In the not so distant past, archivists imagined that if we build a collection, they would come. In a competitive information market, however, most of us now recognize the need for reaching out to the public (whoever that may be) and marketing our services. In the bluntest terms, it is one way to remain relevant.
Assignment due: Outreach assessment write-up. Be prepared not only to hand in your paper, but to give a five minute presentation on your conclusions.
Assignment due: Proposal for research paper due at beginning of class.
Assignment due next week: Write a two page (2p.) paper comparing and contrasting three (any three) archival websites. Come prepared to discuss the organization, layout, appearance, content, navigation systems, and usability. Who are these sites intended to serve? How well do they achieve their mission? Speculate on the impact of a strong web presence upon the archive’s staff and how that staff might need to adjust to the new world of interconnectivity.
