| This study explores the development of the archival profession during the 1980s, a period that experienced rapid change and the adoption of descriptive standards. Specifically, the study seeks to examine leadership roles played by individuals acting independently, and on behalf of their employing institutions and professional associations. Description represents a fundamental archival function. It constitutes the way in which archivists connect resources and researchers and occurs in all repositories, regardless of size or sponsorship. Changes in descriptive standards dramatically affect the work of archivists in every institutional setting.; The analysis in this study focuses on three different units of social organization: the profession as a whole, the series of groups that undertook descriptive standards work, and the individuals who carried out these activities. The research design combines a case study that focuses on the organizations and institutions that engaged in descriptive standards development with a sociological analysis that concentrates on the individuals and examines patterns of relationships. The data comes from primary and secondary source records and semi-structured interviews with key individuals. In many respects, descriptive standards development and implementation constituted an innovation that dramatically changed the profile of archival work and followed the diffusion of innovation model described by Everett Rogers. Activity fell into three chronological periods in which the profession examined and redefined practices, codified knowledge, and developed a standards process. Individuals emerged as a major driving force, and key leaders formed a community of practice that interacted on levels beyond the mechanics of standards development and implementation. Certain factors were more important in establishing influence. Those who became involved in the early stages tended to remain involved and were viewed by their peers as more influential. Demographic and institutional affiliations were also significant; the leadership cohort consisted of individuals who entered the profession in the 1970s and were affiliated with Research Libraries Group member institutions. |
