Archives

Finding, evaluating and reusing archival and primary sources in museum work.

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Researcher annotating a printed finding aid beside archive boxes in a reading room. Illustrative image, generated with AI.

ARArchives21/09/2026

Reading a finding aid before visiting an archive

Learn how to read a finding aid for collection scope, arrangement, and access limits before you travel to a reading room.

Curator comparing a handwritten letter with a typed transcript under a desk lamp in a study room. Illustrative image, generated with AI.

ARArchives21/09/2026

Evaluating a primary source for exhibition use

Curators must judge reliability and display suitability of primary sources. This guide offers key questions and a decision checklist.

Interviewer and narrator reviewing a signed consent form and a recorder on a table in a quiet room. Illustrative image, generated with AI.

ARArchives21/09/2026

Consent and context in oral history use

Before publishing oral history excerpts, settle consent, context, and editing questions. Practical guidance for museum and archive professionals.

Editor checking a rights clearance file and caption sheet against a scanned archival photograph on screen. Illustrative image, generated with AI.

ARArchives21/09/2026

Clearing rights and citing archival material

A practical guide for museum professionals on recording rights status and citing archival material in publications, using standardized statements from RightsStatements.org.