I'm not convinced that the introduction of designatory letters will do
anything to enhance our professional status, (nor am I convinced that
they have done any good for librarians). The only way these things work
is if a professional body can secure a momopoly of employment for those
with the right letters, like doctors. I think that the chances of doing
this are very slim.
It seems to me that our best way forward is to show that we can do jobs
that others can't. In this context, I was thoroughly alarmed at Sarah's
distinction between academic (implicitly bad) and professional (implicitly
good). Actually, I do see myself as an academic, but as a professional
too (as do other academics in other fields). I believe that if archivists
are ever to achieve the professional status we deserve, we have to make it
clear that our academic skills are of the highest order. Of course, we
then have to apply these skills in a professional way, but the academic
side comes first and underpins everything we do. If we are not academic,
we cannot do our job properly.
Chris
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Christopher Webb, Archivist
Borthwick Institute of Historical Research
University of York
St Anthony's Hall
Peasholme Green
York YO1 2PW
UK
Tel: 01904-642315 e-mail [log in to unmask]
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