Brian M., I think you make some good arguments about the need to expand
our skill sets.  Whether we enjoy this aspect of not, we can't seem to
get away from the administrative side of archival management.  Of
course, the alternative is that perhaps administrators with a
comprehensive knowledge of archives should take care of that aspect
while the archivists get on with what generally attracted them to the
profession in the first place.

Suzanne

Brian Masschaele wrote:
>
> Bruce, I tend to agree with you.  However, the situation may be changing somewhat at the federal level.  Did anyone catch that this potential new "political history museum" may be administered by the Library and Archives of Canada, which is in itself a newly merged institution in which archivists seem to be playing a prominent role in senior administration?
>
> As archivists, we need to be much more confident about our skill sets and our ability to lead and impact the merger process, not follow it.  I, for one, feel I am just as capable as any other heritage or information professional in running the whole show if it comes to that.  Nevertheless, I have had to augment my degree in archival studies with additional management training to feel this way.  I really think that there is a critical element missing in our graduate programs for archival studies with regards to management skills training, business case development and marketing.  These skills are imperative in today's environment.  Archivists need to learn how to market themselves better using the lingo of the day.  With this in mind, I think the AAO's conference theme of "absolute advocacy" is entirely appropriate.  Just my two cents ...
>
> Brian Masschaele, Archivist
> Elgin County Archives
> 450 Sunset Drive
> St. Thomas Ontario Canada N5R 5V1
> Ph: 519-631-1460, ext. 138 Fax: 519-631-9209
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
> >>> Bruce Beacock <[log in to unmask]> 05/29/03 09:47PM >>>
> Very interesting.  Brave words ... but I couldn't shake the feeling that
> they sounded like code for "glub..glub..glub."
> It's been both my experience and observation that "hybrid" heritage
> institutions inevitably subordinate the archives mission to that of the
> museum...or library...or tourism.  And why is it that an archivist never
> seems to head one of these creatures of political expediency?  Or am I
> just becoming cynical in my old age?
>
> Bruce Beacock
> County Archivist
> Simcoe County Archives
> 1149 Highway 26, RR 2
> MINESING  ON  L0L 1Y0
> (705) 726-9331 (t)
> (705) 725-5341 (f)
> [log in to unmask]
> http://www.county.simcoe.on.ca
>
> "Foster, Karin" <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent by: "A forum for discussion for the Archives Assoc. of Ontario"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> 28/05/2003 04:06 PM
> Please respond to "Foster, Karin"
>
>         To:     [log in to unmask]
>         cc:
>         Subject:        MAIG AGM - Related Link
>
> As a prelude to the planned mergers discussion at the AGM, MAIG members
> might be interested in the link below:
>
> http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/general/bcarbcm.htm
>
> Karin Foster
> Grey County Archives
> P.O. Box 1389
> Durham, ON
> N0G 1R0
> (519) 369-3245
> fax (519) 369-6547
> [log in to unmask]

--
Suzanne Dubeau
Acting University Archivist & Head, Special Collections
York University Archives & Special Collections
Scott Library, Room 305, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3
(416) 736-5442  FAX (416) 650-8039