Archivists determine what portion of the vast amount of information produced by government agencies, corporations, educational institutions, and other organizations should be made part of a historical record or put on exhibit. They classify information so it may be located easily and determine whether it should be stored as original documents, on microfilm, or as computer records. Archives may be part of a library or museum or may be a separate unit. Most items in archives are documents, but photographs, blueprints, and other items also are stored. Archivists often specialize in an area of history or technology so they can properly determine what should become part of the archives.
Curators manage collections in museums, zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens, and historic sites.
They acquire items through purchases, gifts, field exploration, inter museum loans, or, in the case of plants and animals, breeding. Curators also plan and prepare attractive, interesting, and informative exhibits. Some curators plan and conduct museum education programs. Since many tours are composed of school groups, tours must be geared to the age of the students. Some museums conduct classes, workshops, or lectures for students or the general public which are conducted or arranged for by curators.