September 1, 2021

Columbus State University’s David Owings, head of Archives and Special Collections, was recently appointed chair for the Society of American Archivists Committee on Archival Facility Guidelines. 

As chair, Owings will lead efforts to update and revise the guide Archival and Special Collections Facilities: Guidelines for Archivists, Librarians, Architects, and Engineers (2009). This guide provides standards for how archival facilities should be designed and maintained. It includes detailed standards on environmental and mechanical controls such as temperature, humidity, lighting, and fire suppression. It also includes best practices on many other topics of construction and renovation with considerations for the specialized nature of archival operations. 

This work is published by the Society of American Archives (SAA). SAA, founded in 1936, is the oldest and largest professional association for archivists and is a recognized leader for archivists around the world. Its facility standards, revised by Owings and a team of eight other internationally known archival experts, will be consulted by archivists globally. 

For Owings, this international impact is one of the most rewarding parts of the task. “Being able to contribute and participate in these efforts is an immense honor and then to help lead it is even more of an honor. There are archives that exist outside of universities, such as the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and the State Archives in Atlanta,” Owings said. “Many businesses, corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits have archives, like Coca-Cola, the Columbus Museum, and the Historic Columbus Foundation. Even churches have archives; including the famous Vatican Archives.” 

Owings holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Columbus State and a master’s in history with specialization in archival and museum studies from Auburn University. He has led CSU’s Archives and Special Collections since 2013. His archival facility expertise was recently at the forefront of a major renovation that concluded in 2020. His involvement was key to designing the new Archives location on the ground floor of the Simon Schwob Memorial Library. That project included a new archival vault with specialized environmental controls designed to ensure the long-term preservation of the Archive’s priceless collections.

Since 1975, CSU’s Archives and Special Collections has served as a repository for the university and surrounding Chattahoochee Valley communities. Its intention is to store records in an attempt to showcase the various lifestyles in specific time periods—including documents centered on commercial industrial aspects, goods and products, personal and family papers, and more.