An archivist manages and maintains collections of books, papers, maps, plans, photographs, prints, films, tapes, videos and computer records. These items help the work of researchers, providing a record of how people lived in the past.

The work of an archivist is likely to include:

Museum and art gallery curators manage collections of objects of artistic, scientific and historic interest, bringing them to life in a way that's educational and appealing.

They:

• research and develop collections
• share items with other collections
• interpret collections for a range of visitors
• plan and create displays and exhibitions.

Curators may also be involved in marketing, fundraising, answering visitor questions, giving presentations or in management roles.

Art valuers provide advice on how much a work of art or collections of artwork are worth when people want to buy, sell or insure them. Artworks include paintings, sculpture, furniture, silver, jewellery, clocks and other collectables. Many art valuers specialise in a particular subject or period, eg 18th-century British painting. They examine each object to gather information about and examine any documents relating to the object, such as purchase receipts or letters describing how the document came into the possession of the owner.

Genealogists trace and chart family trees or lines of descent, using resources including:

• birth, death and marriage certificates
• old parish registers (for pre-1837 births, marriages and deaths)
• military records
• wills
• immigration records and ship passenger lists
• census returns (mainly from between 1841 and 1911).

Typical activities can include:

The Role

Translating is the process of transferring written text from one language into another. Anything that is written can be translated: advertisements, books, games software, legal documents, websites, film subtitles etc. Translators work either in-house (as employee of an organisation) or freelance. Usually, translators work from one or more languages into their mother tongue.

The Role

Librarians, or information professionals, have numerous roles and can work in a variety of different environments. But, what exactly do librarians do? What types of libraries are there? What types of skills are required to be a librarian?

The Role

Interpreting is the transfer of one spoken or signed language to another. Interpreters work in a wide range or different settings – from international conferences and business meetings to courts and doctors’ surgeries.

The role

British Sign Language, or BSL, interpreters act as a bridge of communication between deaf and hearing people. They pay close attention to what is said or signed, before interpreting and communicating what has been said or signed to the other party in English or BSL.

They might be required to prepare for an assignment, including looking up particular vocabulary and information relating to a subject.

A British Sign Language Interpreter must remain impartial and only provide advice or an opinion if it aids the communication process.