Archives and Records Management
SI faculty member Margaret Hedstrom chaired the ARM specialization working group composed of Francis X. Blouin and Robert M. Warner, SI faculty, William Wallach, Director of the Bentley Historical Library, Elizabeth Yakel, SI Ph. D. candidate, and Mildred Jackson and Tom Hyry, SI masters-level students. The working group drafted a curriculum plan describing this specialization. Major changes and enhancements to the existing ARM curriculum were:
- Increased emphasis on modern records and electronic records in all aspects of the curriculum (as demonstrated by substantial revision to a course on electronic records and development of new course on digital preservation).
- Expansion of the existing curriculum (as demonstrated by the design of a new course on Access Systems for Archives proposed for Fall 1996 and on Appraisal and Selection of Archives proposed for Winter 1997).
- Adding diversity to experiential learning environments by expanding the number and variety of environments in which students can gain practical experience. Examples are a student internship at the Swedish National Archives in summer 1996 to explore access and management policies for electronic records under Swedish legislation and European Union guidelines, and at the New York State Archives to work on film and video preservation. Several students will be placed in University of Michigan offices to design management methods for active records.
