LAMs: Libraries, Archives, and Museums

Libraries, Archives, and Museums, often referred to as LAMs or GLAMs when Galleries are included, are spaces that preserve, share, and help us make sense of the world's knowledge, culture, and history. These institutions serve as places of study, contemplation, education, and accountability. While they all work toward similar goals, the materials they hold, how they describe those materials, and the way users interact with collections can vary widely.

LAMs often function independently of each other, despite shared values and complementary work. The professional education, metadata standards, and public service philosophies in each field can lead to silos. Libraries tend to focus on books and media, museums on objects, and archives on unique records and documents. But in practice, the boundaries between them are not strict.

Professional Education Across LAMs

Librarians typically hold a Master of Library Science or Library and Information Science from a graduate program, often affiliated with an information school. These programs may incorporate computer science, user experience, and records management. Librarians in public schools often need state-level teaching certification.

Archivists may also have a library degree with a focus on archives, or a Master of Arts in history, public history, or another related discipline. Some archivists enter the field with hands-on experience rather than formal training. According to the A*CENSUS II study, 86 percent of archivists hold an advanced degree, with 60 percent earning an MLS or MLIS. About 22 percent are certified archivists.

Museum professionals come from a wide variety of educational paths, including public history, preservation, museum studies, art history, or domain-specific areas like biology or anthropology. Depending on their role, they may hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

There are many cousin professions that interact with LAMs, including archaeologists, conservators, curators, and information or knowledge managers. Each of these groups contributes to the broader ecosystem of cultural stewardship.

Organizational Support and Structures

Professional organizations help support LAM professionals through resources, advocacy, and accreditation. The American Library Association (ALA), Society of American Archivists (SAA), and American Alliance of Museums (AAM) are the primary national organizations in the United States. Others include regional and state-level associations, subject-based groups like the Digital Library Federation, and the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section of ACRL.

LAMs can exist within many types of organizations. Universities, whether public or private, are nonprofit institutions and often contain all three types of repositories. Government entities at the local, state, and federal levels may operate libraries, archives, or museums. Nonprofit religious organizations, businesses, and stand-alone cultural institutions can also house collections.

Differences in Collections and Access

One major distinction across LAMs is how each defines and manages collections. Libraries work mostly with mass-produced materials like books and media. Archives tend to focus on unique records and treat entire groups of material as single units. Museums, on the other hand, catalog individual objects even when they are part of a broader donation.

Access philosophies differ as well. Libraries prioritize access and circulation, offering materials for checkout or onsite use. Archives provide access by preserving context and arrangement, and use is often mediated through finding aids or staff assistance. Museums share their collections through exhibitions, requiring coordination across departments and external stakeholders.

Shared Vocabulary and Metadata Standards

Though the fields may use different terminology, many concepts overlap. Terms like provenance, accessioning, cataloging, processing, preservation, and curation have related meanings in each domain. However, how these concepts are implemented may vary.

LAMs use a variety of metadata standards. Libraries typically use Resource Description and Access (RDA), MARC, and controlled vocabularies. Archives follow Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and often implement Encoded Archival Description (EAD) for digital finding aids. Museums may follow the guidelines in Museum Registration Methods or standards tailored to specific types of collections. Dublin Core is a flexible metadata standard often used across all three domains for digital projects.

Collaboration and the Future of LAMs

Collaboration across LAMs is growing. The Committee on Archives, Libraries, and Museums, jointly supported by ALA, SAA, and AAM, encourages dialogue and cooperation. Initiatives like OCLC’s Collective Wisdom project explore ways institutions can learn from one another and share resources.

Although each institution may refer to its users differently—as patrons, visitors, researchers, or audience members—the people who benefit from LAM services often overlap. Shared programming, digital exhibitions, and joint preservation efforts allow these institutions to better serve their communities.

Ultimately, the work of LAMs supports memory, creativity, and access to knowledge. While the language and infrastructure may differ, the mission is deeply aligned.

Watch the Webinar

Want to hear more about the differences and connections among Libraries, Archives, and Museums? Watch our recorded webinar where we explore shared practices, institutional structures, and opportunities for collaboration.