The HRC thanks Linda Hocking, Curator of Library and Archives at the Litchfield Historical Society in Litchfield, CT, for volunteering to be a guest author for the following entry and for sharing her insight and experience with our readers.

The Basics of Archives Continuing Education Program (BACE) provides participants with a great overview of the theory and practice behind the archives profession.

Developed as a joint project between the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) and the Council of State Archivists, with funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the program:

"...provides training materials designed to introduce individuals who have responsibility for archival collections -- but may never have received formal archival training -- to the basics of archives.

Taking the BACE course will not make anyone an archivist. Instead it is intended to make participants aware of the responsibilities and obligations that historical records programs accept when they bring an archival collection into their institutions.

Ideally, the BACE program will connect professional archivists with those intelligent, hard working, and well meaning individuals who care for historical records in local institutions."

It is also a good educational tool for volunteers, board members, or interns. They will learn what maintaining and providing access to archives entails, whether it be to work with collections, write grant applications, or make decisions about acquisitions.

For more information about the BACE program, check out their website at: http://www.statearchivists.org/arc/bace/index.htm