Who are the “movers and shakers” in archives?

The library blogosphere has been all abuzz about the 50 people declared this year’s “Movers and Shakers” by Library Journal. (I’m having trouble with the link to the LJ site, so you might find it easier to look at this version on a library blogger’s site or this one.) Archivists are eligible for nomination, and this year’s class of M&S’s includes one archivist: Mark Greek, a photo archivist at D. C. Public Library’s Washingtoniana Division. Mark was recognized primarily for his part in the emergency response efforts after the disastrous fire at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library, including the collections of the Peabody Room. Congratulations, Mark!

This is difficult because, of course, I think that what Mark did was fantastic and I’m happy to see him get this kind of public recognition. (This is based purely on the information in the Library Journal article–I don’t know him.) But at the same time I can’t help but observe that, in my opinion, this doesn’t really represent the kinds of innovation or creativity that must be out there in our profession. (The LJ awards recognized “up-and-coming individuals from across the United States and Canada who are innovative, creative, and making a difference.”)

They found fifty people to name as “movers and shakers” in the library world. I think we’d be hard pressed to find that many in our much smaller profession. How about five? Ten? Is it time for this blog to give out some more awards? I think it is.

Start making your lists now and look for a call for nominations soon for the first annual Movers and Shakers in Archives Awards!

5 Comments

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  By Connie Crosby, March 20, 2008 @ 3:57 am

  Kate: Your own awards is a great idea! Anything we can do to encourage one another, to lift each other up, is something worth pursuing.

  Cheers,
  Connie Crosby

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  By Anonywho, March 20, 2008 @ 7:13 pm

  I recall some folks really going all on the dance floor at conferences. Is that what you’re looking for?

• 

  By ArchivesNext, March 21, 2008 @ 7:37 am

  Very funny, anon. I actually did think about making it clear that we’re not talking about YouTube videos of archivists dancing–which is a terrifying thought, isn’t it?

• 

  By t, March 21, 2008 @ 12:44 pm

  Here’s me!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDE6uKPOzN8

  Here’s what anonywho must have seen

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNPHYIbx908

Other Links to this Post

1. thesecretmirror.com » Blog Archive » Movin’ and shakin’ in the archives world — March 21, 2008 @ 9:44 am

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