Meeting #18: Envisioning the Archival Commons

When: Friday, January 15,, 4-5 PM.

Where: BRBL 39

Text under discussion:

Anderson, Scott R., and Robert B. Allen, "Envisioning the Archival Commons," The American Archivist 72 (2): 383-400.

Link to PDF: archivalcommons.pdf

Abstract:

Scott Anderson and Robert Allen propose "an archival commons to support networked documentation efforts," envisioning "a peer-based framework for the assembly, arrangement, and representation of related resources within the context and systems of archives, libraries, and cultural heritage organizations." They use Anthony Giddens's theory of structuration to propose "basic functionalities to be provided by an archival commons [that] would broaden the ability to form social memory in a commons-based environment."

What do we think of this? Have Anderson and Allen articulated a framework that looks like it could work within the context of the varied cultural heritage institutions, and the different collecting and descriptive traditions found in the libraries, archives, and museums at Yale University? What have they missed? Is Giddens's theory of structuration a useful way of framing the development of future, more interactive systems for assembling, arranging, representing, and maintaining digital cultural heritage resources?

Join us to discuss the Anderson and Allen article, and whether or not it helps us think about the shape of the information space we'll all be working in at some not-so-distant future point. Does their vision help us as we struggle to integrate digital collection materials--natively digital and facsimiles--and natively digital students and researchers in meaningful ways that insure the excellence and relevance to the university's core mission of Yale's unique special collections into the future?

Discussion leaders:

Tom Hyry and Bill Landis