Being an archivist: fun and nurturing By Fe Angela M.

Verzosa experience
3rd National Congress of Special Libraries of the Philippines with the theme "The Modern Strategist: Accelerating the Career Path of an Information Professional October 24-25, 2013 at Hotel H20 - Manila

Whats an archivist?

One who works in an Archives

One who does archival work One who works on archival materials

Sometimes, also known as (but not really)

Record Keeper Records Manager Records Custodian Manuscript Curator Manuscript Custodian Clue-seekers (detectives)

What is an archives?
Archives" is one of those words that can be either singular or plural, though it is relatively common to drop the "s" when referring to the singular. "Archives" can refer to a collection of archival materials, or
the facility in which the materials are stored, or

the organization that collects and maintains them.

Archives
are the non-current records of individuals, groups, institutions, and governments that contain information of enduring value and selected for permanent preservation Include unpublished letters, diaries, and other manuscripts photographs, films, video and sound recordings, maps and plans, computer tapes and similar electronic records, and video and optical disks

In 1967

My job position ~ Temporary Historiographer Qualifications ~ background in history writing and research skills no previous training nothing to unlearn

For 2 years (1967-1969)

What I did: Learned to process Quezon Presidential Papers (sort, classify, arrange)

Prepared a descriptive finding aid and index

Learned to decode, translate, decipher, make true copies Trained in microfilming using planetary camera and 35mm films

For 2 years (1967-1969)

What I enjoyed:
Working on the floor as I sorted out the manuscripts

Brushing on my Spanish language skill

Communicating with the ghosts inside the Filipiniana Reading Room

Assisting renowned scholars like Prof. Theodore Friend, David Sturtevant, Ben Kerkvliet, and others

Then in 1969-1971
Organized the microfilm section of the UP Diliman Main Library, trained staff to microfilming work, and serviced the microfilm collections of the Library.

Organized, arranged and described the papers of Carlos P. Romulo, and other personal papers and private manuscript collections at the Rare Books and Manuscript collection of the Library.
Organized, arranged, and microfilmed the Hukbalahap records of the Court of Appeals in Manila City Hall, and other radical collections.

In 1972-1973

Organized, arranged and described the UP Diliman Library manuscript collections, such as the papers of UP President Carlos P. Romulo, the Faustino Aguilar Literary Collection, Jorge Bocobo Papers, and the court records of Amado Hernandez. Organized and arranged the presidential papers of the late Carlos P. Garcia at his residence in Bohol Avenue, and facilitated their transfer to the National Library.

For 3 years (1969-1972)

What I enjoyed:
Job rotation a balancing act as head of the Microfilm Section, manuscript curator at the Rare Books & Mss Room, and cataloger of microfilmed collections Enrolling in MLS units free Taking the Civil Service Exam for Librarian, and Working independently on project basis again

At Ateneos Rizal Library in 1974-1975

Took over the Microform Section as microform librarian expanded the collection to include the Theses Microfiche Project and the ERIC Collection

With Judge Jose D. Ingles and granddaughter Jojo Laurel

With Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion, Senator Sotero Laurel and family

What archivists do
Archivists perform a wide variety of tasks: acquire, select, store and provide access to materials (that may come in the form of written documents, maps, photographs, films, memorabilia, etc) by providing description and finding aids to these collections assist users in using the collections; answer inquiries, give talks to groups, mount exhibitions, and publish plan and organize systems and procedures for the safekeeping of records and valuable documents to keep them secure, well-maintained, and preserved for posterity.

What archivists do
The time archivists spend on these activities varies depending on where they work.
In local government offices, archivists work with a variety of local records (local/oral histories).

Those who work in the national libraries often look after literary Manuscripts collections or Personal Papers.
University archivists may manage university records, or look after collections that belong to the institutions illustrious alumni or faculty, and those relating to specific subjects. In businesses, archivists look after records about company history and product development.

What archivists do
Some archivists specialize in the acquisition, management, description, and preservation of photographic or audiovisual materials or electronic records.

Other aspects of the job may include records management, digitization, public outreach, writing, and teaching or mentoring.
Archivists may keep records for local governments, educational institutions, business companies, churches, religious organizations, family estates, courts, hospitals, or charities.

What archivists do
Archivists record and catalogue each document, identify those that need repairing, and select the best way to store them.

They also decide which documents to keep for their historical value and which to discard.

In 1988

Initially, I was hired to work on the Aurelio Calderon Papers for 6 months, and to do a study-proposal on the establishment of a university archives for DLSU. Then I drew up and took charge of the implementation of the institutional archival program.

From 1989 to 1966

Directed all archival operations. Managed a regular staff of three assistant librarians and four library clerks.

Conducted regular training courses on archives and records management both within the university, the DLSU System and consortium member-schools.
Established a separate Special Collections under the management of the University Archives in 1989. and expanded the Special Collections to include the collections of: Felipe Liao (Numismatic Collection), Daniel Tantoco (Earthenware Collection), Lorenzo M. Taada, Francisco Ortigas, Jr., Local and Oral History Collection, and the Faculty Collections of Aurelio Calderon, Isagani R.Cruz, Emerita Quito, Wilfrido Villacorta, Andrew Gonzalez, FSC, Marcelino Foronda, Efren Abueg, Clodualdo del Mundo, Roberto Salazar, Tereso Tullao, Jr., etc. Embarked on the digitization of the university theses and dissertations, the Lorenzo Tanada Papers, rare Filipiniana materials, and other special collections.

and publish or perish!

Publications of the De La Salle University Archives

Finding Aids

DLSU Diary

Entrance to the De La Salle University Archives

De La Salle University Archives Reading Room

Selected archival materials on display at DLSU Archives

Felipe Liao Numismatic Collection at the DLSU Archives

Daniel R. Tantoco Jr. Collection of Museum Artifacts at DLSU Archives

Memorabilia Display at De La Salle University Archives

De La Salle University Archives La Salliana Collection

De La Salle University Archives Theses and CDs on display

De La Salle University Archives Special Collections

A peak inside the mobile shelf

De La Salle University Archives Publications

De La Salle University Archives Processing Area

My Archives team

As a DLSU ranked faculty, I was active as a Board director of the Faculty Association, contributing my skill and expertise in negotiating for a new Faculty Manual (1993 and (2002) as a member of the Technical Panel for its Revision. I was the first faculty to be promoted to the highest rank for non-teaching faculty ~ as Associate Professor, Rank 3-5 in 2003.

Archivists who work in the academe are usually tenured members of the faculty.

The Presidential Papers of Elpidio Quirino at the Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati City

The FHL has digitized 110,000 pages out of the 200,000+ in 130 boxes of the presidential papers of former President Elpidio Quirino.

This prestigious collection of over 200,000 pages, a historical and scholarly treasure, was originally housed at the Syquia Mansion in Vigan. In 1977, I facilitated their transfer from Vigan to the Ayala Foundation Library, where I organized, arranged and described them, in time for inclusion in my thesis on Presidential Papers, submitted for my Masters in Library Science in 1978.

Is it fun? a nurturing experience? What Archivists Do

Identify/appraise
Acquire/select Arrange and describe

Preserve
Make Available
....

If theres time, Promote, or reach out

Outreach activities
exhibits tours, open house, visits brochures, flyers, leaflets, etc. seminars or workshops books, other major publications

any activity demonstrating the value and diversity of archival collections

Personal Qualities and Skills

methodical and pay attention to detail. communication skills to interact with different kinds of people, to advise the public and to give lectures research skills are important in this work as you need to find out about the background of materials. background in history is useful as is good literary skills (writing) comfortable with new technology Work independently and without much supervision (can work in dirty conditions and carry heavy volumes) Discerning ~ be aware that some documents are confidential.

Opportunities
Undergraduate degree necessary, preferably in relevant discipline or field of study; graduate degree is desirable. no upper age limit for entry to this occupation mature entrants with relevant skills and experience, such as that gained in library or information profession, have a fair chance of entry salary and benefits depend on financial capacity of employing institution, and on how they value archival work, and appreciate your qualifications, skills and experience Welcome to a rare breed of professionals

famverzosa@yahoo.com