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A day in the life of an archivist…

Posted by: Blog Administrator on Nov 3, 2009

Tagged in: Work Experience , Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. , volunteers , village , variety , unlock , treasure-hunting , townswomen’s guild have , telephone rings , team meeting , strong room , search room , research , public , profession , procedures , Principal Archivist , postal strike , post , photographs , past , paperwork , owner , mould-infected , local studies , local school , local hospital , local history , living records , legal case , late 19th and early 20th centuries , laptop , jigsaw puzzle , information , immediate action , heritage field , guest speaker , glimpse , front door , file , fictional , fascination , eager , e-mails , duties , drying room , donation , day in the life , database , data projector , Council staff , computer , community centre , collection , Claire Skinner , challenge , catalogue , Archivist , archives conservators , Archives , archive service , afternoon meeting , accessioning , A-level history

No day is ever exactly like another for archivists, which is one of the reasons I went into the profession. It offers variety, challenge and a fascination for anyone interested in the past. The day below is a fictional one, a composite of many days in my life and those of my colleagues, designed to give a brief glimpse of just some of our many duties.


 
The Principal Archivist, Claire Skinner at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre Open Day, 2007


Today begins with our monthly team meeting – an opportunity for staff in both archives and local studies to talk about the operation of the search room and see if we can improve our procedures. Following this I unlock the front door at the usual time of 9.30 am and let in the people already waiting patiently outside, obviously eager to come in and begin or continue their research! 'Read more' to find out what else the day brings......
 





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