Western Archives Institute

The Western Archives Institute (WAI) is an intensive, two-week online program that offers integrated instruction in basic archival practices. It is designed for individuals with diverse professional goals, including those whose roles require a foundational understanding of archival skills but who have little or no prior archival training; those assuming increased responsibility for archival materials; practicing archivists without formal archival education; and individuals committed to pursuing a career in archives.

The Institute features a diverse curriculum of synchronous sessions that include:

• Introduction to the archival profession and core concepts
• Starting and managing an Archives program
• Principles of archival collection arrangement and description
• Best practices for digitization, digital preservation, and born-digital content management
• Outreach and public relations
• Reference and access
• Ethical, social, and legal issues in administering archival collections
• Working with communities
• Fundraising for an Archives program

Applications for the program are usually due in April, and the institute generally takes place in June or July.