Managing the Past and the Future
Evolving Professional Roles of Archivists in Contemporary Sweden
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7146/njlis.v5i1.146726Keywords:
archives, archvists, archival professionals, digitalisation, employment, SwedenAbstract
This paper focuses on contemporary archival professionals in Sweden. The research questions posed are: RQ1: What are the different facets of archival work commonly described in employment advertisements directed at archival professionals? RQ2: What are the desirable personal traits that employers seek when hiring an archival professional? The material consists of job advertisements from the year 2022 compiled from Historical ads. The methods applied are content analysis and reflexive thematic analysis, and we use the term archival professionals to denote employees that are responsible for society's information resources being created, shared, used and preserved in an adequate way. A well-functioning information supply is crucial for information security, transparency and public access to information, and for securing future digital cultural heritage. Archival professionals have often been described as somewhat mysterious and obscured. Due to digitalisation, new demands are being created. However, it is not self-evident what different facets of archival work are required and what personal characteristics are beneficial. Our conclusion is that there is a broad scope in the types of archival work described and wished by employers. The roles and responsibilities of archival professionals, as depicted in employment advertisements, are diverse and multifaceted. They are expected to develop, lead, and educate within their area of expertise. Personality wise, an archival professional should be meticulous and at the same time flexible, be prepared to do monotonous work but also be creative, be able to work alone and at the same time meet the public.
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