A Career in Record-Keeping

If you are interested in starting a career in record-keeping, whether it is in archives, records management or archive conservation, then read on!

 

Careers in archives and records management

 

Archivists acquire, manage and maintain documents and other materials that have historical and cultural significance for individuals, organisations and nations. As an archivist, a large part of your work is related to preserving information and making it accessible to all users.

Archives may include valuable historical books, papers, maps and plans, as well as photographs, prints, films, tapes, videos and digital records. Users include researchers, academics, the general public and work colleagues, who need to access archives in person or online.

Archive conservators work with archive professionals and other heritage professions and organisations. They are responsible for the preservation and conservation of historic documents. These include a range of materials and formats such as manuscript documents and books, parchment deeds and maps, seals as well as modern media including photographic material.

Archive conservators possess a unique combination of skills. A high level of manual dexterity is needed, combined with aesthetic flair, patience and sympathy for the materials they are working with. Knowledge of paper and parchment history and chemical processes is also required.

Many conservators work in local authority archive services, libraries, university archives, local history centres, museums and religious organisations.

Records management is responsible for the effective and appropriate management of an organisation's records in all forms, from their creation to their eventual disposal. As a professional activity it is related to knowledge and information management, as well as information compliance (data protection and freedom of information).

As a records manager you provide access to accurate records for a range of operational and strategic purposes, and ensure that legal obligations for the creation and retention of records are met. This includes controlling the number of records created and stored, and identifying which records are to be preserved for historical and research purposes and which should be destroyed.

 

Work experience

Getting some real-life work experience is often the best way to understand what it is like to work in many professions, including archives and records. A good place to start is The UK National Archives’ online archive directory. Also have a look online for local heritage organisations, museums, records offices and private sector businesses. Send them an email with a CV to introduce yourself and find out what opportunities they have. Be sure to follow up with a phone call a few days later. It’s never too early to start making connections in the profession.

Work experience will make you better prepared and strengthen your CV, making you more attractive to employers.

 

 

 

What jobs are available?

Even if you’re a long way from entering the world of work, it’s a good way to see the types of roles on offer and get a better idea of what you might want to do in the future. The following are useful sources of job adverts:

Have a look at the job descriptions and person specifications of roles you are interested in, noting what employers consider to be ‘essential’ or ‘desirable’, as this will help you think about the knowledge and skills you might need to develop. You’ll also get a good understanding of the salary levels on offer.

 

 

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a real job with training and can be a first step to a career in archives and records management. The Level 3 Libraries, Information and Archive Services (LIAS) Assistants apprenticeship offers a variety of career paths. Please visit the Institute for Apprenticeships website for further details. Note both of these are only available in England.

A Level 7 (post grad) Archivist and Records Manager apprenticeship is also now available, you can find out more about the Level 7 apprenticeship via the UK National Archives website here.

Accredited Courses

ARA accredited qualifications. A starting point for many careers, ARA-accredited post graduate courses can be studied at any stage of your career, whether following a degree or mid-career study. Courses vary from full-time, to part-time or with distance learning options available. You can make contact with the universities below to find a course that suits your interests.

The above universities and courses have been accredited by the ARA.

 
 

Additional course information for employers

The following courses are now closed or suspended. Graduates of these courses should be viewed as having an ARA accredited qualification.

  • Bangor University - Masters in Archive Administration 1985 to 2002.

  • Northumbria University - MSc in Information and Records Management 1999 to 2018.

  • Maynooth University - Masters in Historical Archives 2015 to 2020 currently suspended.

  • Society of Archivists - Diploma in Archive Administration closed in 2005.

  • University College Dublin - prior to 2006 the only available accredited course was a Diploma. The course was upgraded to a Masters in 2006.

 

The ARA’s Archive Conservation Training Scheme 

Training posts are also occasionally offered by Record Offices wherein the trainee undertakes the Archives and Records Association Archives Conservation Training Scheme. The scheme offers practical and theoretical training by ARA certified instructors at a variety of offices around the country.

Candidates should have at least 5 'O' Levels/GCSEs, including English Language. It would be useful to demonstrate craft skills and to have an appreciation of the intrinsic value of historical material.

 

 

 

Peer Pals

Peer Pals is a virtual mentoring programme aimed at supporting those entering a career in archives, records management or conservation run by the Section for New Professionals.