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Examining the Cost of Care on Archives Professionals

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Archivists are caregivers, taking care of dependents, loved ones, and relatives, young and old, healthy and sick. At the 2021 SAA Research Forum, the authors presented initial findings of their Cost of Care Survey to investigate the effect caregiving has on archivists: how they manage work responsibilities, professional engagement, and development opportunities, as well as the long-term effects that wages and the costs of care have on caregivers. The survey also collected data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders on caregivers. This allowed for a timely examination of how caregiving roles and responsibilities have changed since March 1, 2020. This article elaborates on the methodology employed for drafting and disseminating the survey, the interpretation of over 700 data variables, and the discussion of preliminary findings and analysis of the survey results. The article also clarifies and corrects data that was misinterpreted and presented at the Forum in July 2021. Any visuals included here represent newly interpreted data.

Publication Date

5-2022

Publication Title

Society of American Archivists

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