About
Web 2.0 technologies have changed the way that people interact on the Internet. These changes have begun to impact archivists and the way that they deliver their services and information to their user base. The idea for The Interactive Archivist developed out of discussions that we had while leading a project to redesign the delivery of finding aids at Brigham Young University. We were surprised during user studies to discover how strongly our users desired to interact with the content that we provide them about our collections. These observations were confirmed at the Society of American Archivists’ 2008 annual conference in San Francisco. In discussions with the editorial staff at the Society of American Archivists we realized that there was space in the existing literature for a publication of case studies highlighting how archivists were beginning to utilize Web 2.0 technologies to improve their services. We also recognized that Web 2.0 technologies were continuing to evolve and made the decision that the publication should be electronic so that additional case studies could be added as they became available.
About the Editors
J. Gordon Daines III
J. Gordon Daines III is the Archivist and Assistant Department Chair, Manuscripts in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections at Brigham Young University. Since joining the library faculty in 2001, he has taken the lead in developing numerous projects aimed at better serving patrons. These include initiatives aimed at improving archival workflows and integrating Web 2.0 technologies into existing services.
Gordon is an active member of the archival profession. A member of the Society of American Archivists since 2001, he served on the Committee on Education (2002—2005) and as a member of the steering committee for the College & University Archives section (2005—2008). He was a member of the A*CENSUS working group (2003—2005) and served as a member of the committee in charge of revising Guidelines for College & University Archivists for the College and University Archives section (2004—2005). He served as president (2003—2006) and as a council member of the Conference of Inter-Mountain Archivists (2001—2003). He also served as on-site coordinator (2001) for the Western Archives Institute when it was held in Utah.
Gordon holds an undergraduate degree in history from Brigham Young University, a master’s degree in history from the University of Chicago, and a certificate in archives and records management from Western Washington University. He has worked for the Oregon Historical Society and the Utah State Archives and Records Service.
Cory L. Nimer
Cory L. Nimer is the Manuscripts Cataloger and Metadata Specialist for the L. Tom Perry Special Collections at Brigham Young University. He earned a master’s degree in history at Sonoma State University and a master’s in library and information science at San José State University. At the Perry Special Collections he is responsible for EAD review and MARC cataloging as well as metadata development for associated digital projects. He has been involved in initiatives within the repository to explore the application of technology to archival practice, especially through the use of Web 2.0 tools and the integration of BPM software.
About Contributing
We hope that, as an electronic publication, The Interactive Archivist will continue to develop and expand over time. If you are engaged in an archives-related Web 2.0 project, either in your repository or personally, and would like to share your experiences through a case study, please send an introductory e-mail to the editors with a proposal for your case study. They can be contacted at gordon_daines@byu.edu or cory_nimer@byu.edu.
We also would encourage institutions and individuals to add their Web 2.0 projects to our list, available at Delicious.com. To add your project to the list, send us a bookmark by using the tag for:interactivearchivist.
If you would like to participate in the development of the bibliography of the use of Web 2.0 technologies by cultural institutions, please contact the editors as well.