The Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies (JCAS) announces the publication of four new articles:
"Archival Notations of the Norwegian Charter Material," written by Juliane Tiemann.
Download the article: https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/jcas/vol12/iss1/14/
Abstract: This paper explores archival notations, primarily from the early modern and modern periods, found on the dorse of Norwegian charters dating from the 13th to the 17th century. By examining the notation practices of two prominent Norwegian archivists and collectors, the study further highlights individual efforts in documenting and preserving these materials across various collections. The archival efforts are contextualized historically, noting a transition to systematic archival management. The findings reveal the significance of this largely unexplored component of Norwegian charters as additional historical sources, emphasizing the role of dorsal annotations in provenance research. The textual and visual analysis of these notations enhances the information provided in existing inventory lists, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the charters' object history and usage. While earlier scholarship primarily focused on the linguistic and textual content, as well as historical contexts of the legal text on the recto, later textual additions made by subsequent owners enrich research on the evolving practices of document management.
"Student-Designed Archival Pedagogy: A Workshop-As-Research Approach to Pluralizing Community Archives Education," written by Magdalena Wiśniewska-Drewniak.
Download the article: https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/jcas/vol12/iss1/15/
Abstract: Community archives are becoming an increasingly important component of the heritage landscape, as well as an observable part of university archival education. This article is part of a research project titled "Teaching about Community Archives in the US and Poland--A Comparative Study" conducted by the author between March and May 2024. Using the student-centered learning approach, the article analyzes a workshop conducted with US-based students on the design of university courses on community archives. The designs included course audience, learning outcomes, course content, grading methods, and possible challenges. The article identifies four groups of learning outcomes (directions of community archives pedagogies) that could be implemented in university courses on community archives.
"Enhancing Archives and Records Management in Low-Resourced Organizations through Experiential Learning," written by Jinfang Niu.
Download the article: https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/jcas/vol12/iss1/16/
Abstract: Master's students in Archives and Records Management could help low-resourced organizations address their Archives and Records Management needs while gaining practical experience. Archives and Records Management education programs could facilitate this mutually beneficial relationship by offering internships and service-learning courses. This paper analyzes the strengths and limitations of these two experiential learning mechanisms and discusses solutions to overcome the limitations. It argues that service-learning is especially suitable for addressing the Archives and Records Management needs of low-resourced organizations and proposes a service-learning model for that purpose.
"Enrolled Deeds as Records and Archives in Jamaica," written by Andrew Williams.
Download the article: https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/jcas/vol12/iss1/17/
Abstract: This paper examines the history of the enrolled deeds record series in Jamaica, from its creation in the mid-seventeenth century through to the present day. It is a critical examination of a single record series through colonialism and independence. It examines the purpose of deeds and the context in which deeds registries were created before examining the history of the series through the periods of slavery and emancipation. It examines in close detail the late nineteenth century, when the Island Record Office-which has custody of the enrolled deeds-was created and several other important changes happened. It situates the enrolled deeds as archives of growing interest during the twentieth century as Jamaica's archival infrastructure grew. It looks at how historians have used the enrolled deeds, and how they have been treated since the 1990s, when major changes were introduced in the Island Record Office's parent agency, the Registrar General's Department. Finally, it looks towards the future and the changes on the horizon for the enrolled deeds series, emphasizing questions of preservation and access.
JCAS is a peer-reviewed, open access journal sponsored by the New England Archivists, Yale University Library, and Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
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Sally Blanchard-O'Brien
Marketing & Outreach Associate
Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies
email.jcas@gmail.com
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