Resources for Historical Records

There are numerous tools, resources, and educational opportunities available online. This list is not comprehensive, nor should any resources listed be considered endorsed by SHRAB in any way.

Professional associations

• Society of American Archivists (SAA) is North America’s oldest and largest national archival professional association. Their newsletter, semi-annual journal, and bound publications are used broadly in the field.
• Midwest Archives Conference (MAC) is the nation’s largest regional professional association for archivists, and serves 13 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
• Twin Cities Archivists’ Roundtable (TCART) was founded in 1982, with the aim of advancing the archival profession in the area through educational opportunities and resource sharing.
• American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) is a an organization that aims to support local history institutions as well as the professionals and volunteers that work there.
• National Association of Government Archivists and Records Administrators (NAGARA) is dedicated to the effective use and management of federal, state, and local government records and information in all formats. NAGARA champions good management of government archives and records programs for the benefit of government and its citizens.
• The State Historic Preservation Office, part of the Minnesota Historical Society, maintains a Local History Services page, which features a directory of Minnesota historical organizations.
• The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) hosts a list of professional organizations as part of their Archives Library Information Center.

Appraisal and selection

• The University of Texas Arlington Archives and Manuscripts Processing Manual (PDF) includes foundations of appraisal, arrangement, and other important functions.
• The British National Archives site hosts numerous resources for archivists on appraisal and selection as part of their How to Manage Your Information site.
• The National Archives hosts T.R. Schellenberg’s The Appraisal of Modern Records from 1956.

Repository and collections planning

• The Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office offers guidance on starting your own historical organization.
• The Hathi Trust hosts several out-of-print SAA publications, including a freely available copy of Richard Pearce-Moses’ 2005 Glossary of Archival and Records Terminology, a helpful guide to navigating the jargon-filled archival profession.
• The Hathi Trust has a 2002 publication by SAA and ARMA titled Sample Forms for Archival and Records Management Programs.
• Resources for Volunteer Programs in Archives, a publication by SAA and NARA, can help institutions create, maintain, and improve volunteer programs.
• Building Museums: A Handbook for Small and Midsize Organizations, written by Minnesota Historical Society staff, features guidance and tools for renovating and building small and mid-sized museums.

Arrangement and description

• The NISO publication Understanding Metadata (PDF) offers both introductory and standard-specific information on metadata and how it is used in archives.
• The University of Texas Arlington Archives and Manuscripts Processing Manual (PDF) includes foundations of appraisal, arrangement, and other important functions.
• Archival Description at the Library of Congress features links and information on the major standards used in archival description, including EAD, DACS, and more. EAD features technical information as well as links to helpful information about the Encoded Archival Description standard.
• Describing Archives: A Content Standard is the most commonly used content standard for archival description and can be used in creating EAD or text finding aids as well as MARC 21 records.

Records storage and inventorying

• Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) has numerous free resources on collections care for paper, photographs, bound books, audio/video, and more. Of particular interest are their Preservation Leaflets.
• The New York State Archives has published a helpful guide to Inventorying and Planning (PDF).
• The National Archives has a page covering the basics of records inventories along with other resources for those managing records.

Conservation and preservation

• Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) has numerous free resources on collections care for paper, photographs, bound books, audio/video, and more. Of particular interest are their Preservation Leaflets.
• The National Archives’ Preservation resources offers guidance for specific formats, as well as information on storage environment and handling procedures.
• The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works offers several resources, including online and printed publications, educational opportunities, and webinars.
• Minnesota Historical Society’s Conservation website offers resources in collections care, disaster response and salvage, and a helpful “how-to" podcast series.
• Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office provides information and guidance on preserving and reusing historic structures.

Disaster planning and recovery

• Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) has numerous free resources on collections care for paper, photographs, bound books, audio/video, and more. Of particular interest are their Preservation Leaflets.
• The National Archives’ Records Emergency Information features numerous disaster planning resources.
• Heritage Emergency National Task Force has many resources, including both paid and free resources.
• The Council of State Archivists’ Emergency Preparedness Initiative was developed specifically to help state and local governments prepare for disaster. The Minnesota Historical Society’s Conservation website offers resources in collections care, disaster response and salvage, and a helpful “how-to"’ podcast series.
• The Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office has an online publication titled Thinking About the Unthinkable: A Disaster Plan for Historic Properties in Minnesota, along with a page of preservation resources.

Legal issues

• Columbia University Libraries hosts a Copyright Advisory Service offers information on copyright law specific to libraries and archives.
• Navigating Legal Issues in Archives, for sale in the SAA bookstore, offers in-depth information on issues including copyright, intellectual property, documenting ownership of collections, and navigating the legal system.

Access and reference services

• Reference and Access: Innovative Practices in Archives and Special Collections, published in 2014, is available free online through Google Books. It features essays on numerous aspects of reference, access, and outreach with particular focus on the use of technology to increase and improve access to archival materials.
• Reference Services for Archives and Manuscripts by Linda Katz and Laura Cohen, available free online through Google Books, offers an in-depth at providing reference in archives.
• The SAA website features an position statement titled Basic Principles for Managing Intellectual Property in the Digital Environment: An Archival Perspective.
• The Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office has collected numerous resources on interpretation, including exhibits, interpretation, public programs, and more.

Outreach and advocacy

• National History Day MN features lots of information about History Day, including information for librarians.
• The National History Day wiki includes a toolkit for archivists on participating in History Day activities, including how to prepare for class visits and highlighting your collections.
• The Society of American Archivists’ American Archives Month page features lots of great ways to enhance awareness and increase involvement at your institution.
• The Society of American Archivists’ Professional Issues & Advocacy page features initiatives, position statements, and ideas for advocating for your organization.

Oral history

• Oral History in the Digital Age: A fantastic one-stop-shop for everything digital and oral history, from putting content online to equipment choices.
• The Oral History Association is the national organization for Oral History, and their listserv H-Oralhist is a great resource to get any oral history question answered.
• The Oral History Office at the Minnesota Historical Society is a great resource for the basics on how to do an oral history project, and links to all of MNHS' projects. Contact: ryan.barland@mnhs.org.
• The Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage offers an Oral History Interviewing Guide to help you with your own oral history projects.

Digitization

• Digitization Guidelines, hosted by the Federal Agencies Digitization Guidelines Initiative, offers resources and standards for the digitization of various media, including images, video, and text.
• Minnesota Digital Library offers guidance on all aspects of digitization projects, including metadata and imaging standards.
• Western States Digital Imaging Best Practices (PDF), though from 2003, are a useful resource for the technical aspects of scanning materials.

Digital records

• You’ve Got to Walk Before You Can Run by Ricky Erway of OCLC Research is a wonderful introductory article on managing born-digital content.
• Digital Preservation Management is an excellent introductory tutorial to the world of digital preservation.
• The Library of Congress hosts a Digital Preservation site that showcases an extensive set of tools, resources, educational events, and more.
• Digital Preservation in a Box, maintained by the National Digital Stewardship Alliance, is a site that features numerous guides and resources for digitization of paper materials and preserving digital formats.
• Digital Preservation Best Practices and Guidelines offers help for file creation and management, as well as policy development.
• Digital Preservation Q&A is a forum for posting questions and answers about digital formats and preservation.

Government records

• The Council of State Archivists (COSA) hosts an Archives Resource Center that features tools and resources designed specifically for state and local government records.
• National Association of Government Archives & Records Administrators (NAGARA) has published several Local Government Records Management Technical Bulletins.
• State Archives at the Minnesota Historical Society features a page on Government Records Services, as well as the Center for Archival Resources on Legislatures (CAROL).

Sound and visual

• The National Film Preservation Foundation offers information and grants about the preservation of film, including their preservation book, The Film Preservation Guide (PDF).
• The Association of Moving Image Archivists offers several resources, publications, and events.
• Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) has numerous free resources on collections care for paper, photographs, bound books, audio/video, and more. Of particular interest are their Preservation Leaflets.

Microfilm

• The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) offers information on its ongoing microfilming projects, along with a guide on The Selection and Preparation of Records for Publication On Microfilm.
• Library and Archives Canada has an online set of Guidelines for Microfilming Records of Archival Value.