History Center library director publishes revised archives guide

Dr. Adam Bentz spent three years updating ‘Organizing Archival Records,’ a comprehensive guide to archives management.

York, Pa. – Dr. Adam T. Bentz, director of Library & Archives at the York County History Center, recently published a revised edition of “Organizing Archival Records,” originally written by former Pennsylvania State Archivist David W. Carmicheal.

The updated edition maintains the book’s practical, step-by-step approach to archives management while incorporating current best practices and methods for making archives more inclusive and accessible. Bentz worked on the revision for three years.

“Adam Bentz has updated the fifth edition of David Carmicheal’s iconic volume and provides a must-read for people working with both small and large collections,” said Kaye Lanning Minchew, Georgia archivist and historian.

The book features examples from the History Center’s collections, including an image of the organization’s movable archives shelving on the cover, as well as finding aids and descriptions of the Center’s Share Your History program and other public engagement initiatives.

Bentz joined the History Center in May of 2019 and was promoted to director in May of 2024.

The York County History Center’s Library & Archives houses extensive resources for local history and genealogical research, including more than 9,000 family surname files compiled from multiple sources. The collections include military records and documents dating to the Revolutionary War, obituaries and wedding and engagement announcements from York’s two daily newspapers, and property history resources. The facility also provides access to Ancestry.com Library Edition and Newspapers.com Pennsylvania Edition.

Media contacts

YORK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER: Dan Fink, dfink@yorkhistorycenter.org, 717-848-1587 ext. 216.

About the York County History Center

The York County History Center, a nonprofit organization, inspires the exploration of the rich history, diverse people, and vibrant culture of York County, Pennsylvania and the United States. Housing more than 90,000 artifacts, the collection spans nearly 300 years of York County’s history, showcasing its development and spotlighting the many community contributions. The History Center’s Library & Archives is generally considered one of the best local history and genealogy libraries in the state and offers a wealth of resources to help you with your research.