Archive

Archive: A place made up of many collections that holds past files, folders, maps, etc. that are primary sources (original). These collections are organized in a database: an Archive.

Archives are essential for one who wants to gather research on a specific topic. One can go to an archive to gather information from the original sources of the past.

But, what are these sources exactly?

The variety materials that archives hold differentiates it from a library. Such materials are photographs, journals, sketches, reports, data, film, PDF's, Mp3 files, old travel guides, maps, etc. The one thing that all these sources have in common is that they are they are primary sources.

The archivist from the New School University, Jenny, spoke to our class about how archives stand as a functional tool for finding more information on a specific topic you are interested in. She informed us of the many archives in New York City that we have access to. They Are:

• University archives
• Brooklyn College archive
• New York Times archive
• Brooklyn Public Library archive
• Brooklyn Historical Society archive
• City of New York archive
• Interference archive in Brooklyn

We can also find libraries and archives based on our topic thru the search engine, www.worldcat.org. Or, in books where a little number is above a word is present, it's referencing a source which will be located in detail in the back of the book along with many other works sited. 

Jenny was kind enough to bring is materials from the New School University archive. My partner and I examined the first Parsons yearbook from 1971. It consisted of photos, text, and drawings that the students contributed. Thru this activity, we learned that archive material enable us to make our own observations/analysis and raise new questions to further research. The littlest details in archival materials can tell the researcher so much. That is why it is so important to give meticulous attention in your observations. 

I was surprised by how many things can be considered archival material. An archive exists in my own dorm room. I have a box of last semesters notes, essays, projects, photographs, and readings. Even my personal journal is archival material.

I personally, love history and piecing facts together. I love how one archival material such as a photograph, rises questions that I can further research. It take me deeper and deeper into a certain topic. I am eager to indulge in archiving. I would love to explore archives on the topic of Ellis Island because that place was the mecca for immigration in the U.S. 

Here are a few example of archive material from The New School University's digital archive collection