Basics of Archives (Fall 2023) - Online Course

  • Registration Closed

Course Description

The Basics of Archives online course is designed to give organizations and individuals who are responsible for the care of historical records an introduction to the core aspects of managing and protecting historical records collections, using appropriate principles and best practices. 

The course consists of seven lessons:

  • Archives and Archivists
  • Acquiring Your Collections
  • Processing Collections
  • Housing Your Collections
  • Access and Outreach
  • Digital Records
  • Digitization

Details

SESSION DATES: AUG 28- OCT. 1, 2023

Course Logistics

COST: $105 AASLH Members / $205 Nonmembers / 10% discount for STEPS

FORMAT: Online, self-paced course with instructor feedback

LENGTH: 5 weeks

PARTICIPATION: Students should expect to spend approximately 5-7 hours per week on readings, text-based forum discussions, and quizzes. Readings and quizzes can be completed at anytime during the 5-week period. There is no required time to be online. 

MATERIALS: There are no required textbooks for this course. All reading materials will be provided.  

TECHNOLOGY: Participants will need access to internet and a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet to participate in this course. 

CREDIT: Successful completion of this course (70% or higher) will earn a Certificate of Completion from AASLH.

Who Should Take This Course

This course is a beginning level course designed for professional staff and volunteers of historical organizations and libraries with historical collections who have little to no experience with archival materials.

How to Register

Click here for instructions on how to register yourself or another user for this event. 

Participant Feedback

“This course was exactly what we need to improve our rather small Collection and take it to another step. Thanks for all of the ideas and information. I am especially impressed with how well the course is organized and presented online. The site was very well thought out and presented no problems for me – a slightly challenged computer geek-wanna be.”

“This was a marvelous course and now I have confidence that I can do the work: material to reference and people to communicate with as needed.”

“I just wanted to say thank you for having this course.  It has really helped me decide what direction I want to make my education in and had definitely helped me with some of the smaller preservation jobs I take on at the library.”

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Welcome to the Course
Course Guide
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Updated 1/10/2022
You must register to access.
Course Messaging Instructions
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource. Instructions on how to set up your privacy and messaging settings for the course.
You must register to access.
Glossary of Archival Terms
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Introduce Yourself
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. We encourage you to introduce yourself and get to know your fellow colleagues here.
You must register to access.
Topic 1: Archives and Archivists
Topic 1 Lessons: Archives and Archivists
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 1 Forum: Archives and Archivists
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. Topic Forums are an opportunity to discuss the material. If you have any questions about this topic's material please ask them here.
You must register to access.
Topic 1 Quiz: Archives and Archivists (DUE OCTOBER 1)
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/100 points to pass
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/100 points to pass You must earn 70 points (70%) to pass the quiz. You may take the quiz as many times as needed to earn a passing grade.
You must register to access.
Topic 1: Archives and Archivists - Additional Resources
Additional Resources - Combined
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 2: Acquiring Your Collections
Topic 2 Lessons: Acquiring Your Collections
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 2 Forum: Acquiring Your Collections
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. Topic Forums are an opportunity to discuss the material. If you have any questions about this topic's material please ask them here.
You must register to access.
Topic 2 Quiz: Acquiring Your Collections (DUE OCTOBER 1)
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/100 points to pass
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/100 points to pass You must earn 70 points (70%) to pass the quiz. You may take the quiz as many times as needed to earn a passing grade.
You must register to access.
Topic 2: Acquiring Your Collections - Resources and Worksheets
The ABC Department of Archives Collection Policy
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
ABC Department of Archives - Answers
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 2 Resource Assessment (Assess Your Resources)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Collection Policy Worksheet
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
The New York University Archives Collections Policy
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
The Mills Archive Policies and Procedures
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Nova Scotia Acquisition Policy
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Appraisal Scorecard
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sample Deposit Agreement
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Blank Deposit Agreement
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sample Deed of Gift Agreement
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Blank Deed of Gift (Simple)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sample Accession Form
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sample Deaccessioning Form
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Record of Transfer Form
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 3: Processing Collections
Topic 3 Lessons: Processing Collections
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 3 Forum: Processing Collections
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. Topic Forums are an opportunity to discuss the material. If you have any questions about this topic's material please ask them here.
You must register to access.
Topic 3 Quiz: Processing Collections (DUE OCTOBER 1)
15 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/105 points to pass
15 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/105 points to pass You must earn 70 points (70%) to pass the quiz. You may take the quiz as many times as needed to earn a passing grade.
You must register to access.
Topic 3: Processing Collections - Resources and Worksheets
Pre-Process Checklist (PDF)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Pre-Process Checklist (DOC)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
MSS 60 Nye Collection
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
MSS 417 Zelizer Finding Aid
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Finding Aid Example: Anita Pollitzer Family Papers 1845-1979
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Finding Aid Example: Guide to the Atomic Scientists of Chicago Records 1943-1955
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Finding Aid Example: Guide to the Atomic Scientists of Chicago Records 1943-1955
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Finding Aid Example: Laura Riding Jackson Papers
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Finding Aid Example: Selected Papers of Neilson Abeel
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Finding Aid Example: William M'Kendree Papers
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Finding Aid Example: Pearl R. Nye Collection
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Finding Aid Worksheet
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sailing Association Finding Aid
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
PastPerfect Archives Manual
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Lisa Smith - Preservation Decisions
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Lisa Smith Finding Aid
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Additional Resources: Processing
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Additional Resources: Preservation
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Partial List of Archival Suppliers
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 4: Housing Your Collections
Topic 4 Lessons: Housing Your Collections
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 4 Forum: Housing Your Collections
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. Topic Forums are an opportunity to discuss the material. If you have any questions about this topic's material please ask them here.
You must register to access.
Topic 4 Quiz: Housing Your Collections (DUE OCTOBER 1)
15 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/105 points to pass
15 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/105 points to pass You must earn 70 points (70%) to pass the quiz. You may take the quiz as many times as needed to earn a passing grade.
You must register to access.
Topic 4: Housing Your Collections - Resources and Worksheets
Your Buildings Bio
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Good, Better, Best Storage Chart
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Facility Assessment Questionnaire
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Risk List
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Disaster Plan Template (PDF)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Disaster Plan Template (DOC)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 5: Access and Outreach
Topic 5 Lessons: Access and Outreach
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 5 Forum: Access and Outreach
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. Topic Forums are an opportunity to discuss the material. If you have any questions about this topic's material please ask them here.
You must register to access.
Topic 5 Quiz: Access and Outreach (DUE OCTOBER 1)
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/100 points to pass
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/100 points to pass You must earn 70 points (70%) to pass the quiz. You may take the quiz as many times as needed to earn a passing grade.
You must register to access.
Topic 5: Access and Outreach - Resources and Worksheets
Sample Reference Policy
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sample Researcher Registration Log (PDF)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sample Researcher Registration Log (DOC)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sample Researcher Registration Form (PDF)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sample Researcher Registration Form (DOC)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Reference Policy Template (PDF)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Reference Policy Template (DOC)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Press Release Template (PDF)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Press Release Template (DOC)
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Exhibit Cases
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Sample Loan of Documents for Exhibition
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Southern Museum to House Extensive Southern Railway Archives
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Agreement - SRHA and SMCWJH
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 6: Digital Records
Topic 6 Lessons: Digital Records
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 6 Forum: Digital Records
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. Topic Forums are an opportunity to discuss the material. If you have any questions about this topic's material please ask them here.
You must register to access.
Topic 6 Quiz: Digital Records (DUE OCTOBER 1)
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/100 points to pass
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/100 points to pass You must earn 70 points (70%) to pass the quiz. You may take the quiz as many times as needed to earn a passing grade.
You must register to access.
Topic 7: Digitization
Topic 7 Lessons: Digitization
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Topic 7 Forum: Digitization
Open discussion to continue.
Open discussion to continue. Topic Forums are an opportunity to discuss the material. If you have any questions about this topic's material please ask them here.
You must register to access.
Topic 7 Quiz: Digitization (DUE OCTOBER 1)
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/100 points to pass
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  70/100 points to pass You must earn 70 points (70%) to pass the quiz. You may take the quiz as many times as needed to earn a passing grade.
You must register to access.
Optional Materials
Archival Suppliers
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Archiving email
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Fundraising and Grant Writing
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Records Management
Open to download resource.
Open to download resource.
You must register to access.
Course Survey and Certificate of Completion
Course Survey
13 Questions
13 Questions Please note the survey must be completed and a passing grade must be achieved before the Certificate of Completion is available.
You must register to access.
Certificate of Completion
0 credits  |  Certificate available
0 credits  |  Certificate available Successful completion of this course (70% or higher) will earn one Certificate of Completion.
You must register to access.

If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.

Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.

Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.