Archives and Libraries in the Digital World

       An overview of the electronic tools is essential to providing the student with an understanding and appreciation of the nature and functions of the profession(s) he/she is about to enter. This course assists in the development of a conceptual framework of the role of digital in libraries and archives. Lectures, discussions and assignments center on the work, concerns, and digital issues impacting archival work and librarianship. Also, an introduction to access and outreach theory set the stage for exploration of ways in which the archivist and librarian can achieve their goals of maximizing the access to history for all.
       By the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate acquaintance with the philosophical principles of reformatting documents and archival materials. Students will be albe to use the terminology and vocabulary of the technology used in the archival and library fields.  Students will understand the differing needs of analog versus digital materials including the principles of archival storage and access copies.  Students will also understand how to develop description processes for materials, regardless of format.  Finally students will understand how to develop reference and outreach services for an institution as well as plan marketing for the collection, thus completing the mission of information dissemination of archives and librarys.

(course also listed as HIS 7745)