Document Type

Poster

Conference Name

Society of American Archivists Annual Meeting

Publication Date

Summer 7-30-2026

Keywords

archives, donor relations, emotional labor

Abstract

Though a crucial part of archives work, emotional labor and its effect on the profession are not well understood. From professional transitions, the loss of a residence, a health crisis, or the loss of a loved one, archivists who have limited experience in working with donors enduring a life crisis can themselves experience emotional trauma. Current archival literature on donor relations primarily focuses on the processes and procedures involved in working with donors to transfer materials. However, there is a notable lack of scholarship on the emotional labor involved in the donation process. The poster will focus on emerging literature and studies on archival emotional labor and discuss ways to incorporate mental health and wellness into archivists' donor relations practices.

Download

Share

COinS