To meet the demands of archivists increasingly tasked with the responsibility for hybrid collections, this indispensable guide covers contemporary archival practice for managing analog and digital materials in a single publication. Terms describing activities central to the archival process--such as appraisal, acquisition, arrangement, description, storage, access, and preservation--are included. In addition, responsibilities traditionally considered outside the purview of the archivist but currently impacting professional activities--such as cybersecurity, digital forensics, digital curation, distributed systems (e.g., cloud computing), and distributed trust systems (e.g., blockchain)--are also covered. The Handbook is divided into ten sections: current environment; records creation and recordkeeping systems; appraisal and acquisition; arrangement and description; storage and preservation; digital preservation; user services; community outreach and advocacy; risk management, security and privacy; and management and leadership. Some terms touch on more than one category, which made sorting a challenge. Readers are encouraged to consult both the table of contents and the index, as a topic may be addressed in more than one entry. A total of 111 entries by 105 authors are defined and described in The Handbook. The majority (79) of the contributors were from the US, 12 from Canada, 7 from the United Kingdom, 3 from Australia, 1 each from Germany, Jamaica, New Zealand, and the Russian Federation. Because archival practice differs among practitioners in different countries, this work represents an amalgamation. The Handbook was written primarily for archival practitioners who wish to access desired information at the point of need. However, can also serve as a valuable resource for students pursuing careers in the archival profession and information professionals engaged in related fields.
Dr. Patricia C. Franks is professor and program coordinator for the Master of Archives and Records Administration program at the School of Information at San Jose State University. She is a certified archivist, certified records manager, and information governance professional and a member of ARMA International's Company of Fellows. She currently holds the office of vice president of the National Association of Government Archivists and Records Administrators. Franks is coeditor along with Luciana Duranti of the Encyclopedia of Archival Science and the Encyclopedia of Archival Writers, 1515-2015 and coeditor along with Anthony Bernier of the International Directory of National Archives. She is author of Records and Information Management now in its second edition.
Given the ease of finding information online through quick internet searches, handbooks might seem a resource of the past. Franks' collection counters this belief. Comprising 111 entries by 105 individual contributors--from different types of institutional libraries, including private, corporate, university, tribal, museum, and special libraries, who have different professional experience, including processing, management, technology, consulting, teaching, cataloging, and metadata--this handbook offers both professionals and novices a reference for questions about nearly all aspects of archival practice. Each entry references foundational and recent sources, and readers will easily find information on topics ranging from perennial issues to contemporary concerns, the latter including the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work, blockchains, and archival activism. Ten-plus appendixes provide copious information, including sample policies and forms, infographics, flowcharts, and scanning suggestions. Particularly useful is an appendix devoted to "crafting ... elevator speech." This work can be used as a source for new professionals and veterans of archives of any size or as a textbook for students taking introductory courses that require broad information rather than deep knowledge.Highly recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty, and professionals. -- "Choice Reviews" Our work as archivists is as varied and complex as the organizations within which we work. The Handbook of Archival Practice by Patricia C. Franks embraces this distinction while also serving as a refreshing reminder of what drew us into the field of archives in the first place and how our valued work continues to evolve over time. With its broad range of terms and clear definitions, The Handbook is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary resource that can be readily used to explain archival principles and practices to a wide-range of individuals, including those in complementary professions such as business, legal and information technology. The real-life perspectives and experiences of practicing archivists following each term are truly thought-provoking as well. As a state official with diverse duties that include an active archives, records and information management training and mentoring program for public employees, The Handbook is invaluable. Highly recommend! --Tanya Marshall, Vermont state archivist and chief records officer, State of Vermont The Handbook of Archival Practice is a valuable resource that covers a wide range of archival topics, including current and emerging trends and topics like archival activism, Blockchain, and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resource lists and case studies included with many of the entries provide examples of real-world applications of these topics, which makes the volume an excellent guide for archivists at all stages of their careers. I particularly appreciate that many of the entries provide starting points and examples for building more diverse and inclusive archives. --Harrison W. Inefuku, scholarly publishing services librarian, Iowa State University This handbook does provide the archival academic community with an amazing tool to promote the diversity and complexity of archival sciences in our departments, faculties, and universities. It also provides those working in archival institutions with a bueprint for action, discussion, and policy building. -- "Preservation, Digital Technology & Culture" This work edited by Franks is jam-packed with knowledge that can be utilized at any skill level, whether readers are amateur or expert archivists. It covers a multitude of topics, including disaster planning, processing collections, and digital preservation; each chapter is paired with an up-to-date list of references. The book's index, lists of figures and tables, and appendixes are immensely helpful for students or those researching in adjacent fields; librarians who might someday have to work with archival materials may also find the handbook helpful. Practical and anecdotal insight from Franks and other archivists elevates the text and distinguishes the handbook from other how-to guides in the field. One of the most valuable chapters, "The Prevailing Environment," explores social matters such as repatriation, archival activism, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the profession. Franks's account of her experience with archival activism is particularly thought-provoking, and her message is vital to the mission of archival accessibility. This comprehensive guide will be a staple for any archival student or professional. -- "Library Journal"
