6.1 Feedback from Work Colleague/Community Member/Librarian:
Heritage Werks is a for-profit organization that caters to Fortune 500 companies and wealthy families. They offer an array of high quality exclusive services in preservation and historic valuation. Despite working in archival services in Georgia for 12 years, I was completely unknowledgeable about this company. Heritage Werks was established in Georgia in 2009 by Keir Walton and associates. Having worked at another archival services company called History Factory prior to Heritage Werks, he was familiar with the needs of the industry.
Even though the company focused on archival preservation, the owner and a few of the executives are not trained archivists and therefore do not participate in classic archival professional activities and training. This year was the first time Heritage Werks sent people to the Society of American Archivist’s conference and the Society of Georgia Archivist’s Conference.
In conversations with a managing director and a Marketing representative, I realized that while there is interest in engaging with the local community and even my particular interest group, no significant steps have been taken to engage them. I have made it my duty to engage the local community.
In conversations with a managing director and a Marketing representative, I realized that while there is interest in engaging with the local community and even my particular interest group, no significant steps have been taken to engage them. I have made it my duty to engage the local community.
Society of American Archivists
https://www2.archivists.org
Society of Georgia Archivist
https://soga.wildapricot.org
6.2 Feedback from Class Colleagues:
Up until recently, Heritage Werks participated in such a small number of archival programs in the local and national community. In addition, some employees experienced some challenges related to administration. Therefore, between the lack of visibility in the archival community and the negative experiences of former employees, the reputation of the company was deeply affected.
When I reached out to colleagues about this company they either heard disparaging comments about them or have never heard of them. This provoked alot of curiosity in me about the company I am working for. While I did begin to worry about the company and their practices, I also was very clear that this company applied a model to preservation that is different and even in contrast to most archival services agencies, repositories, or institutions.
At the advice of a colleague, instead of questioning the company, I began researching The History Factory and companies that they have been servicing for a long time. What I discovered was the factory-like operations and metric-driven practices have helped the company excel, however it has caused some negative impact at the employee level. However, the corporate culture has its issues with productivity and sensitivity. Therefore, I am interested in seeking out companies that are also profit driven but have made choices that have allowed them to be recognized as a responsible and ethical company.
Heritage Works
vhttps://www2.archivists.org
HistoryFactory
https://www.historyfactory.com/post-type/guide/