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Date Permissions Signed

12-4-2012

Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

First Advisor

Jimerson, Randall C.

Second Advisor

Kurtz, Tony, 1965-

Third Advisor

Eurich, S. Amanda, 1956-

Abstract

Drawing on research into digital technologies and their effects on society and archives, as well as research on the public image of archives, this thesis examines whether technological changes, specifically the Internet, have had any effects on public perceptions of archives and if so to determine the nature of those effects. It relies on a survey to measure possible effects of Internet technology on perceptions of archives. Findings suggest that there are a number of ways in which the Internet may be affecting perceptions of archives, including prompting both increased expectations for the provision of digital information and materials and also a decrease in the perceived accessibility and value of archives; adding possible definitions for what may be considered an "archive"; changing which tasks people associate most strongly with archives; and altering which stereotypes people are most likely to associate with archives. Responses also suggest that there are a number of influences besides the Internet which may affect the stereotypes applied to archives.

Type

Text

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/kh0q-b847

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

827009339

Subject – LCSH

Archives--Public opinion; Archives--Computer network resources--Public opinion; Internet--Public opinion

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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