Rationale: Towards a Professional Standard

Archivists are charged with the protection of archives and their evidential and informational value. To this end, daily archival practices are based on two principles - provenance and respect des fonds. Assuring the original order and interpreting the context and use of records pose the archival challenge and require professional skills. This unique role and specialized theory have contributed to archivists' growing sense of professionalism.

The pathways to the archival profession are numerous. Today, various pre and post appointment education programmes offer archival training. Further, the skills, experience and education that archivists bring to their work vary. Despite these differences, archivists realize that they share responsibility for ensuring that archival work is done at a consistent and professional level across the province. To this end, the Professional Development Committee has initiated the development of criterion for professional standards for today's archivists in Ontario.

Purpose

1.1 To maintain the Professional Development Committee Chair's responsibility for the development of professional standards.

1.2 To act as a criterion of professional education for archivists at all levels.

1.3 To act as a practical tool in order to:

• introduce new members of the profession to these requirements
• remind experienced archivists of their professional responsibilities
• inspire public confidence in the archival profession.

1.4 To stimulate further discussion and study.

Requirements

Interpretation of these requirements: this document was devised on the premise that archival knowledge forms the core of all archival training. The Archives Association of Ontario encourages archivists to pursue all elements of the archival knowledge spectrum once a base of archival knowledge is achieved. Archivists are not required to fulfill all parts of the knowledge requirements list detailing contextual and complementary knowledge. These specific knowledge areas should be pursued dependant on one's interests, job description and/or the size of the pertinent archival institution. The three knowledge areas are as follows:

Explanation

Knowledge that is a prerequisite for anyone wishing to be an archivist. Substantial knowledge of each of these subjects is essential, regardless of the size of the institution.

Examples

• access and privacy
• acquisition
• appraisal
• arrangement
• description
• preservation
• reference and outreach services

Where Obtained

The Archives Association of Ontario (AAO) certificate course, colleges, and universities provide training in each of these topics.

Explanation

Examples

• culture of technology
• diplomatics
• history of archives
• legal studies
• organizational culture
• organizational and institutional history and practices
• policy procedures
• political culture
• social culture

Where Obtained

Colleges and universities provide education in some or all of these topics; knowledge of a particular institution's history and practices is acquired while working at a specific archives.

Explanation

Knowledge that is specialized. In acknowledging that archivists bring a wide range of backgrounds, skills, and education to the workplace, complementary knowledge consists of the many skills that enhance the archivist's ability to perform related duties and tasks.

Examples

• conservation
• display practices
• fund raising
• in-depth knowledge of one or more fields of history
• information systems
• job-specific knowledge
• management skills
• multiple languages
• publishing
• research skills
• specialized knowledge of media
• volunteerism

Where Obtained

This knowledge can be obtained through complementary disciplines or through continuing education courses offered by the AAO.

Please review the draft. Your participation is encouraged! If you wish have to a brochure, contact the chair of the PDC. Please e-mail your comments to the Director of Professional Development.