| Summary: | Examination of the context of record creation, maintenance, and use is a
valuable tool which allows the archivist to build a body of knowledge regarding
archival records and their creators. Such knowledge enables the archivist to
make informed decisions in all realms of archival practice. This discussion
focuses upon the women's organization, undertaking a case study of three
organizations in Vancouver, British Columbia in order to provide information
about their record keeping practices.
The case study employs open-ended focus interviews, observation, and
document analysis, where provided. Participants are selected based upon their
involvement in the creation, maintenance, and use of records in their respective
organizations. They are asked to provide information as to the administrative
history of the organization and to describe the processes by which they receive,
create, use, organize, maintain, and destroy records. Participants are also
asked to characterize their organization and its record keeping practices as they
relate to the concept of a women's organization.
A framework for analysis is established, which allows for further
characterization of each women's organization. This framework addresses the
voluntary nature of most women's organizations, as well as their unique
processes and forms. Three models are presented which allow for further
characterization of the history, structure, and practices of each organization.
The distinctive internal processes, forms, and record keeping practices of the
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, the Western
Businesswomen's Association, and the West Coast Women's Legal Education
and Action Fund are presented. The thesis concludes by providing
recommendations regarding further explorations of record creation,
maintenance, and use and their value for the archival profession. === Arts, Faculty of === Library, Archival and Information Studies (SLAIS), School of === Graduate
|
|---|
