On the subject of the ballot, I'd like to throw my hat into the ring
- as a newly qualified archivist and, as such, a "guinea pig" for the
SoA's new training scheme.
Looking at the ballot paper, it says there are 3 "conditions" of
archivist - those qualifying after 1996 will be entitled to join the
training scheme, whilst those qualifying before will be exempt. This
exemption also comes into play for those who have 10 years' (? I
think I've got this right...) professional experience, without the
qualifications.
If this is the case, then why have the pre-registration training at
all? Why not just set the standard for becoming a registered member
at, say, 10 years? After this length of professional experience,
an individual will be well-versed in all the practicalities of
running an archive. The final examination process can still stand,
for cases where an archivist's professional capacity may be in
doubt, and archivists could also "appeal" to become registered
members before this period elapses, provided they could show the necessary
professional development and training.
This system does seem a lot easier to grasp - unless I'm missing
something. I'd very much like to hear the views of others on the
subject, before I myself sign up for the scheme.
David Bishop
Assistant Archivist
Modern Records Centre, University Library
University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
tel. (01203) 524493
fax. 01203 524211
email [log in to unmask]
URL http://www.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/mrc.html
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