HIST.5020 “Introduction to Archives”
Spring 2018
Course Schedule
* This course schedule is subject to change owing to inclement weather, instructor illness, unexpected opportunities for class activities, and other reasons. If the schedule changes, the instructor will post those changes on the course website, notify all students via email, and (where possible) make an announcement in class.
* Additional readings will be added as the course progresses.
Day / Date / Topic / Preparation / Assignments DueW / 1/24 / Introduction to class. Brief history of archives. Prof. Carlsmith’s virtual illustrated archive tour.
Visit to Marty Meehan Archive at O’Leary Library (Tony Sampas). / None. / None.
W / 1/31 / Defining Archives; Archival Basics
Visit to Center for Lowell History (Tony Sampas, Janine Whitcomb). / Bradsher, “An Introduction to Archives” 1-18 (PDF);
Browse the CLH website ( / Worksheet on Bradsher;
Journal #1
W / 2/7 / Types of Archives, Types of Archivists
Visit to Lowell National Park archives (Celeste Bernardo?) and/or Pollard Memorial Library (Bridget Cooley) / Millar, 79-106 / Analysis of current article re: archives;
Journal #2
W / 2/14 / Acquisition of Records
Guest Lecture on Southeast Asian Digital Archive (Sue Kim, Mee Xiong) / Millar, 179-212 / Comparison of 2 archives;
Journal #3
W / 2/21 / University and School Records
Visit to Harvard University Archives (Barbara Meloni, et al) / Chapters 1, 5, and 6 in C Prom and E Swain, College and University Archives (PDF) / Select Archive Visitation site;
Journal Review 1
W / 2/28 / Access to records
Visit to National Archives (NARA) in Waltham (Alfie Paul)or host Alfie Paul on campus / Millar, 243-261; Review NARA website at / Scope-and-Content Note;
Journal #4
W / 3/7 / Preserving Archives
Visit to New England Document Conservation Center in Andover, or host staff member on campus / Millar, 145-178 / Journal #5
n/a / 3/14 / Spring Vacation--No Class / n/a / n/a
n/a / 3/21 / Prof. Carlsmith @ RSA conference in New Orleans--No Class / n/a / n/a
TBA / mid-March / Campus visit by David Ferriero, U.S. Archivist (speaking at MIT/Harvard March 15-17), coordinated by UML Librarian George Hart. Details TBD. This is an optional event. / n/a / n/a
W / 3/28 / Arrangement and Description of Records
Visit to International Institute of Lowell? Or Lawrence History Center? (Robert Forrant) / Millar, 213-242 / Journal Review 2
W / 4/4 / Museum Archives
Visit by Maureen Melton, Museum of Fine Arts Boston archivist (date to be confirmed) / “Museum Archives Guidelines” from SAA / Journal #6
W / 4/11 / Oral History and Archives
Visits by Christoph Strobel, Shehong Chen re: their oral history projects (to be confirmed) / Chap. 4 “Remembering Alma Mater” in Prom and Swain, 71-96; “Principles and Best Practices” from Oral History Association / Journal #7
W / 4/18 / Financing an Archive: grants, membership, endowments, campaigns, etc. / TBD / Final Essay Draft;
Journal #8
W / 4/25 / Archive Security OR Audio-Visual Archives OR Catch-up class / G. Hunter, “Security and Disaster Planning” 181-206 OR G. Hunter, “Audio-Visual Archives” 285-324 (PDF) / Journal #9
W / 5/2 / Last Class. Discussion of Final Portfolios. Course Evaluations. Tearful farewells. / TBD / Journal #10; Final Essay due;
TBD / TBD / Final Exam: we will likely use our final exam slot for presentation of Final Portfolios. The Registrar assigns the day/time of the exam. / Prepare Final Portfolios / Prepare Final Portfolios
1
HIST.5020, Intro. to Archivesrev. 24 Jan. 2018
Prof. C. Carlsmith, UMass Lowell