Collection Gaps: The Detrimental Effect on Archival Collections

  Bowers, J., Crowe, K., & Keeran, P. (2017). “If You Want the History of a White Man, You Go to the Library” : Critiquing Our Legacy, Addressing Our Library Collections Gaps. Collection Management, 42(3–4), 159–179. https://doi.org/10.1080/01462679.2017.1329104

Submitted By: Gracie Petersmeyer

Summary

    In the article entitled "If You Want the History of a White Man, You Go to the Library' by Jennifer Bowers, Katherine Crowe, and Peggy Keeran, the University of Denver special collections librarians, our authors, are actively critiquing their collection is relation to its lack of content regarding Native American voices. 

    "In 2016, the Task Force on Native American Inclusivity [at the University of Denver] provided recommendations for more inclusion of Native American culture, history, and experience in the curriculum; a memorandum of understanding between DU and the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations," (Bowers et. al., 2017, p. 159). The University of Denver, being one of the first universities built when expanding westward, has a long and troubled past with the Native American communities surrounding the institution. The founding of the university was only completed in part due to a massacure of native populations by an early university public figure (Bowers  et. al., 2017, p.161). Over the course of the article, the university librarians determine that their special archives collection is not necessarily lacking in documents regarding the indigenous communities surrounding the university, but they are lacking in materials in their voice. Almost all of the collections are from the perspective a white person rather than the indigenous communities that were actively being colonized. 

    The librarians lay out a plan for how to better their collection as well as reframe the narrative of the topics discussed when from the point of view of a white colonizer. Using aspects of critical race theory and the feminist 'ethics of care' the librarians "critique collecting and cataloging practices, as these are often a continuation of the institutionalized dehumanization of marginalized people," (Bowers et. al., 2017, p. 163). While the librarians can't grow their collection significantly due to funding, they suggest buying a few titles and other materials that focus narrative on indigenous perspective, while working to actively reframe the collections that they already have from a different perspective. They also suggest utilizing online databases that have large collection of primary and secondary sources regarding these topics, such as the Library of Congress or ProQuest. The Indigenous communities currently living today should also be involved whenever possible, as these materials might be sensitive and require approval for use (Bowers et. al., 2017, pp. 167-169).

    When the archival materials are used in classes, for observation or otherwise, librarians should instruct the students to consider other perspectives. Since the current collection is mostly written from the perspective of white colonizers, student's should use other primary and secondary resources provided by the institution for context,  (Bowers et. al., 2017, pp. 172).

Opinion/Evaluation

    Overall, I thought that this article was well thought out and well researched. The librarians' recognize that their collections need to be updated and the perspective needs to be shifted. Their enthusiasm for this shift is evident and it is nice to see and institution that has been so involved in the history of the colonization of Indigenous lands be actively working towards making a difference in the history told. 

    I thought that the librarians' research into different theories of thought and teaching was throughout, as well as the context that followed. I also appreciated the inclusion of the cataloging and archival systems created by Indigenous archivists, even if it is not recognized by the Society of American Archivists. These conversations are important to have and those in power in institutions such as the University of Denver must continue to do better to represent everyone in history. 

    

Add Value or Shift the Focus?: A Summary of Quantitative Analysis Meets Art History by Minseo Kim

Anguiano, Jennifer

Kim, M. (2022). New Method for Museum Archiving: “Quantitative Analysis Meets Art History.” Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage, 15(4), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1145/3531018

Summary:

Kim's New Method for Museum Archiving: “Quantitative Analysis Meets Art History” explores the intersection of data-driven methodologies and traditional art historical approaches in museum archiving. The study introduces quantitative analysis as a tool to enhance the classification, preservation, and accessibility of museum collections. By integrating computational techniques, such as image processing and visualization, the research aims to improve the efficiency of archival systems while maintaining the integrity of historical narratives.

The article highlights the challenges of conventional museum archiving, emphasizing the need for structured data frameworks to support curatorial decisions. Kim argues that quantitative analysis can complement art history, offering new perspectives on collection management and historical interpretation. This approach promotes a more innovative and adaptable archival system, ensuring that museums can effectively document and analyze their collections in the digital age.

Evaluation/Opinion:

As a scholar who has only received traditional art history teachings, the idea of mixing it with data-driven methods feels exciting yet nerve-wrecking. Usually, studying art is all about interpretation, symbolism, and cultural context, as opposed to crunching numbers and running algorithms. It almost feels like the number aspect of data, would take away the human, emotional response to understanding artworks. However, if there is a new way to increase the organization and accessibility of a collection, it might be in the best interest of art historians to adapt. If museum administrators can use data tools to track artworks, spot trends or preserve items better, that could help their staff do their jobs more efficiently. The question is will it add value to traditional art history or end up shifting the focus too much towards numbers.

Archival Objectivity: An Examination of Mark Greene's Article on the 'Critique of Social Justice as an Archival Imperative'

 Wallace, William A.

Greene, M. A. (2013). A critique of social justice as an archival imperative: What is it we're doing that's all that important? The American Archivist, 76(2), pp. 302-334.

Greene's article opposes recent scholarship regarding social justice as an ethical standard within archival practice. Countering other scholars, he argues that social justice has no place within an archive. He describes social justice as an act against the archivist's standard, objectivity. He acknowledges an archivist's freedoms to be a whistleblower, but says it is no different than the opportunity in any other information profession. He argues that private organizations have a right to privacy. 

I found this article to be informative as one side of archival ethics. Combined with other articles in the other direction, it lays out a good approach to the problem. I agree with his sentiments about the pursuit of objectivity despite its inherent impossibility at times. I also agree that the type of social justice he is describing does constitute an inherent bias that can damage a collection's reputation, depriving it of materials from all sides. All in all, this article gave me a lot to think about, and I recommend it to any aspiring archivist who is looking to learn more about archival ethics.

 Vongdeuane, Johnny 

Archives in News 

In this CNN news, this new 3D scan technology will help digitize 3D materials in the archive's collections. The archives have other materials besides paper records. Archivists must manage the digital collections, so it does not overshadow the physical collections. Archivists must create “indexes that refer to the contents of a physical collection, in the hope that they will entice researchers away from their computers to travel far and wide to see tangible artifacts. While the Internet boom has made information more accessible and widespread than ever, that very ubiquity also threatens records and artifacts that do not easily lend themselves to digitization — because of cost, but also because Web surfers and more devoted data hounds simply find it easier to go online than to travel far and wide to see tangible artifacts” (Hafner, 2007). 

There are many pros and cons about digitization. Traditional analog materials can last a long time if they are well preserved and rarely used, but archivists want the collections to be used. The handling of the records will eventually cause wear and tears over time. "Digitization would allow much broader access to the contents...without exposing the physical manuscripts to added handling" (Hafner, 2007). Physical records can be easily destroyed when the unexpected happens like war. Digital files will last longer and do not take up physical space in the archives’ storage. Having a digital archive will allow more accessibility worldwide. The “new generation of researchers prefers to seek information online” so “putting collections online, for both preservation and accessibility” will help preserve “history that are at risk of disappearing or being ignored in the digital age” (Hafner, 2007). 

Archivists understand the importance of digitization but the issues for archivists are due to staffing, time and most importantly funding. Most archives cannot digitize everything in their holdings. Larger archives with huge collections do not have the time and staffing to do this, even though they have larger staff because archivists have other duties, they are responsible for. Also, “technology and copyright complications are huge impediments” (Hafner, 2007). For a digitization project, a team might include the archivist, a metadata librarian, a preservation librarian, a subject specialist, a programmer, or systems librarian, and/or a cataloger. Due to the rapid advancement of technology, checking if the software is up to date is necessary. “Working with the IT department is crucial to ensure that researchers can use these materials today and tomorrow. Technical metadata to detail file formats, resolutions, color profiles, and other information identifying a file's type and characterizing its content, it becomes really challenging to provide access to these records. If files are migrated, it is strongly recommended that the original file format be preserved to allow verification of success or other conversion actions in the future” (Prof. Lawrimore). The problem for digitization is cost. “Archivists at the Library of Congress say. Plans to digitize The National Intelligencer, a newspaper published in Washington during much of the 19th century and filled with colonial script not easily recognized by digitizing equipment, eventually had to be put on hold because of the high expense” (Hafner, 2007). 

The archivists' goal is to preserve history and to share it with present and future generations. If digitization will help promote and bring in funding, archivists will do it. Also, funding is required before digitization can be accomplished. 

 

References 

CNN. (2022, February). See how 3D scans could save Ukraine's culture. https://www.cnn.com/videos/style/2022/05/10/backup-ukraine-heritage-sites-lon-orig-na.cnn 

Hafner, K. (2007, March 10). History, digitized (and abridged). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/10/business/yourmoney/11archive.html 

Prof. Lawrimore. (2023). INFO 256 lecture.

'Zines in Library Archival Spaces

Hays, A. (2018). Zine authors’ attitudes about inclusion in public and academic library collections: A survey-based study. Library Quarterly, 88(1), 60–78. https://doi-org.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/10.1086/694869

Zines are powerful cultural artifacts that have long histories in uprisings, counter culture movements, underground scenes, and other such revolutionary circles. It’s fascinating to see academic discourse on this subject because it seems so antithetical, yet par for the course. That the tools of anti-establishment come full circle to be products of study in said settings, to be digested by establishment academics and stored for their posterity. Ironically, those zines, which were to be disseminated for a crowd that often did not have access to academic spaces will now not be able to access those same documents, either because they do not know about the zines, or because they don’t have access via enrollment or funds. It’s actually quite disturbing to think about.

In regard to zines as cultural products for underrepresented and minority identities, one must always consider the impact of archiving the zine, its benefit to the communities it was meant to serve, and the motivations which compel the institution to archive them. One such example is QZAP: “Specialized zine collections outside traditional institutions such as the Queer Zine Archive Project (QZAP) and the POC Zine Project aim to fill the gaps in mainstream zine collections by collecting, respectively, queer zines and zines by people of color. Doing so is in keeping with ALA’s (2004) “Core Values”: “We value our nation’s diversity and strive to reflect that diversity by providing a full spectrum of resources and services to the communities we serve.” Zine collections help fulfill that mission.” 

Additionally, privacy concerns are of paramount importance in the 21st century and the age of information. An ethical quandary presents itself: If the authors of zines wanted them available digitally, they would have made them available in that format. At what point does one transgress and usurp the author’s intention in the name of “preservation”. What if that media was not meant to be “preserved”? These decisions have implications that can have devastating outcomes for zine authors, especially when it comes to zines on controversial topics (that shouldn't be controversial), such as the bodily rights of pregnant people, gender and sexual equality, and race.

However, despite my concerns, many of these zine creators who would have to contend with the repercussions that can come from personally identifiable information being put on the internet are okay with having their zines cataloged and made available digitally. I would not have expected that outcome, mostly because I would not want that for myself. If I presented sensitive info in a limited forum (that’s what I’m considering a zine), and it made its way to the internet, especially if I made these statement long before the mainstream internet was a thing, I’d be wildly uncomfortable. But hey, that’s just me.