Archivar/Archivarin

Media related to this profession include ABI Technik, Archivar/in, Archivar. Zeitschrift für Archivwesen, Archiv und Wirtschaft, Augias.Net - Das Nachrichtenportal des Archivwesens, and info7 - MEDIEN | ARCHIVE | INFORMATION.

In the future, automatic learning systems and neural networks will identify text fragments on clay tablets in the field of Ancient Near Eastern Philology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). With the help of corresponding databases, they will compare text sequences and find fragments that belong together, forming a continuous text. Partially undeciphered ancient literature could thus be reconstructed and further researched. Researchers will engage with this new method.

The following interests are important and helpful for success in this field of study. The interests are listed in order of their importance, with illustrative activities for each area of interest. Interest in administrative-organizational activities, for example, content-related and formal description of acquired documents such as files, deeds, volumes, photos, audio material, maps, and plans; inventorying newly acquired archivally valuable documents; careful documentation of survey results within the framework of 'Oral History' projects. Interest in theoretical-abstract activities, for example, analyzing old written works to examine and determine conservation and preservation possibilities.

Archivists primarily work in the rooms of archives, magazines, and depots, in office and meeting rooms, and in reading rooms. In addition, they may also work in changing locations, for example, for research purposes at private individuals' homes or in the rooms of companies, institutions, or authorities, in a home office, or mobile.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during Studium (university studies) include: Collection Development (Archive, Library), Collection Survey (Archive, Library), Collection Selection (Archive, Library), Collection Care (Archive, Library), History, Cataloging, Collection Indexing (Archive, Library, Museum), Conservation (historical objects), Source Material Evaluation (History), Systematization. Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include: Audio-Mining-Systems, Organizing and Conducting Exhibitions, Image Archiving, Educational Work, Digital Long-Term Archiving, Digital Collection Management, Documentation (Archive, Library), Creating Professional Publications, Customer Consulting, -Support, Teaching (University), Microfilming, Public Relations, Paleography (Manuscript Studies), Research, Information Procurement, Signing, Sphragistics (Seal Studies). Other relevant skills and knowledge: Competence group 'Databases, Data Management Systems'.

The advancing digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. Archivists may have the opportunity to deal with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: Audio-Mining-Systems (e.g., using algorithms for keyword tagging of audio documents), Library Management Systems - BMS (e.g., advising on the use of BMS in archives), Image Recognition (e.g., using image recognition systems for cataloging image documents; identifying objects in historical image documents), Digital Cultural Mediation (e.g., conceiving archive exhibitions and planning the inclusion of VR apps and mediation via different media), Digital Collection Management (e.g., digitally mapping and making archive holdings available), Document Management Systems - DMS (e.g., digitally capturing, organizing, and managing written material; advising authorities on digital written material management), AI-supported Knowledge Management (e.g., information...

Archivists plan, organize, and supervise processes in archives or archival departments. This requires organizational talent, an independent, and meticulous working style. They conscientiously adhere to archival legal regulations, laws, ordinances, and administrative instructions that, for example, regulate how long official documents must be stored or which archival materials may be made accessible to the public. Foreign language skills (e.g., Latin) are beneficial when reading old documents and writings. They address the concerns of clients, such as local historians, authorities, or institutions, and provide advice. When interviewing contemporary witnesses for special projects, for example, they proceed empathetically to gather as many details as possible. They demonstrate teamwork in collaboration with colleagues or archive management. If they lead a team as a project manager, organizational skills are also part of their duties.

Archivists can become self-employed, for example, by establishing their own office for information and documentation services.

Example gross basic tariff remuneration in the public service sector (monthly): €4,489 to €6,765. Example gross basic tariff remuneration in the commercial sector (monthly): €4,333 to €5,257. These figures are for orientation purposes only and no claims can be derived from them. Please check BERUFENET for more information.

They can work in archives, libraries, documentation; for example, city and government archives, corporate and business archives, state archives, and documentation centers. In art, culture, museums; for example, museum archives. In historical sites and monuments; for example, archives of open-air museums. In religious communities; for example, church archives. In radio, television, and other media distribution; for example, media archives, archives of television broadcasters. In journalism; for example, news agencies, media archives. In publishing houses; for example, publishing of magazines, publishing of books, publishing of newspapers, in-house publishing archives. In universities, universities of applied sciences, vocational and technical academies; for example, scientific archives.

A completed undergraduate (grundständig Studium) degree in archival science is required. Access opportunities are sometimes available for graduates in library and information science. Leadership positions or specialized tasks usually require a master's (Masterstudium) degree. Activities in science and research often require a doctorate (Promotion) or habilitation (Habilitation).

Archival science (undergraduate), Archival science (postgraduate)

Archivists find employment in archives and libraries, in museums, with religious associations, with media companies, and at universities and research institutes.

Archivist. Deviating job title from former GDR: Diplom-Archivar/Diplom Archivarin-(Uni). Job titles in English: Archivist (m/f), Records manager (m/f). Job title in French: Archiviste (m/f).

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are equally relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. In addition, the following profession-specific characteristics are required to practice this academic profession: willingness to perform and commitment (e.g., willingness to actively and energetically undertake the viewing and evaluation of large quantities of archival material), conscientiousness (e.g., precise recording, description, and organization of archival material; careful handling of valuable archival collections), independent working methods (e.g., independent preparation and execution of archival exhibitions).

Archivists record, organize, index, preserve, and evaluate archival material.

Archivschule Marburg, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Biblio Jobs, Deutscher Museumsbund, Interamt.de, KULTweet - The Job Market for Humanities, Cultural, and Social Scientists, Portal Kunstgeschichte, service.bund.de, Stellenblatt.de, Verband Deutscher Kunsthistoriker e.V.

Berufsverband Information Bibliothek e.V. (BIB), Das Bundesarchiv - Dienststelle Koblenz, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz (GStA PK), VdA - Verband deutscher Archivarinnen und Archivare e.V., ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft.

Archivists may assume responsibility for individuals, for example, as heads of smaller archives. They are also responsible for material assets, such as ensuring the proper storage and use of valuable archival materials. Adherence to various regulations and legal requirements, such as archival law provisions, laws, ordinances, and administrative instructions, is important. They engage in customer contact with archive users, local historians, authorities, and contemporary witnesses. They perform screen work, for example, using specialized software for creating archival finding aids and for research. They work in archive, storage, and registry rooms, reading rooms, and offices. Additionally, they may conduct educational activities, such as giving lectures to groups in lecture halls or seminar rooms.

Professional deployment opportunities are categorized by fields of activity: information acquisition, indexing, and processing (as an Information Broker); teaching at universities (as a Lecturer at universities and academies); study program coordination; scientific research (as a Research Assistant, Head of a Research Group, or Scientific Employee).

Work objects and tools include collection items such as files, documents, collections of laws, ordinances or official gazettes, official publications from state parliaments, the Bundestag or Bundesrat, correspondence, manuscripts, plans, films, photographs, CDs, DVDs, audio materials, newspaper clippings, brochures, and online information. Software used includes archival software and database management systems. Office equipment such as PCs, internet access, telephones, and projectors are available. Devices and accessories include microfiche and film readers, climate control devices, acid-free cartons, and acid-free tissue papers for the proper storage of archival materials. Research and work documents such as textbooks, professional journals, archival finding aids, regulations and guides, legal ordinances and administrative instructions, data protection regulations, teaching materials, and curricula are also used.

Archivists collect, index, and preserve written, audiovisual, and electronic materials. They assess which archival materials will be acquired, described, and prepared in a user-friendly manner, and which will be discarded. They also handle inquiries from archive users and ensure the proper storage, preservation, and supplementation of collections. In historical education, they may publish articles or design exhibitions. At universities, they teach and undertake scientific activities, often after completing a master's degree (Masterstudium) and a doctorate (Promotion).

Continuing education for adaptation helps to keep professional knowledge current and to adjust to new developments (e.g., in the fields of archival science, information, and knowledge management).

Bachelor graduates can expand their professional and career opportunities through further studies (Studium), for example, in archival science or library and information science. A doctorate (Promotion) is generally required for a scientific career at a university; to be appointed as a university professor, a habilitation (Habilitation) is usually needed. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, in research, and in public administration.

Archivists assess new archival materials—written documents, maps, images, film, audio materials, or electronic data—for their archival worthiness. They identify characteristics of historical documents, such as dating, issuer, content, catalog designation (sigel), and origin. They acquire archival documents and sort out/destroy unsuitable information carriers (known as 'Kassation'). They advise record creators in the pre-archival stage. They organize, register, and properly store archival collections, possibly in climate-controlled rooms. They guide and lead staff. They advise authorities on document management. They initiate and supervise security and backup filming of archival material, and if necessary, transfer digital data to newer storage media. They conserve and restore archival material or arrange for such work. They build and maintain collections. They research and collect material on regional history, for example, documents on city history in municipal archives. They conduct interviews with contemporary witnesses.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of archivist: In the field of information acquisition, indexing, and processing: Information Scientist, Museologist. Commonalities: Researching, collecting, and processing information; applying subject-specific data processing systems and software in information and documentation services. In the field of editing, journalism, and proofreading: Journalist, Editor, Online Editor, Proofreader in publishing houses, Book Scientist. Commonalities: Researching, indexing, and processing information; systematizing and documenting information and data. Note: The mentioned job alternatives may require a longer training period or additional qualification.

Archivists evaluate, record, organize, index, preserve, make accessible, and analyze archival material. Local historians, academics, or private individuals search for political, legal, or economic data in state, municipal, ecclesiastical, or private archives; employees in authorities or companies are interested in archived business processes. Most of these inquiries are handled by archivists. In larger archives, archivists concentrate on individual areas such as archival collection maintenance, archival library or technology, user support, contemporary historical documentation, historical educational work, public relations, or administration. For example, in administration, they monitor the workflows and results of archive departments, or in public relations, they organize exhibitions.

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this Studium (university degree) profession. Abilities: Verbal (linguistic) thinking (e.g., content-related and formal analysis and description of acquired documents such as files, deeds, volumes, photos, audio material, maps, and plans). Memory (e.g., memory for archival holdings). Ability to plan and organize (e.g., planning, organizing, and supervising processes in archives or archival departments). Knowledge and Skills: Text comprehension (e.g., reading, evaluating, and inventorying newly acquired archival documents). Written expression and spelling accuracy (e.g., writing historical or specialized scientific publications or texts for exhibitions).

The exercise of this profession may involve the following physical requirements. This information may not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Near vision - even corrected (e.g., researching on the computer and creating archive finding aids). Hearing and speech comprehension (e.g., understanding inquiries from archive users). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood in the sense of a medical fitness assessment. Actual physical fitness or unfitness must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers can consider specialists in these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only comprise partial activities of the original profession, while others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of archivist: Job and staffing alternatives for partial activities and professional deployment opportunities (with/without induction): Information broker. In related professions: Librarian, Documentalist. At a lower qualification level: Specialist in Information Services (Fachwirt für Informationsdienste).

Working as an archivist does not require the recognition of foreign qualifications. However, it is possible to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees through the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB), which can be helpful for job applications in Germany. Further information on living and working in Germany is available through the 'Hotline Arbeiten und Leben in Deutschland' provided by the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF) and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA), as well as other information portals.

Certain health limitations could lead to problems when performing this profession. Examples include uncorrectable visual impairment for close proximity (e.g., researching on a computer or creating archive inventories) and hearing impairment (e.g., understanding inquiries from archive users). However, there are increasing possibilities to compensate for limitations, for instance, through technical aids. This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood as a medical suitability assessment. Actual physical suitability or unsuitability must always be determined on a case-by-case basis, considering possible reasonable accommodations.

From an employer's perspective, there are other alternatives for the archivist profession. These include activities in the field of information acquisition, indexing, and preparation, as well as professions like museologist (Museologe/Museologin) or information scientist (Informationswissenschaftler/Informationswissenschaftlerin). Common aspects of these professions involve researching, collecting, and preparing information, and applying subject-specific data processing systems and software in information and documentation services. The mentioned alternatives may require an induction period, which can vary in length depending on the individual case.