Through the Looking Glass: Archivists as Researchers
- Sasha Kim (Denison University)
- Dara Baker (National Archives and Records Administration)
- Sarah R. Demb (Harvard University)
- Deirdre A. Scaggs (University of Kentucky)
Abstract
As professional archivists, we are dedicated to facilitating and supporting research in our collections. For those of us who’ve worked reference, we know what to do to help researchers but what transformations happen when we become researchers ourselves? How does our professional training inform our research approaches in other collections? And, how do our research experiences then affect our practice? When Sasha Griffin began a personal, international research project to find more information about her adoption, she realized that the topic of archivists as archives researchers and users is rarely addressed in our profession. Join Griffin for a talk-show style session featuring archivists Dara Baker, Sarah R. Demb, and Deirdre Scaggs discussing the intersection between being archival stewards, and being archives users. Dara Baker (NARA and Salve Regina University) used archives as a researcher before becoming an archivist and, now after a decade as an archivist, is utilizing archives for her Ph.D. dissertation. Sarah Demb (Harvard University Archives) will discuss her research experience with and professional response to an unprocessed collection. Deirdre Scaggs (The University of Kentucky) will explore the advantages of being an archivist while researching manuscript collections for her cookbook The Historic Kentucky Kitchen: Traditional Recipes for Today’s Cook.
How to Cite:
Kim, S., Baker, D., Demb, S. R. & Scaggs, D. A., (2022) “Through the Looking Glass: Archivists as Researchers”, MAC Annual Meeting Presentations 2022(1).
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