Surely there aren't many archivists portrayed in literature? Or if there are, they're all dusty stereotypes?
Here is your chance to expose, celebrate or merely comment on the portrayal of archives and archivists in fiction. You may be surprised how often we, or collections of archives, appear in literature. This database brings together books (or films or other works of art) that portray an archive or archivist, or possibly related professionals. As well as exploring the database, you are encouraged to add to it...
The entries in this database have one purpose only: to expose how archives are portrayed in fiction. They have nothing to do with whether a book is good, bad or indifferent, or whether the portrayal of the archive adds anything to the storyline or quality of the work, nor even whether the archive features prominently or only incidentally within the book. All that matters for books to get into the database is that they feature an archive or archivist etc at some point within them, and that they thereby betray some sort of attitude towards the archives world: whether positive or negative, surprising or stereotypical.
As well as books that feature archives, the database may include entries for books on some other subjects as well, where they seem to be fairly closely related in terms of either the profession or the public attitude towards it. So, for instance, special collections librarians, curators of manuscripts or literary papers etc can all be included.
The emphasis in the display of entries is on books, though there is no reason why films or other fictional works should not be in there too. Just be a little imaginative in your interpretation of the 'author' and 'title' fields.
A few related websites are mentioned on a separate page.
The site is launched with a few random entries to demonstrate the concept, but relies on everyone else to add new entries and make it worthwhile. Your submissions will initially be moderated to check that they are not adverts for porn sites or just totally off-topic, but once you've proved your trustworthiness you'll soon be able to submit entries directly into the website. The greater the variety of contributors and contributions, the better!
All contributions to the website are deemed to be in the public domain. As all entries are made anonymously, and there is no way to claim copyright on submissions or to prevent them being edited, contributors don't have the option not to agree to that! This is in essence a collaborative project.
Technical information on the script underlying this website is available on a separate page.