Archives and Records Association, Ireland
| Founded | 1 June 2010 |
|---|---|
| Type | Professional Organization |
| Focus | Archivists and Record Keepers |
| Origins | Merger of the National Council on Archives, Association of Chief Archivists in Local Government and the Society of Archivists |
Area served | Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland |
| Method | Accreditation, Industry standards, Conferences, Publications |
Members | 170 (2011) |
| Website | ARA Ireland |
The Archives and Records Association, Ireland (ARA, Ireland) is the principal professional body for archivists, archive conservators and records managers in Ireland. It was established in Ireland thirty years ago. The Archives and Records Association (ARA, UK & Ireland) came into existence on 1 June 2010 and is the result of a merger of the National Council on Archives and the Association of Chief Archivists in Local Government with the Society of Archivists.[1]
The principal aims of the ARA are: to promote the care and preservation of archives and the better administration of archive repositories; to advance the training of its members; and to encourage relevant research and publication. It achieves these aims through the work of its Council and its various Committees, Groups and Regions, and through its role as the voice of the three professions. The Association advises, submits evidence and makes comment on matters of professional concern to people or organisations whose activities affect archives and records.
The Archives & Records Association is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all within the world of archives, records management and archive conservation, regardless of race, colour, religious beliefs or practices, ethnic or national origin, disabilities, gender, sexuality, marital status and age. In particular, the ARA is committed to encouraging equal access to education and training, employment and advancement within the profession.[2]
Membership
ARA, Ireland has over 170 members, mainly made up of professional archivists, records managers and archive conservators from all the different types of organisations that employ such professionals. Through an affiliate membership scheme, those who work at a paraprofessional level or who are generally interested in the work of the Association and its members can join. There is also a student membership option for those who are studying for a professional qualification in archives, records management or archive conservation.
Structure
The ARA, Ireland is one of eleven regions that span the whole of the UK and Ireland, with our own regional committee. Seven special interest groups also exist within the organisation’s structure, representing members’ different employment backgrounds and/or concerns.
Publications & Outreach
ARA, Ireland produces a newsletter three times a year which is now published electronically. The learnaboutarchives website is hosted and maintained by the ARA, Ireland in order to provide a practical and interesting online information service for the general public (but more especially educators and their students) on archival material and archive services in Ireland.[3] It also has maintains a Twitter and flickr account.
The ARA, UK & Ireland produces a biannual publication entitled the Journal of the Society of Archivists, which covers professional issues for its members as well as a monthly newsletter, called ARC (Archives, records Management, Conservation).
Careers
In terms of a career in archives, records management or conservation, the Association accredits externally provided postgraduate programmes, of which there is only one in Ireland, the Masters in Archives and Records Management at University College Dublin. The ARA website does have information on careers in archives, records management and conservation and links to postgraduate courses. It has a leaflet explaining the profession, updated last in 2006. In terms of the number of carer openings or opportunities for advancement the profession is underdeveloped in Ireland with a very limited number of open positions.[4]
Training
The Archives and Records Association, Ireland conducts a wide range of training events throughout the year for its members. Past events includes Business Continuity and Disaster Planning, Disaster Management, Education & Outreach Workshop, Digital Preservation Roadshow and the Irish Archive Resource Training Day.
For Archive Conservation, the Association runs a Certificate in Archive Conservation as an in-service scheme restricted to Association members only. It is also involved in the Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers (PAC-R) scheme. All professional members are encouraged to participate in the Association's Registration Scheme, which acts as a formal process of continued professional development. Those who complete the registration scheme are entitled to use the post-nominals RMARA (Registered Member Archives and Records Association).
References
- ↑ "The Archives and Records Association | Home". Archives.org.uk. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
- ↑ "The Archives and Records Association | Home". Archives.org.uk. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
- ↑ "Learn About Archives In Ireland". Learnaboutarchives.ie. Retrieved 2011-12-22.
- ↑ http://www.archives.org.uk/?view=article&id=133&ZItemid=161