Books in the Society of American Archivists S. series

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.

A study of the functions of colleges and universities, Varsity Letters is intended to aid those responsible for the documentation of these institutions. The seven functions examined are: to confer credentials, convey knowledge, foster socialization, conduct research, sustain the institution, provide public service, and promote culture. The functional approach provides the means to achieve a comprehensive understanding of an institution and its documentation: a knowledge of what is to be documented and the problems of gathering the desired documentation. Samuels offers specific advice about the records of modern colleges and universities and proposes a method to ensure their adequate documentation. She also offers a method to analyze and plan the preservation of records for any type of institution.

Now in paperback! Documenting Localities is the first effort to summarize the past decade of renewed discussion about archival appraisal theory and methodology and to provide a practical guide for the documentation of localities.This book discusses the continuing importance of the locality in American historical research and archival practice, traditional methods archivists have used to document localities, and case studies in documenting localities. These chapters draw on a wide range of writings from archivists, historians, material culture specialists, historic preservationists, librarians, and other professionals in considering why we need to continue to stress the systematic documentation of geographic regions. The heart of the book is the presentation of a practical series of steps and tools archivists and manuscript curators can use in documenting localities. The final part of the book considers the need for the better education of archivists and manuscript curators in appraisal theory and methodology, with a description of the primary writings on new macroappraisal approaches forming the crux of how archivists need to consider documenting localities and regions. Useful to all archivists and manuscript curators grappling with how to contend with the increasing quantity and complexity of local records, recordkeeping systems, and other documentary forms.