The Archival Census and Education Needs survey in the United States (A*CENSUS)

Abstract

Purpose

To discuss the purpose, methodology, and results of the recent Archival Census and Education Needs Survey in the United States (A*CENSUS)

Design/methodology/approach

Description of survey conception, purpose, methodology, and the implications of selected results.

Findings

The 2004 Archival Census and Education Needs Survey in the United States (A*CENSUS) was the first archival census in the USA since 1982. Funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services, it represents unprecedented cooperation and collaboration among over 50 archival organizations and educational institutes throughout the USA. Preliminary findings indicate that the educational preparation of archivists has changed drastically, the profession has feminized, and that archivists are aging, with insufficient numbers of younger archivists to replace them. In spite of these dramatic changes, the archival profession has failed to diversify racially and ethnically.

Practical implications

This early view of the A*CENSUS is intended to stimulate discussion and further analyses of these data. The methodology sets a precedent for inter‐organizational collaboration and will help archivists and allied professionals better understand the profession today as well as the prevailing trends.

Originality/value

This article presents an early report on the A*CENSUS results and discusses potential implications of use of the dataset.

Citation

Walch, V. and Yakel, E. (2006), "The Archival Census and Education Needs survey in the United States (A*CENSUS)", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 15-22. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650750610640757