mac2019detroit

Information technology within the archival landscape is constantly evolving, and for many has become an integral part of the everyday workload. Collaborating with information technology experts can mean a whole host of options.  This session will explore different collaborative projects involving information technology and/or IT professionals, revealing a range of possible collaborations, challenges, and solutions.
Organization-wide projects to develop and implement systems, solutions learned to navigate a wide variety of IT structures within a single organization, and individual collaborations with fellow librarians and archivists will be discussed. Challenges include the use of proprietary vs. open-source systems; roadblocks faced when information technology goals hamper archivists’ views of progress; and restrictive computer permissions forcing a reliance on internal IT professionals. Presenters will discuss various forms of collaborations including working with a metadata librarian to achieve linked data and description goals; negotiating with IT and campus offices to balance standards and accessibility with speedy resolutions; and combining information technology with cataloging and technical services and the benefits this structure provides. Participants will come away with ideas for navigating the IT landscape(s) within their own institutions - and if the obvious path does not work, workarounds colleagues have devised to more efficiently reach their goals. The session will conclude by opening the floor to the audience to share solutions or how they have successfully addressed their own information technology challenges.