Archive Searching for Research

Approaches and Dimensions of Archival Research

There are several different definitions of the term archive, which are reflected in various approaches to archival research. First, archives can refer to any compilation of materials that are old or of historical interest. Therefore, one approach to archival research is the systematic investigation of old materials, including magazines, newspapers, speeches, letters, films, advertisements, political cartoons, playbills, and company records. Oftentimes, this type of research can be completed in a library, especially if the library has a (relatively) complete series of the materials (e.g., every issue of a particular publication). Second, archives can refer to an institution dedicated to preserving, administering, and housing a variety of historical materials. Notably, archives tend to have a specialized focus. For instance, there are archives on local history, labor organizing, science and technology, and religion, to name a few. Thus, another approach to archival research is any investigation of materials accessed at a formal archive. Third, archives can refer to one-of-a-kind collections of materials that are preserved because of their potential historical value and housed at a formal archive. Specially trained archivists organize the materials into numbered folders, sort the folders into boxes, and log and store the inventory of materials. A collection can range from just a few pages or photographs that fit into a single file folder to dozens, hundreds, or more boxes of materials. Therefore, another approach to archival research is the careful investigation of these one-of-a-kind collections of materials that perhaps very few people have seen or ever will see.

There are two interrelated dimensions of archives that are worth noting: rarity and restriction. As a general rule, the more rare archival material is, the more restricted access will become. On one end of the spectrum—in the approach of archives as old or historical materials—there are many old and historical materials that are not particularly rare. For example, popular magazines published thousands of copies of every issue; as such, even though there may be only a few places that own a complete series, other copies could be easily located elsewhere. When materials are not very rare, access to them is relatively unrestricted, such as when archival materials are stored on library shelves to be freely perused and copied by any library visitor.

On the other end of the spectrum—archives as one-of-a-kind collections—materials are extremely rare. In contrast to the multiple copies of publications, collections oftentimes contain the only existing copy of materials (e.g., personal correspondence, diaries, speech drafts, oral history interviews, photographs). Consequently, access to collections is restricted and highly monitored. Materials are stored away from the public eye in a locked area accessible only by archive staff. Also, archives are non-circulating, meaning that researchers cannot borrow items and all access must occur on-site. Finally, because access to collections is at the discretion of the archivist, researchers sometimes may be denied permission to see materials.

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