Archival Training in Germany: A Balance Between Specialization in Historical Research and Administrative Needs

This article describes archival training as it is offered at the Archives School of Marburg, Germany. Such training is a prerequisite for posts in all German state and municipal archives. There is a long tradition of archival training in Germany, beginning with an ordinance stating that in Prussian state archives no one could be hired who had not passed certain written and oral examinations. This article describes the content and structure of the courses offered at Marburg and outlines the principles that provide the basis for the structure of training.