archivists and curators

References

1. Archivist – ESCO