Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
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  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
The Relational Archivist: Centering People in the Archive

The Relational Archivist: Centering People in the Archive

Rivera, Elizabeth

Hardcover

General Reference

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ISBN13: 9798216277163
Publisher: Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited
Published: Dec 10 2026
Pages: 208
Weight: 1.00
Height: 1.00 Width: 6.12 Depth: 9.25
Language: English

Learn how to cultivate collaborative relationships and place people at the center of archival work to create a growing and thriving archive.

The Relational Archivist argues that the future of archival practice depends on recognizing relationships as foundational to how we preserve and share history. While collections remain central to archives, their meaning and impact are realized through the connections archivists build with the people who create, use, support, and sustain archival work. This relationship-centered approach strengthens archival practice, enriches institutions, expands access, and fosters more engaged communities.

Drawing on public history, archival scholarship, and examples from university archives, this book demonstrates how intentional relationships lead to stronger collections, innovative exhibits, meaningful programs, donor partnerships, and collaborative opportunities. It offers practical strategies for cultivating shared authority, reducing professional isolation, and building sustainable archival practices.

More than a guide to archival outreach, The Relational Archivist challenges the profession to reconsider how archives define success. Archives preserve the stories of people, but they depend on the people who steward those stories. By supporting archivists, creating healthier workplaces, strengthening institutions, and fostering deeper community connections, relational practice helps ensure that the stories entrusted to archives continue to inspire future generations.

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