A 30-60-90 day plan is a crucial roadmap for new film archivists to ensure a smooth transition into their role and to establish a foundation for long-term success in film preservation and archival management. This plan helps set clear goals, track progress, and identify key competencies required in the specialized field of film archiving.
This customized 30-60-90 day onboarding template for film archivists enables you to:
- Define specific objectives related to film cataloging, preservation techniques, and archival software proficiency.
- Document observations and insights from reviewing existing film collections and archival policies.
- Track progress on hands-on projects such as film digitization, restoration assessments, and metadata creation.
Whether you are joining a film archive, museum, or cultural institution, this plan provides structured guidance to help you quickly adapt to the technical and organizational demands of your new position.
Benefits of a 30-60-90 Day Plan for Film Archivists
Implementing this plan offers several advantages:
- Provides a clear framework to acquire specialized knowledge of film formats, preservation standards, and archival ethics.
- Facilitates collaboration with curators, conservators, and technical staff to understand institutional workflows.
- Helps prioritize learning and project involvement to make meaningful contributions early in your tenure.
- Supports continuous professional development by setting measurable milestones aligned with archival best practices.
Main Elements of the Film Archivist 30-60-90 Day Plan
This plan is structured into three key phases, each focusing on targeted goals and tasks:
First 30 Days: Orientation and Foundation
- Familiarize yourself with the archive’s collection scope, cataloging systems, and preservation policies.
- Complete training on archival management software and digitization equipment.
- Begin reviewing condition reports and handling protocols for various film media.
- Attend team meetings and establish communication channels with colleagues.
31-60 Days: Skill Development and Project Engagement
- Assist in cataloging new acquisitions and updating metadata records.
- Participate in film inspection and preservation assessments under supervision.
- Contribute to digitization workflows, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
- Document findings and challenges encountered during hands-on tasks.
61-90 Days: Independent Contribution and Evaluation
- Take ownership of specific archival projects such as restoration prioritization or collection rehousing.
- Propose improvements to existing workflows based on observations and research.
- Present progress reports to supervisors and seek feedback for further growth.
- Develop a professional development plan outlining goals beyond the initial onboarding period.
This structured approach ensures that new film archivists not only gain essential knowledge and skills but also become active contributors to the preservation and accessibility of valuable film heritage. By following this 30-60-90 day plan, film archivists can confidently navigate their new role and lay the groundwork for a successful career in archival science.
