From Polders to Postmodernism: A Concise History of Archival Theory

205 Pages·2009·1.165 MB·English

by  John Ridener

From Polders
to Postmodernism

From Polders
to Postmodernism

A Concise History
of Archival Theory

By John Ridener

Litwin Books, LLC
Duluth, Minnesota
Copyright 2008 John Ridener

Published in 2009

Litwin Books, LLC
PO Box 3320
Duluth MN 55803

http://litwinbooks.com/

ISBN 978-0-9802004-5-4

Printed on acid-free paper that meets current ANSI standards for
archival preservation.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Ridener, John.
From Polders to postmodernism : a concise history of archival theory /
by John Ridener.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary: "A history of the conception and development of the theories
that have guided archivists in their work from the late 19th through the
early 21st centuries"--Provided by publisher.
ISBN 978-0-9802004-5-4 (alk. paper)
1. Archives--Administration--History. 2. Archives--Administration. I.
Title.
CD947.R54 2009
027.001--dc22
2008042286
For JBP

&

(CPR)

Contents

Acknowledgments ix
Foreword by Terry Cook xi
1. Why Study Archival Theory? 1
2. Contexts 7
3. Consolidation: The Dutch Manual 21
4. Confirmation and Reinforcement: Sir 41
Hilary Jenkinson’s A Manual of Archive
Administration
5. Modern Records: T. R. Schellenberg and 69
Modern Archives
6. Questioning Archives: Contemporary 101
Records, Contemporary Discourses
7. From Polders to Postmodernism 143
References 163
Index 175
About the Author 185

Acknowledgments

No written work is the product of only the author’s ef-
forts. This book is no exception. Of course, all errors and
omissions in the text are my own.
The following individuals deserve much more than the
thanks given here:
Rory Litwin, of Litwin Books, who asked if I would be
interested in revising my thesis for publication and who has
been a steady guide through that process even when I
sought to push the boundaries of his effort.
Professors Debbie Hansen, Lori Lindberg, and Judy
Weedman all of the San Jose State School of Library and
Information Science, who agreed, possibly against their
better judgment, to be my thesis committee for a year and a
half when “no one” writes a thesis in library school. Your
patience, eagerness to teach, and willingness to explore new
ideas has been instrumental in the development of this
book.
Those who commented on the manuscript: Todd
Neece, whose constant intellectual curiosity and erudition
serve as an inspiration for us all; Cody Hennesy, whose
comments on both the manuscript and librarianship are
always insightful, intriguing, and correct; and Nicole
Hunter, who not only gave insightful commentary on this
manuscript, but also whose perspective helped transform
some of the darkest days of library school, “checking APA,”
and getting to and from San Jose into a great friendship.
Bo Elder, who worked tirelessly and selflessly to edit
and comment on the manuscript. Who also was eager and
willing to engage with the material beyond the concepts in
the book and who insightfully questioned my notions of
critical theory with unparalleled deft.
x POLDERS TO POSTMODERNISM
My parents, Beth and Gene Ridener, who have contin-
ued to unfailingly support my oftentimes-questionable
schemes regardless of how far fetched they may seem.
My wife, Jenica Babbitt-Pearce, who continues to be
more amazing each day we know one another; a loving
companion; when needed, a strong and thoughtful critic.
And who may also not hear, “I have to work on my book”
for at least a short while.