Museum Archives

Museum Archives: Practice, Issues, Advocacy, edited by Rachel Chatalbash, Susan Hernandez, and Megan Schwenke, articulates what museum archivists do, the impact of their work, and how they can position the archives as an indispensable hub of knowledge and activity within the museum. Twenty-seven museum archivists provide practical guidance on the day-to-day management of archives and explore strategies for effectively carrying out the museum archives’ work. Readers will learn to: (1) Apply archival fundamentals of acquisition, arrangement and description, and access to the museum context; (2) Steward special formats such as audiovisual records, oral histories, photographs, architectural records, field notes, and artists’ records; (3) Support provenance research and uphold professional ethics and values; and (4) Employ holistic fundraising and advocate for institutional support. Essential reading for new and experienced archivists alike, this book offers best practices and advocacy tools for the successful management of museum archives.