Research and the Manuscript Tradition / Edition 1

by Frank G. Burke

Overview

Researchers faced with using documentary sources for the first time, such as correspondence, diaries, and literary manuscripts, are plunged into a world far different from the familiar library setting, with its card or computer catalogs, bibliographies, and other resource-finding tools. Over and over, studies of research methodology among scholars reveal that they learn by some sort of collegial osmosis and general fumbling about until they figure things out.

There is an easier way. Burke explains the professional techniques employed by archivists and manuscript curators, describing what they do and why, so the beginning researcher has a foundation for understanding how to search and access personal papers. Burke surveys problems of organization, access, alternative sources, and legal issues with amusing anecdotes and examples.

Research and the Manuscript Tradition is a reflection on using manuscripts for research, administering manuscript and archival collections and institutions, and the lessons learned from teaching a manuscripts administration course for more than twenty years. It provides a solid theoretical base as well as practical advice and a glimpse of the satisfaction that can come from working with personal papers.

Contents: Yuan Shih-Kai, Harriet Monroe, and the Manuscript Tradition; The Recovery of Reality; Opening the Doors to Scholarship; Gathering the Evidence; Mapping the Roads to the Past; Tradition Confronts Technology; Organizing a Life; Good Deeds Do Not Go Unrewarded; The Cultural Crypt; Not by Vaults and Locks...; Law, Curatorial Ethics, and the Researcher; Personal Communication in the Electronic Age.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780810833487
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	11/20/1997
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.72(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

Frank G. Burke is Professor Emeritus, College of Library and Information Services, University of Maryland at College Park. Over the past thirty-five years he has held positions of responsibility at the University of Chicago Special Collections, the Library of Congress Manuscript Division, and the National Archives.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Preface Part 2 Introduction Chapter 3 1 Yean Shih-Kai, Harriet Monroe, and the Manuscript Tradition Chapter 4 2. The Recovery of Reality Chapter 5 3. Opening the Doors to Scholarship Chapter 6 4. Gathering the Evidence Chapter 7 5. Mapping the Roads to the Past Chapter 8 6. Tradition confronts Technology Chapter 9 7. Organizing a life Chapter 10 8. Good deeds do not go unrewarded Chapter 11 9. The cultural crypt Chapter 12 10. Not by Vaults and Locks... Chapter 13 11. Law, Curatorial Ethics, and the Researcher Chapter 14 12. Personal Communication in the Electronic Age Part 15 Appendix: Freedom of Information Act Exemptions Part 16 Glossary of Terms Part 17 Bibliography Part 18 Index Part 19 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Burke's book, the culmination of thirty-five years in the archive profession spent mostly working with private papers, reminds us that personal papers are a superb asset for research and for preserving knowledge of the past.

Archavia

Every serious researcher should have this book in his library, or at least spend 4-5 hours at the library reading it.

Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society Quarterly

Burke's anecdotal style is engaging and readable...this volume...has much to offer...students and historians alike will find this a very useful book...a welcome addition to the growing body of specialized literature on archives and manuscripts.

The Public Historian

A valuable handbook for anyone who needs to examine and analyze manuscript sources.

Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie

The present book is the product of [the author's] teaching manuscript administration courses. This experience leads to the keen insight of this work in providing suggestions for research in archives...Burke's final chapter on digital archives will intrigue many future archivists...clear and insightful direction...

Lisca

Burke has brought the world of private papers to life...provides an in-depth analysis...accessible to and prized by university and professional researchers.

Archivaria

Frank Burke takes on the task of educating researchers in the use and administration of archives and manuscript collections...Burke gives researchers a solid place to start...there is much to be learned from this book and all readers will benefit greatly from it.

New England Archivists

In this absorbing new book, Frank Burke shares his lifetime of insights into the American manuscript tradition. As an archivist, administrator, and teacher, Burke has acquired a keen insight into the preservation and access to our documentary heritage and that wisdom is bound up in this book...destined to become an archival classic.

A Modern Archives Reader

Fortunately for researchers and archivists alike, the publication of this splendid book should go far toward providing graduate students and other budding researchers with fundamental skills and knowledge that will enable them to exploit research materials wisely and effectively. It should be required reading in every doctoral and archives program in the nation.

The American Archivist

A valuable handbook for anyone who needs to examine and analyze manuscript sources.

Zentralblatt für Geologie und Paläontologie

A valuable handbook for anyone who needs to examine and analyze manuscript sources.

Zentralblatt fur Geologie und Palaontologie

A valuable handbook for anyone who needs to examine and analyze manuscript sources.

College & Research Libraries News

Fortunately for researchers and archivists alike, the publication of this splendid book should go far toward providing graduate students and other budding researchers with fundamental skills and knowledge that will enable them to exploit research materials wisely and effectively. It should be required reading in every doctoral and archives program in the nation.

American Archivist

Frank Burke takes on the task of educating researchers in the use and administration of archives and manuscript collections...Burke gives researchers a solid place to start...there is much to be learned from this book and all readers will benefit greatly from it.

New England Archivists Newsletter

A valuable handbook for anyone who needs to examine and analyze manuscript sources..

C&RL News

In this absorbing new book, Frank Burke shares his lifetime of insights into the American manuscript tradition. As an archivist, administrator, and teacher, Burke has acquired a keen insight into the preservation and access to our documentary heritage and that wisdom is bound up in this book...destined to become an archival classic..

Modern Archives Reader

Researchers faced with using documentary sources such as correspondence, diaries, and literary manuscripts for the first time are plunged into a world far different from the familiar library setting. Burke (library and information services, U. of Maryland) explains for the beginning researcher the techniques used by archivists and manuscript curators. He also addresses legal issues and offers advice on searching and accessing personal papers, administering archival and manuscript collections and institutions, and using alternative sources. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews