New in paperback! Maher introduces the basic elements required for an archival program to meet the documentary needs of a college or university. Both archivists and their administrative superiors can obtain a thorough understanding of archival work and its importance to their institution. Beginning archivists, experienced academic archivists, archivists outside academe, and related professionals will all benefit from this book, which assesses the current status and conditions of academic archives, articulates the basic principles that should determine the operating goals for academic archives, and synthesizes external professional standards and techniques with a systematic overview of what is practical for academic archivists. Cloth version previously published in 1992.

Maher introduces the basic elements required for an archival program to meet the documentary needs of a college or university.

The 13 essays in this volume offer provocative commentary and analysis in the ways archivists might better document college and university campuses and serve users. Three intertwined themes run throughout the reader: the opportunities and challenges posed by ever-changing technology, the importance of cooperation and collaboration beyond the walls of the archives, and the necessity of a proactive approach in undertaking the academic archival enterprise. As the essays gathered here demonstrate, archivists can and must play an active role in documenting the character and history of their institutions by applying their talents to the challenges in this new century. -- Provided by publisher.