Skip to Main Content

HIST 405: Public History introduction to Special Collections and Archives

A collection of resources for students interested in public history with a focus on the role special collections librarians and archivists play in the field.

Think about positions in archives, special collections, digital asset management, etc.

Please complete the following activity in a Word document

  1. Think of a company, organization, prominent individual, etc. and try to find out if they have an archive.
    • What is the name of the entity you chose?
    • Did you find any evidence they have an archive?
    • Did you find out who works in the archive and what they do?
  2. Using the resources provided in this guide or using a search engine, find a position posting (job announcement) for an archivist, special collections librarian, digital asset manager, digital asset management librarian, curator of archives in a museum, or a related position.
    • What is the position title?
    • Looking at the job description, what seems attractive to you about this position?
    • What concerns you about this position?
    • Think of at least one question you have about the responsibilities for this position.

Time allowing, you will be asked to share what you found and ask the questions you have about the job's responsibilities.