Architectural Records: Managing Design and Construction Records

This course has been retired.

Certificate Eligibility:

A&D

Credits:

10 ARC, 1.5 CEU

Length:

2 days

Format:

In-Person

Max Attendees:

Tier:

Tactical and Strategic

ACE Category:

General Archival Knowledge

Description:

Architectural design and construction records are valuable sources for understanding and preserving the built environment. Because they document a complicated work process, these records are typically oversize and produced in great volume with fragile materials and fugitive media. Implementing the basic archival functions of appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation and reference can present a formidable task.

In this two-day course, you’ll learn how to identify, manage, preserve, and provide access to design and construction records. The first day addresses the process of design, legal issues, appraisal, types of records, arrangement, and description; the second day focuses on media and support identification, preservation, reformatting, reference, and patron use. Taking into consideration the access needs of different types of repositories, as well as the reality of limited space and budgets, you’ll learn ideal practices as well as practical solutions.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the process of design and how it impacts processing this material

Understand the special legal issues that design records create

Identify types of records and their unique content

Develop methodologies for appraisal, arrangement, and description that are appropriate for different repositories

Identify specific media and supports

Recognize common types of deterioration and the actions needed for holdings maintenance or referral to professional conservators

Select storage and housing methods appropriate for their institution and budget

Make informed decisions about reformatting design and construction records for access and preservation

Address specialized handling, reproduction, and use needs when providing reference and access for this material

Who Should Attend:

Archivists, town clerks, curators, librarians, and others who are responsible for architectural and other design and construction records in archives, municipal and government agencies, museums, libraries, and historical societies

What You Should Already Know:

Participants should be familiar with archival practice in the areas of arrangement/description, preservation, and reference. Some understanding of architectural/design records and drawings, including born-digital records, would be useful.

A&D Core Competency:

1. Arrangement: Understand the process of organizing materials with respect to their provenance and original order to protect their context and facilitate access.

2. Description: Analyze and describe details about the attributes of a record or collection of records to facilitate identification, management, and understanding of the work.

3. Descriptive Standards: Apply rules and practices that codify the content of information used to represent archival materials in discovery tools according to published structural guidelines.

4. Management: Demonstrate ability to manage physical and intellectual control over archival materials.

Instructor(s):

Tawny Ryan Nelb

Waverly Lowell

Reviews:

"The section on types of architectural records and the examples shown will help me identify material in accessions and collections and potential preservation problems."

"IDing materials, housing, copyright/legal. Fact that it was two days—enough time to cover info without cramming."

"Everything was incredibly helpful—primarily the organization of architectural archives, preservation, appraisal—will directly relate to what I am doing." — Jennifer Parker

"The reference chart for types of architectural drawings—clear/handy/useful reference that we can all take with us—thank you!"

"Identifying media types, standard series for finding aid, conservation/preservation/handling storage." — Laura Bykowski

"The different media types and their unique and respective preservation and storage issues. Also as a government employee, it was very interesting and beneficial to get the private sector archive perspective (and university archives). Discussions and group setting was very effective in conveying the major issues in architectural archives. Visual aids were effective in enhancing what was presented in the lectures." — Matt Kasprzak

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