Yayoi Tsutsui, Candidate for Nominating Committee
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Researcher University of Tsukuba Archives, 2019-Present
Part-time Lecturer Graduate School for Language and Society, Hitotsubashi University, 2012-2020
Part-time Staff National Institute of Japanese Literature (Marega Project with Vatican Apostolic Library), 2013-2018
Contract Archivist dealing with University, Business, and Architectural Records, 2010-2020
Part-time Staff Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Foundation, 2004-2008
Intern and Part-time Staff The University Museum, the University of Tokyo, 2001-2004
EDUCATION:
- Master of Arts (Archival Science), Gakushuin University: 2010
- Certificate in Museum Studies, Harvard University Extension School: 2001
- Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts (Classics), International Christian University: 1980
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
- Academy of Certified Archivist: Member, 2015-present; Provisional Member, 2013-2015
- Society of American Archivists: Member, 2009-present
- International Council of Museums: Member, 2016-present
- International Council on Archives: Member, 2021-present
“What is the role of archival certification in the modern work environment?"
The role of archival certification in the modern work environment is the recognition of archival proficiency not only in the United States, but also in the international setting. When we prepare for the examination, we archivists read the statement on role delineation for professional archivists. This increases our archival knowledge and betters our understanding of the profession.
In Japan, the National Archives of Japan (NAJ) established a certification program of archivists in 2020. Archivist Certification Committee reviews the application which shows the three criteria: knowledge and skills, working experience, and research and study. NAJ does not apply the examination for her system. Prior to the start of this system, NAJ surveyed foreign systems. On the US system, Dr. Takahiro Sakaguchi referred to Dr. Mott Linn’s AA vol.78 (2015) article about the benefits of being certified. He concluded that the wide acceptance of CA is because of examination based on the common knowledge and skills as well as recertification to guarantee updating the knowledge and enhance the professional ability.
As Dr. David B. Gracy II mentioned at his speech in SAA CoSA joint annual meeting 2019 Austin, “We had tremendous archivists. We had wonderful archivists who knew they were aout and were doing great jobs. We needed some way to recognize their capability, their strength, their quality. That is one of the principle reasons that I supported from the get go the Certification of Archivists. And still do.” I agree with him because I proved my archival expertise by passing the fair CA examination showing my baseline. The title of CA gives me strong self-confidence.
Under Covid-19 circumstances, ACA provides “Happy Hour”, a great opportunity to talk with colleagues including notable archivists. Once we earn the certificate and make the effort to maintain it, the Academy is like a family.