What Do Archivists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Archivists appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials. They also organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.

Other tasks include:

• Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
• Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
• Establish and administer policy guidelines concerning public access and use of materials.
• Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.
• Create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology.
• Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.

We asked Archivists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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72% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 51% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Archivists create and maintain accessible, retrievable computer archives and databases, incorporating current advances in electronic information storage technology. They provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.

A typical day for an Archivist will also include:

• Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.
• Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
• Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials.
• Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.
• Preserve records, documents, and objects, copying records to film, videotape, audiotape, disk, or computer formats as necessary.

We asked some Archivists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	63% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	9% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	78% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	34% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	19% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Archivists also locate new materials and direct their acquisition and display. They may also coordinate educational and public outreach programs, such as tours, workshops, lectures, and classes.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Archivists Research and record the origins and historical significance of archival materials. They might also Specialize in an area of history or technology, researching topics or items relevant to collections to determine what should be retained or acquired.

In addition, they Direct activities of workers who assist in arranging, cataloguing, exhibiting, and maintaining collections of valuable materials.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.

To some Archivists, it is also their responsibility to Select and edit documents for publication and display, applying knowledge of subject, literary expression, and presentation techniques.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Archivist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/education-training-and-library/curators-museum-technicians-and-conservators.htm

http://www.statearchivists.org/

http://www.archivists.org/