Professional Learning Resources
Lifelong learning is an essential part of being a successful professional. The field of library science is constantly evolving. New technologies and best practices are being introduced frequently. As a professionals it is our responsibility to stay ahead of these new developments and be prepared to implement them in our own libraries, archives, etc. Over the course of my professional education I have been exposed to many tools and resources that I will continue to use as a professional moving forward. As a result, I thought it would be a good idea to keep track of them here, so that I can have quick access to them in the future. They are listed in no particular order.
- ABC for Book Collectors (9th Ed.) by John Carter
The is a excellent reference resource that can be used to look up the multitude of terms that are used in the fields of bibliography and book collecting.
- A New Introduction to Bibliography by Philip Gaskell
The book provides great insights into the field of bibliography and contains many illustrations and diagrams to aid in understanding. Of particular interest are the portions which cover papermaking and bookbinding.
- Introduction to Imaging (Revised Ed.) by Howard Besser
This is great resource for familiarizing oneself with the fundamental concepts that go into digital imaging for archival and library collections. There are a few out of date sections but overall much of the material is still applicable. It can be found both digitally and as a physical paperback through the Getty website.
Link to digital copy:
- OCLC's Bibliographic Formats and Standards (4th Ed.)
This online resource provides information about how MARC records should be created for the OCLC's WorldCat database. It is especially helpful for understanding and coding MARC fields and subfields, which can be quite confusing to the untrained eye.
- ALA's RDA Toolkit
The resource to use when cataloging for the RDA standard. The layout of this tool makes finding the information you need very easy and quick and the explanations it provides are very clear. It does require a subscription.
- SAA's Describing Archives: A Content Standard (Online Version)
DACS is one of the most common archival description standards in the US and this tool is the best way to understand and make use of it. The user-friendly Github version of the standard is really nicely laid out and is super easy to navigate. The whole document can also be downloaded as a PDF and printed out (if one was so inclined).
Link: https://saa-ts-dacs.github.io/dacs/06_part_I/01_introduction_to_describing_archival_materials.html
- ArchivesSpace
ArchivesSpace is a collections management application that is very common in a lot of archives. The website for the organization that maintains the open-source software has a lot of great resources for becoming more familiar with the software and provides a place where the archival community can come together and collaboratively improve the software.
- The Library of Congress's Classification Web
The LC Classification system is very common in many university and private libraries across the US. The ClassificationWeb is a tool create by the Library of Congress to make it easy to navigate and explore the LCC. It is a subscription service, but it would be indispensable if you need to catalogue with the LCC system.
Link: https://classweb.org/
- NEDCC Preservation Leaflets
The NorthEast Document Conservation Center has and continues to publish leaflets which provide guidance about the best practices for preserving and conserving various types of objects that may be found in library and archival collections. These leaflets are freely downloadable from the NEDCC's website.
- National Park Service's Preservation Briefs
The briefs provide guidance about preserving, rehabilitating, and historic buildings. They are freely available on the NPS website.
- National Park Service's Conserve O Grams
These publications by the National Park Service are similar to the leaflets created by the NEDCC but cover a broader range of topics and materials. The Conserve O Grams can be easily accessed through the NPS website for free.
- Archival Arrangement and Description by Christopher J. Prom & Thomas J. Frusciano
This book serves as a good reference guide for understanding recent trends and development in the practice of archival arrangement and description. It is especially useful in that it discusses many of the current tools and resources that archives can use to process and manage their collections, including things like collection management software.
- Arranging and Describing: Archives and Manuscripts by Dennis Meissner
This work offers a broad explanation of the work and techniques that go into the arrangement and description of archival collections. It is particularly interesting because it is written by the fellow who proposed the idea of "more product, less process" or MPLP and even features a meditation by the author on the impact of MPLP on archival practice in the years since he first published his ideas.
- Collection Management Basics (7th Ed.) by Margaret Zarnosky Saponaro and G. Edward Evans
This textbook provides a detailed introduction to collection management and the challenges that come with caring for and building library and archival collection. The book features many excellent examples that help explain the importance of good collection management policies and provides a lot of good advice for new library and archives administrators.
- Society of American Archivist (Website)
The SAA has loads of resources and toolkits that both organizations and individuals can use to improve their archival practices and become the best they can be. The SAA also offers courses where archivists can earn training and certifications.