Message-Id: <mailto:199411291901.AA23130@wugate.wustl.edu> Date: Tue, 29 Nov 1994 14:00:34 -0500 From: mailto:SMITH%HULAW1.HARVARD.EDU@wuvmd.bitnet Subject: Re: Position description To: Multiple recipients of list IMAGELIB
Not to fan the flames here, but in regards to professional qualifications for someone managing a slide collection we should be talking about the qualifications for dealing with this type of material (slides/visual resources) rather than the institution in which these materials are housed (a library). I curate a collection of paintings, sculpture, works on paper (prints & drawings), historic furniture and artifacts, as well as manage a photograph archive -- all this within the context of an academic law library! What should my training be? -- MLS, law degree, archival certification? We have people on our staff with all of these qualifications. My background is in cultural history, art history, and museum studies. I have and am continuing to put together the best training program I can to work with the materials under my care. It is not readily apparent to me that a library degree would help in the least with managing a slide collection, other than perhaps understanding its institutional environment. This reminds me of the constantly debated topic in archival circles as to whether an archivist should have an MLS, an MA in an appropriate subject area (usually history), or whether a special program (MAS -- Masters in Archival Science) should be developed. Again I would say that it depends on the materials being managed and not the institutional setting which should determine the qualifications for the job.Steven mailto:smith@hulaw1.harvard.edu