Managing Institutional Archives: Foundational Principles and Practices

(Hardback)

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This volume is intended to aid both those organizations considering the establishment of an institutional archive and those practicing archivists needing materials to assist them in evaluating their programmes and planning for their development. The author's theme is that archival programmes found in corporate, educational, cultural, and religious institutions are necessary both to the organizations themselves and their efficient functioning and to society's concern for preserving its documentary heritage. "Managing Institutional Archives" covers all aspects of managing an archival programme. There are chapters on appraisal and acquisition; preservation and security; arrangement, description, and reference; internal and external support, fund-raising and grantsmanship; and co-operation. The impact of new information technology on organizations and the implications for their archives are discussed. A detailed examination of three case studies of archives is provided. The final chapter is a description of sources for additional assistance in managing institutional archives. "Managing Institutional Archives" should be useful to archival specialists, administrators, educators, and others needing guidance about the elements of managing archives. Its contents is based on a wide-reading of archival theory and practice and nearly two decades of archival experience by the author.

Reviews

"This is a book to help the fledgling archivist identify what is unique about institutional archives. The author's many years of experience in a wide variety of archival settings, his credentials as a Fellow of the Society of American Archivists, and his teaching all contribute to the quality of this work."-Information Processing & Management
.,."neither a book on management for archivists nor is it a standard manual for institutional archives. Instead Cox has managed to create a book which combines these two genres into something new and exciting. Provides useful insights for managers of institutional archives, for non-archivists responsible for institutional archives, as well as for archival educators teaching future administrators of institutional archives."-Archival Issues
This is a book to help the fledgling archivist identify what is unique about institutional archives. The author's many years of experience in a wide variety of archival settings, his credentials as a Fellow of the Society of American Archivists, and his teaching all contribute to the quality of this work.-Information Processing & Management
...neither a book on management for archivists nor is it a standard manual for institutional archives. Instead Cox has managed to create a book which combines these two genres into something new and exciting. Provides useful insights for managers of institutional archives, for non-archivists responsible for institutional archives, as well as for archival educators teaching future administrators of institutional archives.-Archival Issues
A very well-written and well-researched text that rationalizes the need for institutional archives and explains the principles that should shape their development and administration. A very readable text on institutional archives. In a competent and effective manner, Cox weaves together his discussion of the importance of institutional archival programs, current theory and practice, and effective management approaches.- American Archivist
Cox's work is a landmark, long overdue in the archival community. Because of its detailed attention to basic archival functions--processing, appraisal, conservation, security, collection policies--it makes an outstanding text for beginning archivists. Designed for institutional settings and archivists responsible for running them, its focus is thematic but broad enough in scope to address most archival questions regardless of institution. Perhaps the most outstanding feature is Cox's sensitive hand at weaving issues, practices, and the questions surrounding lack of standardization and other concerns into the text at appropriate places. Chapter 10, which addresses the literature, is thorough, touching on classics and current works, and stands as one of the best bibliographies of archival work to date. This book is highly recommended for all practicing archivists, those wanting to enter the field, and employers who need to know what an archivist is.-Library Journal
Managing Institutional Archives warrants very careful reading by those archives specialists most concerned with the development of their comprehensive knowledge base . . . it does provide the thinking archivist and the needy administrator with the guidance needed to lay the groundwork for a functioning, successful archival program.-The Library Quarterly
This textbook provides advice on such basic functions as administration, appraisal, preservation, description, reference, support, and cooperative opportunities. All are presented with specific examples from institutional archives.-COLLEGE & RESEARCH LIBRARIES NEWS
..."neither a book on management for archivists nor is it a standard manual for institutional archives. Instead Cox has managed to create a book which combines these two genres into something new and exciting. Provides useful insights for managers of institutional archives, for non-archivists responsible for institutional archives, as well as for archival educators teaching future administrators of institutional archives."-Archival Issues
"A very well-written and well-researched text that rationalizes the need for institutional archives and explains the principles that should shape their development and administration. A very readable text on institutional archives. In a competent and effective manner, Cox weaves together his discussion of the importance of institutional archival programs, current theory and practice, and effective management approaches."- American Archivist
"Managing Institutional Archives warrants very careful reading by those archives specialists most concerned with the development of their comprehensive knowledge base . . . it does provide the thinking archivist and the needy administrator with the guidance needed to lay the groundwork for a functioning, successful archival program."-The Library Quarterly
"This textbook provides advice on such basic functions as administration, appraisal, preservation, description, reference, support, and cooperative opportunities. All are presented with specific examples from institutional archives."-COLLEGE & RESEARCH LIBRARIES NEWS
"Cox's work is a landmark, long overdue in the archival community. Because of its detailed attention to basic archival functions--processing, appraisal, conservation, security, collection policies--it makes an outstanding text for beginning archivists. Designed for institutional settings and archivists responsible for running them, its focus is thematic but broad enough in scope to address most archival questions regardless of institution. Perhaps the most outstanding feature is Cox's sensitive hand at weaving issues, practices, and the questions surrounding lack of standardization and other concerns into the text at appropriate places. Chapter 10, which addresses the literature, is thorough, touching on classics and current works, and stands as one of the best bibliographies of archival work to date. This book is highly recommended for all practicing archivists, those wanting to enter the field, and employers who need to know what an archivist is."-Library Journal

Author Bio

RICHARD J. COX is Lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Library and Information Science. He has had nearly two decades of archival experience and is the author of many articles published in professional journals. Professor Cox was named a Fellow of the Society of American Archivists in 1989 and also won the 1991 Waldo Gifford Leland Award for writing of superior excellence and usefulness in the field of archival history, theory, or practice. He has also recently been named editor of The American Archivist.