Closing an Era

The importance of records in modern society is explored by re-examining some of the historical antecedents for critical functions in the modern records professions. The motivation for writing this book comes from a conviction of the importance of records and records professionals in organizations and society, as well as the need to possess a stronger sense of the events, trends, people, debates, and controversies producing the modern records professions.Archivists and records managers have tended to discount the importance of their historical antecedents, ignoring the fact that many of the current debates and issues before the profession are not new but embedded in the historical evolution of the records professions. Re-examining some of the historical origins helps records professionals to re-examine their mission to manage records for the benefit of organizations and of all of society. Such re-evaluation also helps to remind records professionals and others that the concerns generated by new electronic recordkeeping technologies are not new at all but built deep within the fabric of traditional records creation and administration.

.,."this book is a worthy purchase for individuals and libraries wishing to understand more about the history of records and their management."-The Australian Library Journal, ?...this book is a worthy purchase for individuals and libraries wishing to understand more about the history of records and their management.?-The Australian Library Journal, ?Closing an Era is important as it presents the views, opinions, and insights of an archival educator on a broad range of topics....Cox's book should be required reading in our academic programmes.?-Archivaria 51, ?Cox is known for his outspoken opinions on the need for archival scholarship in history, theory, and practice, his advocacy for strong programs of graduate archival education, and his participation in one of the most influential studies so far on the management and description of digital records. These nine essays bring all these interests together and provide a challenging group of readings for intending and practicing archivists alike.?-Libraries and Culture, ?With this book, Cox has made a significant contribution to the body of publications focusing on the records profession; for archivists, librarians, and records managers. Closing an Era is a book worth reading.?-College & Research Libraries

RICHARD J. COX is Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Information Science./e