The Archival Facility
INF 389C
SPRING, 2005

Jan 18 Introduction: Matters on which to focus during the course; introduction to the Austin History Center and Eric Travis; Archival Enterprise for non-archivists: presentations by archival students.
Archival concepts (Records information; collecting/administrative archives
The five basic functions: appraisal and acquisition, processing, preservation, customer service, administration (including marketing)
The workflow of archival operations

Jan 25 History of archival buildings; History of architectural expression; Archival space

Readings:

• Gracy, "Where Function Meets Form"
• Sweeny, "The Physical and Sociocultural Environments"
• Kellermann, "Observations on Archives Repositories in Overseas Countries"
• Ellis, Keeping Archives, 42-65

Feb 1 Architectural Programming; architecture vocabulary and records.

Readings:

• Lushington, Libraries Designed for Users
• Gondos, "Programming/Planning"
• Schewe, "When Archivist Meets Architect"
• Study programs for archival buildings

Feb 8 Visit the AHC and the Faulk Library building; Issues in adapting buildings for archival use.
Introduction to (1) mission and goals of the AHC, (2) spaces and relationships of spaces, (3) workflow, (4) kinds of holdings. Receive copy of floor plans.

Readings:

• Richard, "Features of Three New Archives Buildings"
• Haymond, "Adaptive Reuse of Old Buildings for Archives"
• Christian and Finnegan, "On Planning an Archives"

Feb 15 Study LBJ Presidential Library; programming, spaces, workflor (planned and actual)

Feb 22 Student reports on space utilization and structural experiences of archival facilities constructed or renovated within the past 15 years. Beth Dodd on adaptation of a library structure for archival operations.
ASSIGNMENT #2 DUE

Mar 1 Meet with AHC staff and AHCA executive director on (1) anticipated needs and problems of (a) utilizing the new facility, (b) operating two facilities; (2) things they would like to see/not see in the new facility; (3) desires for best case scenario with regard to new space.

Mar 8 Fire detection/suppression

Readings:

• National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 232 Standard for the Protection of Records, 2000 Edition

Mar 22 Environment (include pest management, holdings maintenance, disaster preparedness, HVAC system)

Mar 29 Lighting (artificial lighting, management of sunlight for staff, patrons, holdings)

Apl 5 Shelving and housing (stationary and mobile, calculations of cubic feet of storage per square foot of floor space, containers for documentation of all shapes and sizes)

Apl 12 Visitor experience: signage, exhibits, search room

Review:

• Sweeney, chapter 2

Apl 19 Special needs materials (size, temperature, handling, retrieval, preservation for documentation such as oversize paper, photographic material, audio/video tapes)

Apl 26 Project Meetings

May 3 Presentation of results to Austin History Center staff
ASSIGNMENT #4 Due