October 4th is #AskAnArchivist Day!

#AskAnArchivistIt’s that time of year again – October 4th is #AskAnArchivist Day! This is the day when archivists across the country (and the globe) tell everyone more about what kind of work they do, and the types of interesting material you can find in archives. Below are some FAQ’s with information about the Bentley Archives. If you want to know more about any of these topics, find us on social media and ask your question using #AskAnArchivist. You can also email your question to archives@bentley.edu.  Want to see photos of campus or students in a certain time period? Curious to find out more about Bentley’s early days in Boston? Ask us to find out!

What is an archive? What’s in the Bentley Archives?

There are lots of ways to describe archives but essentially they are repositories for items of historical value that relate to a common topic. The Bentley Archives preserves the historic records of (you guessed it) Bentley University! We have historical papers and objects documenting all 100 years of life and learning at Bentley. These items are preserved and organized so that people can use them for research – although archives material cannot be checked out like library books. You can find out more on our Archives LibGuide.

Can I use the collections in the Bentley Archives?

Yes! If you have a specific idea or project in mind, or if you know what kind of historical items you’d like to see, please email archives@bentley.edu. If you’d like to get a better sense of the types of material you can access, a good place to start is our Archives Subject Guide. We are always happy to help identify photos, documents, or objects that might be helpful in your work. You’ll need an appointment to view material in the Archives, so try to send in requests early and we can work with you to get history into your hands!

Where can I look at material from the Bentley Archives online?

You can view all of our online exhibits on the archives website! If you’d like to see a collection of historic photographs from the Bentley Archives, you can view them online at Digital Commonwealth. If you need help searching through images, or if you have any other questions about our online material, please let us know.

Where else can I explore & interact with archival material online?

There are lots of great places to explore and contribute to archival research online. Many are linked in our Online Volunteering LibGuide, and a few highlihts are included below.

  • NYPL Labs is the homepage for digital projects from the New York Public Library. You can view and search through digitized material, or participate in research and information-gathering projects like “Building Inspector” – where you help to update and correct historic maps.
  • Online Exhibits from the U.S. National Archives can be a good place to start browsing through such a vast collection. You can also help transcribe and ID documents on their Citizen Archivist
  • The World Digital Library lets you search collections from over 190 different countries, and to browse featured items related to world history.
  • Beyond Words from the Library of Congress digital collections lets you explore historic newspapers while helping to identify and caption illustrations.
  • Lastly, the Knitting Reference Library from the University of Southampton. This quirky collection contains Victorian texts about knitting, historic knitting patterns, and more. This collection is hosted via the Internet Archive – where you can explore many other archival collections as well!

Can I donate material to the Bentley Archives?

Yes! Read our FAQs about donation. We’ll also be reaching out to faculty, staff, and students this year to identify and collect material for the Archives. If you have personal or family records (non-Bentley related) that you want to preserve, you may be interested in our page about Caring for Archival Material.

Don’t forget to send us your questions on Wednesday, October 4th, and of course you can always contact us year-round at archives@bentley.edu!

#AskAnArchivist on October 1st

October is American Archives Month and the celebrations are kicking off with #AskAnArchivist Day! Lots of people are unfamiliar with archives, so we’re here today to answer any and all questions you might have. Below are the answers to some common questions about archives in general, and about what’s in the Bentley Archives. If you have more questions that you’d like answered by the Archivist you can comment here or send your question to one of the Bentley Library’s social media accounts using #AskAnArchivist ! Want to know what the oldest item in our collection is? Want to see pictures of your fellow students from a specific historic time period? Go ahead and ask!

What is an archive? What’s in the Bentley Archives?

There are lots of ways to describe archives but essentially they are repositories for items of historical value that relate to a common topic. The Bentley Archives preserves the historic records of (you guessed it) Bentley University! We have objects spanning almost 100 years which are collected to document the history of life and learning at Bentley. These items are preserved and organized so that people can use them for research – although archives material cannot be checked out like library books.

Can I use the collections in the Bentley Archives?

Yes! Our collections are still being organized, but you can take a look at our Archives LibGuide to see what we have. If you know what kind of historical items you’d like to see, or if you have an idea or project and are interested in using the Archives, please email archives@bentley.edu. We are always happy to help identify photos, documents, or objects that might be helpful in your work. You’ll need an appointment to view material in the Archives, so try to send in requests early and we can work with you to get history into your hands!

What are some fun facts about Bentley that you’ve learned in the Archives?

  • A lot of political power players have visited Bentley. Our commencement speakers include Sen. Ted Kennedy and Sec. of State John Kerry, as well as former MA Gov. Mitt Romney. In 1958, President (then Sen.) John F. Kennedy spoke at a Bentley alumni event!
  • We have always been a school of hard workers. In a pamphlet distributed to students around 1930, at least 20 hours of homework per week are recommended. The tuition was a bit different though. Tuition in 1929-30 was $235, and room & board could be had for about $10 a week!
  • There’s tons of great Bentley history in downtown Boston! Our campus used to be spread across many buildings, primarily in the Back Bay neighborhood. You can still visit many of these buildings on Tremont Street, Boylston Street, and Commonwealth Avenue. Don’t look for our old classrooms at 815 Boylston Street though – it’s now an Apple Store!
  • Find out more facts about Bentley history in our online exhibit – Bentley Through the Years.

I have a lot of papers, photos and mementos – how do I start preserving my own history?

It’s never too early to start your own personal archive! First, let us know if any of your material is related to Bentley. We might be a good place to donate material if, for example, you’re the head of a department or a student organization, you took pictures of a campus event, etc. If the material is of a more personal nature, here are some quick tips:

  • Put a date (at least the year) on everything! Date papers and photos lightly with a pencil. For digital files, see if the creation date is in the file properties, or add a date to the file name.
  • Create safe spaces for records. Get a filing cabinet or some acid-free boxes for your physical items, and get an external hard drive to store digital files.
  • Design an organizational scheme. Try to divide items into a few broad categories that make sense & are memorable to you. If possible, create folders for these categories both in digital & physical space. Then you can always sort new items easily instead of letting them pile up!

For more tips on personal archiving, including where to find help with digitizing and storing photographs or other media, see our Archives LibGuide.

If you still have questions about the Archives, send them to us here or on social media with #AskAnArchivist, or email archives@bentley.edu!