What is an archivist?

Good question. Here's how 2 professional archivists described just what they do and how what they do helps our larger society. The contest was sponsored by the Society of American Archivists in 2007.

The winning entry by Lisa H. Lewis:

“Archivists bring the past to the present. They’re records collectors and protectors, keepers of memory. They organize unique, historical materials, making them available for current and future research.”

Honorable mention by Jacquelyn Ferry:

“Archivists acquire, manage, preserve, and help patrons identify and use historically significant collections of unique materials, such as government records, manuscripts, photographs, films, and sound recordings.”