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NAAB Masterclass - Ken Dahl

Ken Dahl of the City of Saskatoon Archives, applied to the SCAA Professional Development fund to attended, in Edmonton March 11-14 , 2019, the "NAAB Masterclass." This is his experience:

In 2019, the National Archival Appraisal Board (NAAB), in an attempt to standardize archival appraisals across the country came up with the idea of offering a “Masterclass” to those interested.  Not only is NAAB trying to standardize things, they are also hoping to bring in experienced archivists to become new appraisers and increase the number of practicing appraisers.  In February and March of 2019, NAAB offered three different sessions (of this class) in Fredericton, Edmonton and Ottawa.  I have been doing NAAB appraisals for a number of years now, the last five have been as a practicing NAAB appraiser.  I was the only one at the class who had done any previous appraisals, this appraisal experience was, for the most part, beneficial.
 
The course itself was very well run, and I found it to be particularly worthwhile.  The main instructor was Elwood Jones, who has been a member of NAAB (and its predecessor group) since 1971, and chair of the Ontario region of NAAB from 1976 to 2013.  So, clearly, he knew what he was talking about.  We also heard from a number of other archival appraisers (via Skype) throughout the four day class, and their differing expertise in terms records types, was really noticeable and valuable.  We have done one “in-house” appraisal here at the City of Saskatoon Archives, and, I believe, that in the future archival institutions in the province might look to this as a possible avenue to explore.  The information introduced to us in the class and the various appraisal methodologies that can be employed, should be beneficial to us at the City Archives and any future in-house archival appraisals we might do.
 
The course ended with a take home assignment that is to be graded.  I am still waiting to see how that all goes.  Fingers crossed!
 
Ken Dahl

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