New SAA Book Guides Archivists in Dynamic Business Environments

Managing Business Archives, a new book edited by Sarah A. Polirer, CA, CRM, a Fortune 100 company archivist, and published by the Society of American Archivists, adeptly describes how archivists can apply archival theory and standards to corporate settings.

Business archivists need to be flexible, adaptable, and creative so that they can easily pivot to meet their companies’ changing priorities and needs. With insightful examples and practical discussions, Managing Business Archives provides direction for archivists making decisions in a dynamic business climate.

Nine corporate archivists apply the core archival functions of

• selection, appraisal, and acquisition,
• arrangement and description,
• reference and access,
• preservation,
• outreach and advocacy,
• ethical and legal responsibilities, and
• archival management.

Successful management of business archives is based upon these core archival principles—and the knowledge of when and how to apply and adapt these principles. Each chapter integrates current trends in business archives to help business archivists effectively achieve strategic priorities. A bibliography after each chapter offers further guidance and resources.

“Managing Business Archives effectively guides corporate archivists in understanding archival principles and determining when to pragmatically diverge from them,” said Michael Bullington, senior archives manager, at McDonald’s Corporation. “Business and non-business archivists alike will benefit from learning about the unique role the business archivist plays in the profession.”

In addition to Polirer, contributors include Menzi L. Behrnd-Klodt, JD, CA, (Klodt and Associates), Ryan Anthony Donaldson, CA (Washington State Jewish Archives), Linda Edgerly (The Winthrop Group, Inc.), Marie Force, CA (Delta Flight Museum), Scott Grimwood, CA (SSM Health), Paul C. Lasewicz (McKinsey & Company), Sam Markham (The Winthrop Group, Inc.), and Jamie Martin (IBM Corporation).

Learn more about the book at https://tinyurl.com/managing-business-archives.