Trends in Archives Practice

TRENDS IN ARCHIVES PRACTICE is an open-ended series by the Society of American Archivists featuring brief, authoritative treatments—written and edited by top-level professionals—that fill significant gaps in archival literature. The goal of this approach is to build agile, user-centered resources. Modules treat discrete topics relating to the practical management of archives and manuscript collections in the digital age. Modules  are clustered together by topic and can be purchased in print or electronic format (Adobe Digital Editions PDF or EPUB). In addition, modules are also available individually in electronic format so that readers can mix and match modules that best satisfy their needs and interests. All are available from the SAA Bookstore. 

All case studies included in the modules are open access. Click here to see a list and to access them.

If you have an idea for a module, read our module guidelines and contact SAA Publications Editor Stacie Williams 

Stay on trend with these TRENDS IN ARCHIVES PRACTICE (and more to come!) . . .

PROVIDING ACCESS TO PRIVACY-PROTECTED RECORDS AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE AGE OF RADICAL EMPATHY: CASES AND CONSIDERATIONS (MODULE 27) (2025) 

By Megan K. Friedel, Ashlyn Velte, and Jamie Marie Wagner

BORN-DIGITAL DESIGN RECORDS (2022) 

Edited with an introduction by Samantha Winn

• Module 24: Navigating the Technical Landscape of Born-Digital Design Records by Kristine Fallon, Aliza Leventhal, and Zach Vowell
• Module 25: Emerging Best Practices in the Accession, Preservation, and Emulation of Born-Digital Design Records by Jody Thompson, Euan Cochrane, Aliza Leventhal, Laura Schroffel, and Emily Vigor
• Module 26: Case Studies in Born-Digital Design Records by Aliza Leventhal, Stefana Breitwieser, Alex Jokinen, Mireille Nappert, and Zach Vowell

ENGAGEMENT IN THE DIGITAL ERA (2020) 

Edited with an introduction by Nicole J. Milano and Christopher J. Prom

• Module 21: Lights, Camera, Archives! by Daniel J. Linke and Travis H. Williams
• Module 22: Engaging Users with Archives: Programs That Get Results by Michele Casto, Jessica Lacher-Feldman, and Nicole J. Milano
• Module 23: Establishing Archival Connections through Online Engagement by Dina Kellams and Jennie Thomas 

PUTTING DESCRIPTIVE STANDARDS TO WORK (2017)

Edited with an introduction by Kris Kiesling and Christopher J. Prom

• Module 17: Implementing DACS by Cory L. Nimer
• Module 18: Using EAD3 by Kelcy Shepherd
• Module 19: Introducing EAC-CPF  by Katherine M. Wisser 
• Module 20: Sharing Archival Metadata by Aaron Rubinstein

APPRAISAL AND ACQUISITIONS STRATEGIES (2016)

Edited with an introduction by Michael J. Shallcross and Christopher J. Prom

• Module 14: Appraising Digital Records by Geof Huth
• Module 15: Collecting Digital Manuscripts and Archives by Megan Barnard and Gabriela Redwine 
• Module 16: Accessioning Digital Archives by Erin Faulder

DIGITAL PRESERVATION ESSENTIALS (2016)

Edited by Christopher J. Prom with an introduction by Kyle R. Rimkus

• Module 12: Preserving Digital Objects by Erin O’Meara and Kate Stratton
• Module 13: Digital Preservation Storage by Erin O’Meara and Kate Stratton

TEACHING WITH PRIMARY SOURCES (2016)

Edited by Christopher J. Prom and Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe

• Module 9: Contextualizing Archival Literacy by Elizabeth Yakel and Doris Malkmus
• Module 10: Teaching with Archives: A Guide for Archivists, Librarians, and Educators by Sammie L. Morris, Tamar Chute, and Ellen Swain
• Module 11: Connecting Students and Primary Sources: Cases and Examples by Tamar Chute, Ellen Swain, and Sammie L. Morris  

BECOMING A TRUSTED DIGITAL REPOSITORY (Module 8) (2015)

By Steve Marks with an introduction by Bruce I. Ambacher
Edited by Michael J. Shallcross

RIGHTS IN THE DIGITAL ERA (2015)

Edited with an introduction by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt and Christopher J. Prom 

• Module 4: Understanding Copyright Law by Heather Briston
• Module 5: Balancing Access and Privacy in Manuscript Collections by Menzi L. Behrnd-Klodt
• Module 6: Balancing Access and Privacy in the Records of Organizations by Menzi L. Behrnd-Klodt  
• Module 7: Managing Rights and Permissions by Aprille McKay

ARCHIVAL ARRANGEMENT AND DESCRIPTION (2013)

Edited with an introduction by Christopher J. Prom and Thomas J. Frusciano

• Module 1: Standards for Archival Description by Sibyl Schaefer and Janet M. Bunde
• Module 2: Processing Digital Records and Manuscripts by J. Gordon Daines III
• Module 3: Designing Descriptive and Access Systems by Daniel A. Santamaria