On August 5 and 6, join Makala Skinner to learn more about the A*CENSUS survey, which is a large scale census of archivists. The details for each session are below:

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT on Thursday, August 5
Conversation Lounge: Research and Innovation @ SAA: A*CENSUS II

SAA has received funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to conduct a major research initiative: the second large-scale census of archivists. A lot has changed in the profession since the first census was completed in 2004–so we’re excited to get started! The original survey–A*CENSUS–focused on the archivist workforce. A*CENSUS II, drafted in partnership with Ithaka S+R, will comprise two separate surveys:

The first, to be fielded in October 2021, will survey every self-identified archivist and archives worker in the US to gather information about their demographics, education background and needs, job placement and status, and salaries. We’ll also ask for their perspectives on key issues in the field. We’ll be able to compare some data across time, but also establish a new baseline.

The second survey (which we’ve not done before) will be sent to the leaders of archival organizations and institutions to gather data about institutional characteristics, resources, strategic directions, and–importantly–diversity, equity, inclusion, and access issues. The institution survey will be fielded separately in early 2022.

Results of both surveys will be shared widely with the profession and published in SAA’s journal. The survey data will be available, too, for those who would like to analyze the data in future research.

Facilitators: Join A*CENSUS II Working Group Chair Elizabeth Myers (Director of Archives and Special Collections, Smith College) and Ithaka S+R Senior Surveys Analyst Makala Skinner to learn more about the surveys and discuss how you can get involved in ensuring the broadest possible participation.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT on Friday, August 6
Open Forum

The conversation about A*CENSUS II continues at this open forum.