Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York Latest News

A.R.T. Advocacy Alert: Contact Congress for IMLS Funding

Kirk Mudle — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 23:14:05 GMT

Dear A.R.T. Members,

In the coming weeks, the Senate may begin consideration of an appropriations bill that contains funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for fiscal year 2026.

The draft Senate bill proposes a small decrease for IMLS despite President Trump's budget proposal to eliminate the agency. Thanks to its past advocacy efforts, the cultural heritage community has been able to keep IMLS open despite previous attempts to shutter the agency.

We encourage you to contact your members of Congress and urge them to keep IMLS Office of Museum Services funding levels in the bill and to include additional safeguards to prevent the White House from cutting appropriated funds. Our colleagues at the American Alliance of Museums have a form that is easy to fill out to reach your representatives.

Contact Congress

Update on IMLS Lawsuit

In April, attorneys general from 21 states filed a lawsuit, Rhode Island v. Trump, to defend IMLS and prevent the Trump administration from cancelling grants awarded by the agency.

In May, the judge in the case issued a preliminary injunction requiring the White House to undo the steps it had taken to dismantle IMLS and prohibited further action against the agency.

In September, a coalition of museum, library, and cultural organizations filed an amicus brief as the case proceeded to the federal appellate level. We encourage you to read it.

Oral arguments have been scheduled for Thursday, December 4, in Boston.

Please feel free to reach out to the A.R.T. Advocacy Committee with questions, comments, and suggestions at advocacy@nycarchivists.org.

Note: The above post is adapted from a message from our colleagues at the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH).

- Kirk Mudle, Advocacy Committee Director

Results from the A.R.T. Advocacy Committee's 2025 survey

Kirk Mudle — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT

It's Here!

The moment you've been waiting for has arrived! Dive into the A.R.T. Advocacy Committee's 2025 survey findings.

We're tackling the big questions:

How do archivists really feel about their work?
What are post-COVID workplace conditions like?
What changes do archivists want to see in the field?
How can A.R.T. better serve its members?

Read the full report, dig in, and let's discuss!

MTV News Goes Dark

Nicole Font — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 15:00:46 GMT

Is losing decades of music history and pop culture journalism a fair price for a corporation's bottom line? This question compels archivists to grapple with the tension between preserving cultural heritage and the financial realities of the media landscape.

The disappearance of MTV News' archives potentially raises some critical issues:

The fragility of digital history: If a major corporation can simply erase its own past, what does this mean for the long-term accessibility of online information? Are internet archive services enough to safeguard cultural heritage in the digital age?
The value of music journalism: The MTV News archives represent a rich tapestry of music journalism, documenting careers, trends, and cultural movements. Does the financial value of this content outweigh its historical and cultural significance?
The role of archivists: This incident underscores the importance of archivists in advocating for the preservation of digital cultural heritage. How can archivists work with media companies to ensure valuable content isn't lost forever?

Or, is there a lot of smoke, but no actual fire to this development?

Jenny S. (A.R.T. member since 2004/5) asks:

Is the archive truly lost, or is the content just inaccessible? The article makes no distinction, but it's an important one. The equation of content not freely accessible on the web with vanished or "scrubbed" is one that we, as archivists, should be continuously addressing. It's hard to imagine that Paramount would dump this content goldmine. Perhaps a plan to monetize it better is in the works? There are too many unknowns to begin mourning MTV News.

One aspect of advocacy is applying our expertise to topical issues and making our work legible to users and decision-makers. How do you explain nuances such as accessibility and preservation?

ART Statement on January 6th Attack on the Capitol

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 16:01:12 GMT

The board of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (ART) condemns in the strongest terms the attack on the United States Capitol by those seeking to block the certification of electors in the recent presidential election.

We abhor the violence that resulted in five deaths at the Capitol and exposed members of Congress to COVID-19. We are thankful that our elected officials were not injured and commend the service of guards and staff who protected them at great risk to themselves.

We denounce the actions of those who continue to baselessly object to the election results, claiming without evidence that the results were fraudulent for their own political gain, which threatens to further inflame violent actions by their followers.

As archivists and historians, we are well aware that the events that unfolded on January 6th are not without precedent; archives of the United States bear witness to many instances of violence perpetrated by those with white supremacist views seeking to wield political power. Indeed, the contested election of 1876, which some lawmakers disingenuously cited as grounds for objecting to the certification of electors of key states, is notorious for having brought about the end of Reconstruction, paving the way for Jim Crow laws and violence against Black citizens of the American South. The stakes of bowing to violent actors and those who would subvert the public will through disenfranchisement cannot be overstated.

One of the core values that archivists bring to democratic society is the preservation of documentary evidence in order to hold our leaders and institutions accountable for their actions. We safeguard the authenticity of historical documents from vandalism and manipulation, and strive to support transparency in our institutions by making archives broadly accessible to the public. Yet, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has suffered years of underfunding and closures of regional branches, making records inaccessible to numerous constituencies throughout the country. NARA staff have also been targets of political retribution for attempting to gather presidential records that the previous administration sought to destroy. Actions taken to limit access to historical documents are occurring against a backdrop of increasingly widespread misinformation and distortions of our nation’s past and present, further hindering the public’s ability to discern fact from fiction.

In the weeks and months ahead, as we reckon as a nation with the events of January 6th and their consequences, it is critical that the new administration take steps to support the National Archives and Records Administration and the work of local archivists throughout the country. Archives are vital to our collective understanding of past and present violence, and to restoring confidence in our democratic institutions.

As an organization representing a diversity of cultural and governmental institutions, collections, and archivists in the New York metropolitan area, ART affirms our commitment to upholding democratic values towards the promise of a more just and free society.

ART submits comments regarding United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Fee Increases, Docket No. USCIS-2019-0010

Mon, 30 Dec 2019 15:45:37 GMT

On December 30, 2019 ART submitted comments in opposition of the proposed changes to the fees for accessing the historic public records of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). The changes outlined in the agency’s proposed rule under Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Docket No. USCIS-2019-0010 sought to significantly increase the fee for the agency to search the Master Index of the Genealogy Program from $65 to $240 (increase of 269%) and increase the fee to get reproductions of records from $65 to $385 (increase of 492%). ART opposes these exorbitant fees increases, just two among many fees increases proposed by the USCIS, and also urges the USCIS to transfer its historic records to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), where the records would be managed more efficiently, accessed more freely, and reproduced more economically. ART_statement_USCIS_fees_increase_20191230.docx

ART joins effort to get Thomson Reuters (owners of Westlaw) and RELX (owners of Lexis-Nexis) to cancel their contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 16:07:26 GMT

In November 2019 ART signed on to a letter urging Thomson Reuters (owners of Westlaw) and RELX (owners of Lexis-Nexis) to cancel their contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In this effort, part of a larger campaign to get tech and data companies to stop doing business with ICE, ART joined a group of community organizations, law professors, law students, librarians, and practicing attorneys.

ART submits letter to Yale University regarding its decision to cease providing funding for the Native Northeast Research Collaborative

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 15:33:57 GMT

On November 19, 2019 ART submitted a letter to Yale University regarding its decision to cease providing funding to the Native Northeast Research Collaborative. The Native Northeast Research Collaborative has been a part of the Yale community since 2003, beginning as a scholarly editing project initiated by the chairs of the History Department and the American Studies Program. In its sixteen years of existence, it has achieved much, from making thousands of primary source documents available through its Portal, to its intensive work with the content management system Mukurtu, created by and with indigenous communities to manage their digital cultural heritage, to its creative and wide-ranging educational outreach initiatives and its Native Partners and Native Internship Programs. ART_letter_Yale_NNRC_20191118.docx

ART submits comments on the revised, proposed records retention schedule of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Detainee Records

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 14:10:41 GMT

On August 5, 2019 ART submitted comments on the revised, proposed records retention schedule of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Detainee Records DAA-0567-2015-0013. This was the third submission of comments from ART (previously in 2017 and 2018) regarding the records retention schedule of ICE Detainee Records. ART_ICE_rrs_comments_20190805.pdf

DHS and CBP respond to coalition letter

Fri, 17 May 2019 20:48:15 GMT

On May 1, ART signed a coalition letter (issued by the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT)) to United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) urging the agencies to cease targeting activists, journalists, and lawyers based on their First Amendment-protected speech and associational activities near the Mexico–United States border. This surveillance violates the Privacy Act of 1974, which states that a government agency cannot create records of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents’ First Amendment activities when they are not pertinent to and within the scope of its authorized law enforcement activity. Both agencies responded with individual letters--DHS issued a standard reply, while CBP confirmed suspicion of activists as a means to justify increased surveillance, in its own letter.

ART joins coalition of over 100 organizations urging DHS cease targeting of activists, journalists, and lawyers

Wed, 01 May 2019 14:50:48 GMT

Today, ART joined a coalition of over 100 organizations in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urging it to cease any targeting of activists, journalists, and lawyers based on their First Amendment-protected speech and associational activities. The coalition urges DHS to address alarming reports of surveillance activity by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that jeopardizes First Amendment rights and access to legal counsel, and may violate the Privacy Act of 1974, which states that a government agency cannot create records of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents’ First Amendment activities when they are not pertinent to and within the scope of its authorized law enforcement activity.

ART Statement on DOI Request for Records Disposition Authority

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 19:15:45 GMT

ART has issued a statement opposing the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Request for Records Disposition Authority (DAA-0048-2015-0003) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records appraisal, which identify for destruction (going back 50 years as well as date forward) records from every agency within the DOI, including the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and others. These records touch on a range of subjects including oil and gas leases, mining, dams, wells,timber sales, marine conservation, fishing, endangered species, non-endangered species, critical habitats, and land acquisition.

We urge NARA to gather public input, including the input of specialists in these fields, about the long-term importance of these records, and we ask them to consider other methods of retention, such as keeping the records in an electronic format.

In addition, we strongly recommend that NARA deny the proposed change of “disposition authority” from individual bureaus to the office of the Secretary of Interior, a cabinet-level political appointee, which could overly politicize records retention across the entire agency going forward.

Read the full statement here.

ART Statement on the New York City Charter Revision

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 15:41:34 GMT

ART has issued a statement to the New York City (NYC) Charter Revision Commission affirming our hope that the 2019 Charter mandates the Commissioners and heads of the NYC Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) be trained archivists, librarians, and/or records managers, holding the degrees of MLIS and/or MA in Archives and Records Management. As archivists, librarians, records managers, and related information professionals, we are required to hold graduate-level degrees, and we strongly believe that the heads of DORIS need to have this level of education to be able to effectively carry out their duties. The Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner should also be professional archivists, librarians, or records managers holding the education and experience defined in the City Charter, and not political appointees. Read the full letter here.

NARA will require ICE to make changes to retention schedules

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 15:44:33 GMT

Last October, ART wrote a letter to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) opposing the destruction of 11 types of records relating to abuses of detained individuals in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, including documentation of deaths and sexual assaults.

The Library Journal mentioned these efforts in a recent article describing the overwhelming opposition to the proposed retention schedule, as well as NARA's plans to open a 15-day public comments period on the revised ICE retention schedule via the Federal Register.

ART signs letter opposing BJS collection of citizenship data

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 20:34:46 GMT

ART has joined 24 other organizations in opposing the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) proposal to collect citizenship and country of birth information about state and local prisoners, a data collection project of dubious efficacy and accuracy.

Read the full letter here.

AOTUS responds to ICE records retention schedule scrutiny

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 15:57:32 GMT

Archivist of the United States, David S. Ferriero, provided an update on the AOTUS Blog about the the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) work to review and revise Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) records retention schedules relating to deaths and sexual assaults of detainees in government custody.

Ferriero states that, "As part of the regular process of reviewing the submission from ICE, NARA received an unprecedented number of comments. Comments under review by NARA include three congressional letters with a total of 36 signatures (29 house members, 7 senators); a petition from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) with 23,758 comments, a petition from UltraViolet with 1,475 signatures; written comments from 187 individuals and six organizations; and phone calls from seven individuals."

ICE previously requested imminent destruction of records of deaths and sexual assaults of detainees, which the Roundtable publicly opposed in its ART Statement on ICE Retention Schedules.

Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) response to coalition letter

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 19:58:16 GMT

On June 22, 2018, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Daniel Coats, responded to the coalition letter ART signed on May 31, 2018, regarding ODNI failure to report information as required by the USA FREEDOM Act for it's call records program that replaced the bulk collection program outlawed by the same legislation. Read the response here.

ART signs coalition letters to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Department of State

Thu, 31 May 2018 17:07:06 GMT

ART has signed pair of letters spearheaded by the ACLU regarding ODNI failure to report information as required by the USA FREEDOM Act for it's call records program that replaced the bulk collection program outlawed by the same legislation (a bulk collection program developed to target immigrants). This letter highlights potential unlawful surveillance and collection of data of persons in the U.S., as well as failures of transparency on the part of the government in disclosing the extent of surveillance and data gathering mechanisms. Read the letter to the Director of the ODNI here, and the letter to the House Judiciary Committee here.

ART has also signed a letter issued by the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), highlighting the Department of State proposal to ask visa applicants to provide social media identifiers, telephone numbers, and email addresses used in the past five years, among other information. This is yet another form of data gathering by the US Government that will undermine civil liberties and free speech, and an issue which we've pushed back on previously, in our official statement on the DHS/ICE Visa Lifecycle Vetting initiative. Read the full letter here.

ICE abandons its ‘extreme vetting’ software

Thu, 17 May 2018 19:14:06 GMT

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has abandoned the software component of its “Extreme Vetting Initiative,” also named the "Visa Lifecycle Vetting" initiative, which aimed to automatically mine Facebook, Twitter, and the broader Internet to determine whether visitors to the U.S. would "contribute to American society", further national interests, or intend to commit crimes or terrorist acts, language lifted directly from President Trump’s Muslim Ban of January 2017.

ICE has eliminated the machine-learning requirement from its vetting initiative, opting to hire a contractor that can provide human personnel to execute the job. While this represents a victory for government transparency and accountability activism, a vetting plan (with human personnel) is still moving froward, with a contract expected to cost more than $100 million, to be awarded by the end of the year.

Read the Washington Post article breaking the news, as well as the ART Advocacy Committee’s initial coalition letter with the Concerned Archivists Alliance (CAA) opposing the Extreme Vetting Initiative.

(Video) Investing in Archivists: Advocating as a Lone Arranger

Fri, 04 May 2018 20:46:10 GMT

This past February, the ART Advocacy Committee organized Investing in Archivists: Advocating as a Lone Arranger, hosted by the New York Municipal Archives. The Advocacy Committee is pleased to finally publish the video recording of the event.

Investing In Archivists: Advocating as a Lone Arranger

Panelists:

Yue Ma, Director for Collections and Research, Museum of Chinese in America

Yue Ma, Director for Collections and Research at MOCA, manages the museum collections, library, and archives at 70 Mulberry Street. Yue oversees daily acquisition, preservation, digitization, research, and online projects. In addition, she assisted with the permanent exhibition “With a Single Step,” and co-curated the exhibition “Waves of Identity: 35 Years of Archiving.” Prior to MOCA, Yue worked at the Shenzhen City Archives in China. Educated globally, she received a B.Sc. and a MBA in China, and then received a MA in Photographic Preservation and Collections Management from a joint program at Ryerson University in Canada and George Eastman House in America.

Elena Rossi-Snook, New York Public Library Reserve Film and Video Collection

Elena Rossi-Snook is the Collection Manager for the Reserve Film and Video Collection of The New York Public Library. She has an M.A. in Film Archiving from the University of East Anglia and was the 2002 recipient of the Kodak Fellowship in Film Preservation. She has served as a curriculum consultant for the NYU Moving Image Archiving and Preservation MA program, on the Board of Directors of the Association of Moving Image Archivists and is the chair of the AMIA Film Advocacy Task Force. Elena’s documentary film WE GOT THE PICTURE was made an official selection of the 2005 Tribeca Film Festival. Rossi-Snook teaches film history at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Julianna Monjeau, Archivist, Public Design Commission of the City of New York

Julianna Monjeau is the Archivist and Records Manager of the Public Design Commission. She holds a Master’s Degree in Archives & Public History from New York University. She manages the accession and preservation of all public records reviewed by the Public Design Commission, prepares and manages archival grants, provides research services, manages the digitization of Design Commission records, provides public tours of the archive, and promotes the collection on the agency's social media platforms.

Moderated By:

Michael Andrec, PhD CA, Archivist, Ukrainian History and Education Center

Michael Andrec has been the archivist at the Ukrainian History and Education Center since 2010. Michael has been tasked with single-handedly bringing the nearly 200 collections containing documents, photographs, ephemera, and recorded sound that the Center had accumulated since the 1960s up to professional standards of arrangement, description, preservation, and accessibility, while at the same time providing reference services, outreach, and web site/social media content. Outside of the archives, Michael is a consultant in statistics and data analytics, programming, and web design and development. He is a member of the Academy of Certified Archivists and other national, regional, and local archival associations, and has served on the board of A.R.T.

New York City Municipal Archives, Room 111 (Municipal Archives and Municipal Library Reading Room), 31 Chambers St, New York, NY 10007

Date of video: 2-22-2018

Format of original video: Digitally captured on an iPhone 8

ART Joins Over 300 Civil Rights, Faith, Advocacy, and Labor Leaders to Demand Oversight On Census Citizenship Question

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 18:04:53 GMT

ART has joined over 300 organizations in singing Census Stakeholder letters to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR) & Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), calling upon them to promptly hold oversight hearings with regards to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’s decision to include a citizenship question on the 2020 decennial census.

Read the House OGR letter here

Read the Senate HSGAC letter here

ART and CAA Joint Letter to Congress Opposing DHS Visa Lifecycle Vetting

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 21:20:50 GMT

The Archivists Roundtable of Metropolitan New York (ART) and the Concerned Archivists Alliance (CAA) issued a letter to over 150 congressional staffers opposing the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) proposed Visa Lifecycle Vetting program, under the activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Visa Lifecycle Vetting Program aims to use social media monitoring to automatically flag 10,000 people annually—inside the country and abroad—for deportation investigations and visa denial. Formerly known as the “Extreme Vetting Initiative,” the Visa Lifecycle Vetting plan represents ICE efforts to monitor Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the rest of internet to automatically identify people for deportation or visa denial based on the exact criteria from the Executive Order 13769 (widely known as the “Muslim ban”).

This plan demonstrates, at best, an incredibly flawed data mining initiative, and at worst, a repressive mode of government surveillance under the guise of efficiency and objectivity. The Visa Lifecycle Vetting initiative will undermine civil liberties and free speech, the cornerstones of our democracy.

Read the full letter here

ART Signs on to Letter Regarding Recent DHS System of Records Notice

Fri, 27 Oct 2017 15:05:39 GMT

ART has signed on to a letter, written by the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), to Acting Privacy Chief Officer Jonathan Cantor expressing “concerns with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) System of Records Notice…stating that DHS will now store social media information in ‘Alien Files’ (A-Files), which include the official record of an individual’s visa and immigration history.” This "raises concerns that the collection, retention, use, and sharing of social media information will (1) invade the privacy of immigrants and U.S. citizens alike; (2) chill freedom of speech and association; (3) invite abuse in exchange for little security benefit; and (4) establish a system that treats naturalized citizens as second-class citizens."

Read the letter in full here

ART Statement on ICE Retention Schedules

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 14:09:15 GMT

The Archivists Roundtable of Metropolitan New York (ART) urges the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to reconsider the records retention schedule preliminarily approved on June 20, 2017 (Appendix 1), relating to the disposition of detainee records generated by the officials of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of Professional Responsibility. ART has represented a diverse group of more than 400 archivists, librarians, and records managers in the New York metropolitan area since its inception in 1979, and is collectively alarmed by the implications of this ICE records appraisal.

ICE is seeking approval from NARA to routinely destroy 11 types of records relating to abuses of detained individuals in ICE custody, including documentation of deaths and sexual assaults in ICE custody, uses of solitary confinement, alternatives to detention programs, communications from the public reporting detention abuses, and logs about detainees, among other records. The various timelines for the destruction of these records—from 20 years for sexual assault and death records, to 3 years for reports of use of solitary confinement—fail to adhere to archival and records management best practices, and present ethical red flags for information professionals and the general public. Our concerns derive from professional and ethical standpoints:

Archives and Records Management Perspective: What Value Do The Records Possess?

Historical Value

ICE is a relatively new federal agency with significant activities under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security data recently collected by New York University researchers reported that between ICE’s inception in 2003, and 2015, 150 individuals died in the agency’s custody. Furthermore, the immigration detainee watchdog group, Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC), highlighted 14,693 reported incidents of sexual and physical abuse in ICE detention centers from 2010 to 2016, with just about 1 percent of these reports actually resulting in investigations. Deciding wholesale that 0% of records of abuses of ICE detainees deem worthy of permanent retention leaves no room for reassessment in the historical narrative, hamstringing future research with a glaring gap in the documentary record.

Further, the “annual reports” mentioned in NARA’s “Appraisal Justification,” which amount to yearly summaries of abuse incidents or allegations, privilege top-down documentation of serious abuses of power by the government, and shroud the activities of ICE in secrecy, notably at a time when ICE is increasing its presence and authority. These executive reports are no replacement for the complete documentation generated by ICE officials, especially at a time of unprecedented immigration enforcement.

This prioritization of top-down documentation also begs the question: Whose history is worth preserving? The executive summaries from ICE managers relating to (generalizing about) abuses in ICE custody will function as the “official” account—the public will thus rely on these synopses, as opposed to more nuanced documentary evidence from the ground (i.e. internal investigation documents scheduled for imminent destruction).

Finally, a pillar of records management, that, “not everything can be saved,” fails to hold up. If the “Death and Sexual Abuse and Assault Files” are growing so exponentially, one might conclude that abuses of ICE detainees is a serious problem requiring administrative remedy and retrospective deliberation. This would be a strong argument against destroying such records—there are potentially many lessons to be learned from the documents, and the agency should invite scrutiny. If the file is not actually growing so much (i.e. if deaths and sexual assaults in ICE custody just aren’t commonplace), then, again, the “can’t keep everything” argument is fraudulent.

Administrative Value

Why does ICE maintain records of abuse in the first place? Presumably, ICE keeps these records to document the circumstances surrounding deaths or sexual assaults in its custody, and to use this information to improve their practices. These are the records’ primary use. The records also function to hold the agency accountable for the documented abuses. Theoretically, this allows the public to access documentation of agency activities, and take action to advocate for change. These are the records’ secondary use. While ART hopes ICE is taking the necessary steps to fix detention practices, the proposed retention schedule diminishes the ability of the public to assess information about ICE practices, and thus hold its government accountable.

Moreover, as records professionals, ART finds the appraisal language related to “Detainee Sexual Assault Abuse and Assault Files” particularly problematic. NARA’s “Appraisal Justification” claims these records do “not document significant actions of Federal officials.” To be clear, these records document the deaths and sexual assaults of detainees while in federal immigration custody. ART finds the assertion that federal agents have no significant actions in the fate of those in their custody at best a glaring oversight, and at worst, a severe obstruction to transparency and government accountability.

Legal Value

Preserving records of ICE abuses serves legal ends too. The documents could be used in lawsuits for or against ICE agents, and could either exonerate or incriminate the alleged offender(s). Destroying records relating to inmate abuse, whether after 3 years or 20, hampers the ability to legally defend or charge the accused, and shackles wrongly detained individuals seeking legal redress. For example, former detainees seeking to rectify unlawful use of solitary confinement while in ICE custody might find no record of such abuses (i.e. the records’ 3-year lifespan could very likely end before the statute of limitations for seeking legal redress). Beyond circumventing public accountability and government transparency, the destruction of this body of records flouts the constitutional rights of those in ICE custody, as well as those of ICE officials.

Government Accountability and Citizen’s Rights Perspective

Public records evidence the activities of our collective democracy, and provide documentary evidence of government, in service of its constituents. The decision to destroy ICE detention records will severely handicap access to this body of public records, thereby undermining government transparency and public accountability. This is especially alarming, considering that these records document the abuses of human subjects in the custody of a government agency (ICE). As concerned records professionals, we implore NARA to reconsider what could very well be a disastrous mistake for records management, for the historical record, and for government accountability and transparency.

Read full letter with appendix

Sincerely,
ART Board of Directors

NEA-ART Spring 2018 Joint Meeting Scholarship Announcement

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 13:29:34 GMT

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) is offering three scholarships, each in the amount of $175, to help students, archivists, librarians, and others with archives or records management responsibilities attend the NEA/A.R.T Spring Meeting in New Haven, Connecticut on March 22-24, 2018, with the theme “Rise Up” focusing on concepts of archival advocacy.

Please see the announcement for more information about scholarship eligibility, application requirements, scholarship selection, and fund distribution. All application materials must be received by 5 p.m. on November 1, 2017.

International Archives Day 2017

Sat, 10 Jun 2017 14:46:58 GMT

Last night the Advocacy Committee's event "Endangered Archives" took place at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Douglas Cox, Professor and International Law Librarian at CUNY School of Law, gave a wonderful talk on archives, archivists, and international conflict. To see more from Mr. Cox check out his article in The American Archivist entitled, "National Archives and International Conflicts: The Society of American Archivists and War."

Endangered Archives was an event in honor of International Archives Day. The International Council on Archives mapped events from all over the world to mark the significance of this very important day.

H.R.1695 - Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017

Thu, 25 May 2017 13:59:16 GMT

Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017 was passed by the House on April 26, 2017.

The bill amends federal copyright law, which will limit the authority of the Librarian of Congress. To date, the Librarian has been solely responsible for selecting the Register of Copyrights. The bill will open up the process to Congressional leadership to recommend candidates, who are then nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Visit Congress.gov for further information about this bill.

ART Statement on the Current Political Statement

Sun, 07 May 2017 22:21:43 GMT

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) is comprised of individuals who recognize the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion both in our profession and in our communities. We believe regardless of our various social and political opinions, we can come together, democratically, as an inclusive and informed citizenry ensuring a core value that rejects any acts of hate, discrimination, and intimidation.

ART strongly opposes any opposes any executive orders, regulations, bills and legislation that limits access to information, undermines preservation of government records, compromises privacy rights and confidentiality, and discriminates or persecutes individuals or groups.

It is the mission of ART to be a unifying voice and to report on local, state, national, and international issues that impact archives and archivists. We will continue to stay informed of relevant policies and legislation, and to provide resources and knowledge that can be used to strengthen the archival community, its repositories, and the public at large.

Sincerely,

The Board of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

(Sent to ART membership on April 11, 2017)

Statement on the Proposed Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2018

Sun, 07 May 2017 22:14:33 GMT

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. strongly opposes the Fiscal Year 2018 budget proposed by the Trump Administration. The proposed budget eliminates funding for National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and National Heritage Areas program at the National Park Service. Elimination of these agencies and programs would greatly undercut the work of archivists and places preservation and access of records in peril.

Please see the links below for information and ways to contact your elected representatives.

American Historical Association (AHA) Action Alert

Information about the proposed cuts & suggestions for contacting your representatives

National Humanities Alliance

Information about the proposed cuts, a form for sending a message

to your elected representatives, and an opportunity to sign up to receive updates.

Sincerely,

The Board of Directors

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

(Sent to the A.R.T. membership on March 30, 2017)

Latest News Concerning the FY 2017 Budget

Fri, 05 May 2017 15:24:42 GMT

Congress has reached a bipartisan agreement to continue to fund NEH, NEA, and IMLS through the remainder of 2017. This is great news, our voices we heard! However, there is still much uncertainty surrounding the FY 2018 budget. We should continue to take action to prevent any future cuts to funding.

For more information please read the National Humanities Alliance's statement.

Call to Action!

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 02:43:13 GMT

ART is calling upon all members to help save these programs by reaching out to your representatives today!

For more information about this action and previous actions, click here.

POLICE-WORN BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE: A PUBLIC RECORD?

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 23:05:43 GMT

Check out Rachel Mattson's piece Police-Worn Body Camera Footage: A Public Record? on the Issues & Advocacy Section (I&A) of the Society of American Archivists (SAA) Archivists on the Issues blog.

A.R.T. has also weighed in on this issue, our advocacy action on the subject can be found here.

SAA Statement on Executive Order Restricting Entry into the United States by Individuals from Seven Muslim-Majority Countries

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:34:54 GMT

Yesterday, Nancy Beaumont released the SAA Council’s statement concerning the recent executive order restricting entry in the United States.

"January 31, 2017—The Society of American Archivists strongly opposes the discriminatory executive order, issued by the Trump Administration on Friday, January 27, 2017, that restricts entry into the United States by individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen). “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States" directly affects members of our community with whom we work and serve, including archival colleagues, students, faculty, researchers, donors, and their families."

Read the full statement here.

Help to Nip Efforts to Defund NEH in the Bud

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 21:06:06 GMT

Posted by National Humanities Alliance on January 19, 2017 at 2:10 PM

News broke this morning that the in-coming Trump Administration has a budget blueprint that proposes the elimination of NEH, along with other cultural agencies, and a major downsizing of others.

This news has elicited great concern from the humanities community, and it is undoubtedly time to rally support for the National Endowment for the Humanities.

That said, this blueprint is not an official proposal. The Trump Administration will be shaping its budget request over the coming months with broad input and we look forward to an opportunity to demonstrate the value of federal funding for NEH.

We are also heartened by Republican support in Congress, which has been strong over the past few years. Indeed, Republican-controlled appropriations committees have supported increases for both NEA and NEH for the past two fiscal years. More broadly, many Republicans have opposed far more minor cuts to the agency.

Consistently, Members of Congress have been compelled by advocacy that points out that:

Through a rigorous peer-review process, NEH funds cutting-edge research, museum exhibits that reach all parts of the country, and cultural preservation of local heritage that would otherwise be lost.
NEH’s Standing Together initiative funds reading groups for veterans that help them process their experiences through discussions on the literature of war; writing programs for veterans suffering from PTSD; and training for Veterans Affairs staff to help them better serve veterans.
NEH grants catalyze private investment. Small organizations leverage NEH grants to attract additional private, local support. NEH’s Challenge Grant program has leveraged federal funds at a 3:1 ratio to enable organizations to raise more than $3 billion in private support. State Humanities Councils, meanwhile, leverage $5 for every dollar of federal investment. Grants through the Public Programs division have leveraged more than $16 billion in non-federal support, an 8:1 ratio.

We ask you now to send a message to your Members of Congress and the President-Elect to make clear that you, as a constituent, value the humanities.

Going Forward

Going forward, we will call on you again as the Congressional appropriations process for FY 2018 begins.

We also encourage you to join us for our Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day on March 13th and 14th. Our goal is for constituents to visit Members of Congress from all 50 states to ensure that Congress serves as a stopgap to any efforts to defund NEH.

Finally, we encourage you to spread word on social media. The more advocates receiving our alerts, the stronger our collective impact!

"Investing in Archivists" Panel Discussion

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 19:51:26 GMT

Investing in Archivists Panel Discussion - February 15th at 6:30 PM

Please join us for a wonderful evening of discourse, where we will address the significant financial challenges and opportunities facing archivists today. The panelists will discuss the various ways in which they have been successful in securing funding for professional development, hiring, promotions, and advocating for salary increase for the professional staff at their respective repositories.

The event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!

Panelists:
Bob Clark, Director of Archives, Rockefeller Archive Center

Julie I. May, Managing Director of Library & Archives, Brooklyn Historical Society

Kathleen Leary, Education Coordinator, Jerome Robbins Dance Division

Moderated by:
Steven G. Fullwood, Associate Curator, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division and Manager of the BNY Mellon Pre-Professional Development Program, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Refreshments will be served!

Location:

Center for Jewish History

15 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011

Kovno Room, 2^nd Floor

2017 J. Franklin Archival Advocacy Award

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 19:05:01 GMT

The Society of American Archivists is currently seeking nominations for the 2017 J. Franklin Archival Advocacy Award. See details below.

Established in 1989, this award honors an individual, institution, or organization that promotes greater public awareness, appreciation, or support of archival activities or programs. The individual's or institution's contributions may take the form of advocacy, publicity, legislation, financial support, or a similar action that fosters archival work or raises public consciousness of the importance of archival work. Contributions should have broad, long-term impact at the regional level or beyond. Up to three awards may be given each year.

Recent Winners:

2016: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ron Chernow

2015: Adrena Ifill Blagburn

2014: LGBT Center of Central PA History Project National History Day

2013: Dr. Warren Stewart

2012: Eve Kahn, Bebe Miller, Phillip Stewart

2011: “Who Do You Think You Are?” (NBC)

2010: The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation

2009: Ross King (Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board)

2008: Data-Intensive Cyber Environments (DICE)

Eligibility: Nominees must be from outside the archives profession. Individuals directly involved in archival work, either as paid or volunteer staff, or institutions or organizations directly responsible for an archival program are not eligible for this award.

Mailed materials must be postmarked by February 28, 2017 and should be sent to:

J. Franklin Jameson Archival Advocacy Award Committee
Society of American Archivists
17 North State Street, Suite 1425
Chicago, IL 60602-4061

Nominations may be submitted electronically; please see the nomination form for details. For more information on SAA awards and the nominations process, please go to: http://www.archivists.org/recognition/index.asp

Documentary Heritage Program Grant Application deadline is Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Sat, 19 Nov 2016 17:42:01 GMT

Fantastic funding opportunity offered by the Documentary Heritage Program (DHP)! They have a grant program for institutions that hold, collect, and make available New York's historical records.

For more information visit DHP's Grants & Awards page.

New York Archives Conference - 2017

Sat, 19 Nov 2016 14:40:37 GMT

Session proposals for the 2017 New York Archives Conference are due by December 5, 2016.

For more information visit NYAC.

Awards Ceremony Journal

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 18:09:29 GMT

Please view our Awards Ceremony Journal here.

Apply now for DHPSNY's free planning and assessment services!

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 22:24:30 GMT

It's not too late to apply for free planning and assessment services provided by Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY). New York based institutions that are interested, have until Friday, October 14, 2016 to submit their applications.

DHPSNY is offering free services in three main areas: archival needs assessments, preservation and conservation surveys, and strategic planning assistance.

Contact DHPSNY Program Coordinator Anastasia Matijkiw for assistance, questions about eligibility, or additional information at (215) 545-0613 or amatijkiw@dhpsny.org

New York Archives Week Events

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 20:32:15 GMT

Please see the Archivists Round Table calendar for all events during New York Archives Week, October 19-27.

Electronic Records Day 2016

Sun, 02 Oct 2016 19:05:48 GMT

Whether we think about them or not electronic records have become an intrinsic part of our lives. Managing these records presents a critical challenge for all of us, whether we are records managers, archivists or just records users. To bring greater awareness to this issue The Council of State Archivists will once again sponsor Electronic Records Day on October 10, 2016 during the annual celebration of American Archives Month. We encourage you to make use of this opportunity to reach out to your colleagues and constituents to raise awareness of the opportunities and issues relating to electronic information, what they can do, and how you can help them.

Now is the time to start planning for your Electronic Records Day event, and CoSA has a variety of helpful resources to get you started. Feel free to take any of the information provided and change or adapt it so it is relevant to your organization or group.

Resources can be found at: https://www.statearchivists.org/programs/state-electronic-records-initiative/electronic-records-day/electronic-records-day-promotional-materials/

Comments, questions or suggestions? Contact us at info@statearchivists.org.

NGO Muckrock launched a right to know project

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 18:04:15 GMT

The NGO Muckrock, launched a project recently to help users navigate government records laws. The intent of the project is to capture excuses given by state agencies for denying public records requests. They have already cataloged 22,000 requests, and are employing crowdsourcing to document more.

"Morisy [Muckrock’s cofounder] says the debate surrounding the disclosure of police body camera footage is partially what inspired him to embark on the project."

Go to the Columbia Journal Review to read more.

LOC Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2016

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 00:37:07 GMT

The Library of Congress Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2016 became law July 29, 2016.

Establishment by Congress, both the National Film Preservation Board and Foundation and the National Recording Preservation Board and Foundation have enabled the Library of Congress to provide critical leadership in research of preservation technologies. The programs have provided critical funding to archives and cultural institutions in all 50 states to ensure the survival, conservation and accessibility of America's film and sound heritage. Films and recordings preserved as a result of these programs not only include artistically and culturally significant works, but also materials that document the nation’s scientific and educational heritage as well as recordings of historically significant events.

The reauthorization of the Library of Congress film and sound recording preservation programs through 2026 guarantees their continued impact on the historical and cultural heritage of our country.

For more information: https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2893

Carla Hayden Swearing-In LOC Live Broadcast on YouTube

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:03:54 GMT

The 14^th Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, will be sworn in on September 14th at 12PM EST. The ceremony, which will take place in the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress, will be live-streamed on LOC's YouTube Channel.

To learn more about this historic swearing-in ceremony, checkout the LOC blog post published on September 2nd.

Action Alert: NJ Residents - Oppose Bill S1784

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 13:54:54 GMT

New Jersey Residents—Action Needed

Ask your State Senator to vote against Bill S-1784 and to reunite the Division of Records Management and the New Jersey State Archives!

The following position paper from the Advocates for New Jersey History, fully supported by the League of Historical Societies of New Jersey and the Genealogical Society of New Jersey discusses the background to this bill and the full implications should it pass. We urge you to read it in its entirety and call or email your State Senator. Thank you.

The position paper can be found here: http://gsnj.org/pdf/NJ-Bill-S-1784-%282016%29-Advocates-for-New-Jersey-History-Position-Paper.pdf

Find your State Senator by municipality:

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/municipalities.asp

or by interactive map:

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts/njmap210.html

Action Alert: Confirm Dr. Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 12:30:22 GMT

Take Action! Urge the Senate to Confirm Dr. Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress

President Obama’s nomination of Dr. Carla Hayden to become the 14^th Librarian of Congress is pending before the U.S. Senate and may be voted on at any time. Please contact your senators and urge them to support her confirmation. Dr. Hayden would become the first woman and the first African-American to lead the Library of Congress—and the first librarian to serve in the post in 60 years. Follow this link to the National Humanities Alliance’s legislative alert center, where you can contact your U.S. senators. (Or call your senators through the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.) We encourage you to personalize your message, emphasizing why the Library of Congress is important to your work, your institution, or the archives profession.

FOIA reform bill heads to President's desk

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 12:20:33 GMT

From OpenTheGovernment:

http://www.openthegovernment.org/node/5240

FOIA reform bill heads to President's desk

Yesterday, the House passed the FOIA Improvement Act (S.337), bringing the comprehensive FOIA reform bill one step closer to becoming law in time for FOIA's 50th birthday on July 4. The FOIA Improvement Act passed the Senate by unanimous consent in March and, in a bicameral & bipartisan effort to ensure the FOIA legislation is signed into law during this Congress, House leadership decided to vote on the Senate version, and send the bill to the White House for the President’s signature. The White House has since stated that President Obama intends to sign the bill into law.

OpenTheGovernment.org commends the efforts on the part of Congressional leaders, staff members, and open government advocates who have been working to push the FOIA reform legislation that is critical to ensuring government accountability. The FOIA Improvement Act includes important provisions that OTG and our partners in the open government community have been working for nearly a decade to codify into law, including:

- Codifying the presumption of openness for future administrations;
- Harnessing technology to improve the FOIA process;
- Limiting, to a period of 25 years, the ability of agencies to keep internal deliberations confidential; and
- Increasing the effectiveness of the FOIA by strengthening the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS).

50 Days of FOIA Campaign

Fri, 20 May 2016 15:53:42 GMT

50 Days of FOIA: Countdown to the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act

May 17, 2016 by Jesse Franzblau

On May 15th, a broad coalition of open government and accountability organizations and media outlets are launching a “50 Days of FOIA” campaign — counting down the days to the 50th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) on July 4, 2016. The campaign aims to highlight the importance of the FOIA, while promoting the passage of meaningful reform legislation that now has the potential to become law by the time the statute turns 50 in less than two months.

For nearly 50 years, the FOIA has empowered the public by providing access to information essential for democratic governance and accountability. The law has also been used as a critical tool used to make the public aware of countless acts of waste, fraud, and abuse. With documents obtained under FOIA, countless media outlets, watchdog groups and individuals have broken stories about the withholding of informationabout hazardous drinking water in Flint, Michigan, the IRS’ civil forfeiture program, mistreatment of veteransat the VA medical offices, overdue inspections of the United States’ aging infrastructure, use of immigrant detention centers to hold minors,corporate abuse, and much more.

Please join us in the campaign to celebrate FOIA and help ensure that the nation can celebrate FOIA’s 50th anniversary with a stronger and better statute that enhances the public’s right to know and ability to hold officials accountable.

Each day the campaign will feature FOIA stories or issues that correspond loosely to the categories below. Look for tweets from these groups – and others – using#50DaysOfFOIA:

Week 1: FOIA stories (successes, part I)
May 15-21 OpenTheGovernment.org @OpenTheGov

Week 2: FOIA Tech Advances
May 22-28 MuckRock @MuckRock

Week 3: FOIA Champions
May 29-June 4 American Society of News Editors @NewsEditors

Week 4: FOIA stories (bad/obstructive agency responses)
June 5-11 The National Security Archive @NSArchive

Week 5: FOIA Resources
June 12-18 Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press @RCFP

Week 6: Reform ideas (in the legislation)
June 19-25 Sunlight Foundation @SunFoundation

Week 7: FOIA stories (successes, part II)
June 26-July 2 The Sunshine in Government Initiative @sunshineingov

We invite participants to share these stories widely on social media – and to tweet your own contributions.

To participate in the campaign, follow the #50DaysOfFOIA and #FixFOIAby50hashtags.

http://bordc.org/news/50-days-of-foia-countdown-to-the-50th-anniversary-of-the-freedom-of-information-act/

Open Government at the National Archives: Webinar Session 3/29/16

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 13:20:15 GMT

Webinar: Open Government at the National Archives

Please join us for a webinar with the Archivist of the United States, David Ferriero, and other National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) executives on Tuesday, March 29 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time. We will discuss the agency’s next Open Government Plan and initiatives and seek your suggestions, ideas, and feedback on how we can improve.

Share your suggestions or questions in advance and during the webinar on History Hub, our pilot collaborative platform, or email opengov@nara.gov. You’ll also be able to make suggestions by chat or phone during the webinar, but we’d love to have your contributions on History Hub.

Do you have ideas on how to improve the researcher experience? Do you have suggestions for better ways for NARA to collaborate, encourage public participation, or innovate? Can we provide greater transparency to our records or our processes? Let us know!

Learn more about our efforts by reviewing our previous Open Government Plan.

What: Open Government Plan briefing and listening session, a webinar with David Ferriero and other NARA executives.

When: Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time; you may join 10 minutes prior.

Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/webinar-open-government-at-the-national-archives-registration-23818937082

Webinar Login: http://ems7.intellor.com/login/703482

Dial-in: After you have connected your computer, audio connection instructions will be presented. You will be connected to the conference with the AT&T Connect Web Participant Application - there is no software download or installation required.

If you are unable to connect to the conference by computer, you may listen by telephone only at 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-668-3633 using 0996865# or Find an Alternate Number.

If you need technical assistance, call the AT&T Help Desk at 1-888-796-6118 or 1-847-562-7015.

Agenda:

· Introduction - David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States

· Open Government Plan Process - Pamela Wright, Chief Innovation Officer

· Innovation - Pamela Wright, Chief Innovation Officer

· Research Services - Ann Cummings, Access Coordinator

· Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) - Gary M. Stern, General Counsel and Chief FOIA Officer

· Declassification - Sheryl Shenberger, Director of the National Declassification Center

· Records Management - Laurence Brewer, Acting Chief Records Officer for the U.S. Government, and Director, Records Management Operations Program

Ideas, Comments, and Suggestions - Participants of the webinar are asked to share their thoughts on what NARA should do to strengthen open government.

Announcing a New SAA Blog: ArchivesAWARE!

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 13:13:03 GMT

Announcing a New Blog: ArchivesAWARE!

What is an archives? What does an archivist do? Why is the work important? Can you answer these questions? Can your employer answer these questions? What about your family and friends, or the person you strike up a conversation with in the elevator?

Archivists often commiserate with one another about how what we do is under-appreciated. We frequently complain that we are figuratively, and often literally, tucked away in the basement. Many archivists have worked hard to change that perception, making the case for how archivists change, enrich, and save lives, but there is so much more work to do to raise awareness about our profession. We know how important our work is, but that will never be enough.

ArchivesAWARE! is an online space where professionals and students engaged in all aspects of archival work can share their experiences of and ideas for raising public awareness of archives and the value that archives and archivists add to business, government, education, and society as a whole.The blog is hosted by SAA and managed by its Committee on Public Awareness (COPA).

David Carmicheal, COPA’s chair and Pennsylvania’s State Archivist, outlines the goals of the blog in its initial post, giving the following suggestions for how you can help make this blog a success.

Read this blog. Want to learn how to better express the importance of archives to colleagues, friends, or even strangers? Want to learn tips and techniques to help you make the case for archives to your boss or your board? Can’t quite get the hang of that elevator speech? Keep your eye on this site. You should find plenty of good advice here.

Write for this blog. Had a great outreach success or an advocacy disaster? Share it here. We’ll all learn from each others’ triumphs and failures. Care to talk about upcoming events related to outreach, advocacy, or awareness? This is your place.

Share this blog. Do you have friends or colleagues who might like to read this blog or write for it? Maybe even some non-archivists who have experience or expertise in public relations or outreach? Share the link!

Want to join the conversation on ArchivesAWARE? The editors are always looking for additional content! Read more about the submission process on the About page, and contact the editors at archivesaware@archivists.org.

NYPL Funding - Take Action

Fri, 22 Jan 2016 14:03:35 GMT

Right now Mayor de Blasio is putting together his preliminary budget. This is our moment to make sure he remembers how important libraries are.

Last year, thanks in part to people like you speaking out, City leaders invested in New Yorkers by investing in libraries, which means NYC’s 217 libraries now offer 6-day service, have hired over 100 new librarians, and are able to provide new programs and books. Here at NYPL, we now have 7 branches that stay open 7 days a week, and our librarians have added story time for our earliest learners, after-school programs, and English language and digital classes for adults.

We're so grateful that City leaders were there for us, and now we must make sure they build on that success.

Click here to tell Mayor de Blasio that our city mustkeep investing in libraries next year.

After years of budget cuts, Mayor de Blasio and the New York City Council made a historic investment in libraries last summer. They allocated an additional $43 million in City operating funding for New York City’s libraries–restoring two-thirds of what had been cut from the City’s three library systems since 2008.

This was in large part because of the power of your vocal support of libraries. You told our leaders how important libraries were to you, and City leaders listened.

Now, as the budget process starts anew, speaking out again can make sure our City leaders continue to invest in our libraries. As crucial as this funding has been, we still have more demand for our services than we can meet.

Make sure Mayor de Blasio remembers how much New York City loves its libraries. Send him a letter right now.

Documentary Heritage Program Grants

Fri, 15 Jan 2016 02:24:51 GMT

Documentary Heritage Program Grants

The Documentary Heritage Program (DHP) is a statewide program established by law to provide financial support and guidance to not-for-profit organizations that hold, collect and make available New York's historical records. Funding is available to support projects that relate to groups and topics traditionally under-represented in New York’s historical record. The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) 2016-2017 appropriation for DHP includes $92,000 for DHP Grants. DHP Grant Project Types are Documentation and Arrangement & Description. DHP is administered by the New York State Archives, a unit of the New York State Education Department.

For further information about the DHP program, including an explanation of DHP’s Priorities, visit the Documentary Heritage Program (DHP) information page.

2016-2017 DHP Grant Application Guidelines and Forms

Prequalification requirement for all grant applicants

New York State has implemented a new statewide prequalification requirement for not-for-profits applying for grants. In order to be eligible to apply, all grant applicants (including DHP grant applicants) are required to prequalify using the New York State Grants Gateway (link is external). The prequalification registration process requests information about an organization’s capacity, legal compliance, and integrity. This process may take up to a few weeks to complete. Begin the prequalification registration process immediately if you are considering applying for a 2016-2017 DHP Grant.

2016-2017 DHP Grant Application deadline is Tuesday, March 1, 2016.

For full information, see: http://www.archives.nysed.gov/grants/grants_dhp.shtml

Protest the TPP: 11/14-11/18, Washington, DC

Sat, 07 Nov 2015 16:27:29 GMT

#FallRising to Stop TPP, TTIP, & TISA

Join the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) in protest against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA).

The week of events is jointly organized by a huge coalition of diverse organizations and individuals concerned about how these undemocratic, corporate-captured trade deals lead to terrible policies for the public interest.

For more on how to participate see: https://www.eff.org/event/global-week-actions-against-tpp-ttip-tisa

Also check out the full schedule of events.

SAA Opposes Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Provisions

Fri, 02 Oct 2015 13:16:29 GMT

SAA Opposes Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Provisions

Issue Brief: Archivists and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement

This issue brief was drafted by the Society of American Archivists’ Intellectual Property Working Group, was reviewed by the SAA Committee on Advocacy and Public Policy, and was approved by the SAA Council on September 28, 2015.

SAA POSITION

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) opposes secret negotiations conducted without public consultation or debate that affect access to information. SAA opposes the following provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement:

Any further extension of copyright terms.
Lack of recognition of the importance of the public domain.
Imposition of statutory damages.
Extension of anti-circumvention rules without exceptions for fair use and non-infringing uses.
Lack of penalty for the misuse of copyright enforcement powers.

SAA Will:

To the extent possible, monitor the progress of TPP negotiations;
Work with other organizations concerned about the negative impact of the TPP; and
Advocate against TPP provisions that impede or undermine the archival mission.

For the full brief, including background on the issues, see:

http://www2.archivists.org/statements/saa-opposes-trans-pacific-partnership-agreement-provisions

AEI 2015 - Deadline has been extended to October 8, 2015

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 20:07:58 GMT

Join us at this year's Archives Education Institute!

Application forms may be found HERE-- application deadline has been extended to Thursday, October 8, 2015.

SAA on Copyright Office’s Mass Digitization Pilot Program

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 03:09:36 GMT

SAA Comments on Copyright Office’s Mass Digitization Pilot Program

In a September 23 letter to the Register of Copyrights (drafted by the Intellectual Property Working Group), SAA President Dennis Meissner notes that, “For the vast bulk of what is in archives, mostly unpublished or rare materials where copyright claimants do not exist, ECL [extended collective licensing] would be unhelpful, irrelevant, unduly burdensome, and a disservice to the communities that archives serve.”

For the full letter, see: http://www2.archivists.org/news/2015/saa-comments-on-copyright-office’s-mass-digitization-pilot-program?

Stop the TPP's Copyright Trap

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 14:50:25 GMT

Stop the TPP's Copyright Trap

Stop the TPP's Copyright Trap

Officials are now working overtime to finalize the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a secret controversial trade agreement that would trap the U.S. and its partners into excessive copyright term lengths. Speak out now and help us fight back against backroom deals that keep culture and knowledge locked up for decades.

For an update on the closed-door negotiations, see the Electronic Frontier Foundation: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/09/whats-going-tpp-more-closed-door-meetings-new-chief-transparency-officer

To sign a an EFF petition, see: https://act.eff.org/action/stop-the-tpp-s-copyright-trap

Celebrate Electronic Records Day October 10, 2014

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 20:29:08 GMT

The Council on State Archivists is promoting the 3rd annual Electronic Records Day on October 10th as an opportunity to share information about what you are doing to manage your digital resources and to enlist help in preserving electronic records. This day is designed to raise awareness among state government agencies, the general public, related professional organizations, and other stakeholders about the crucial role electronic records play in their world.

For more check out the CoSA website: http://www.statearchivists.org/seri/ElectronicRecordsDay.htm

#AskAnArchivist Day - October 1

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:00:30 GMT

What Is #AskAnArchivist Day?

It’s an opportunity to:

Break down the barriers that make archivists seem inaccessible.
Talk directly to the public—via Twitter—about what you do, why it’s important and, of course, the interesting records with which you work.
Join with archivists around the country and the world to make an impact on the public’s understanding of archives while celebrating American Archives Month!
Interact with users, supporters, and prospective supporters about the value of archives.
Hear directly from the public about what they’re most interested in learning about from archives and archivists.

For more on participating in this event see: http://www2.archivists.org/initiatives/askanarchivist-day-october-1

Archives Change Lives!

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 14:30:46 GMT

Archives Change Lives!

Watch SAA’s new video, which debuted during Plenary 1 of ARCHIVES 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXI5G9ptXxo

SAA’s Criteria for Advocacy Statements

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 13:14:32 GMT

The Society of American Archivists, through its Council or Executive Committee, periodically is asked to take a position, make a statement, or take action on an issue that arises within the larger context of American society. Very recent examples include [the heinous murders of members of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in June 2015 or the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions in support of gay marriage and certain provisions of the Affordable Care Act].

Some SAA members believe that SAA should speak for all archivists on these types of broader social issues. SAA has been compared with the American Library Association and other organizations that choose to issue statements on social issues, whether or not related directly to the missions of those organizations.

Although some – or even most – of SAA’s leaders, members, and staff may hold similar views on social issues and matters of social justice, the organization as a whole does not have the resources or knowledge of a consensus to comment or act on every social issue that emerges. To choose to comment or act on one issue to the exclusion of others would raise concerns about how SAA reaches a decision about when to become involved and when and how the broader membership is consulted (or even polled) about their individual positions on a given social issue.

SAA will take a position, make a statement, or take other action only on issues that are related directly to archives and archival functions. SAA recognizes that social issues and archival concerns may overlap (e.g., in matters of personal privacy, access to public information, or misuse of records for political purposes). In these cases, the SAA Council or Executive Committee will consider the prudence and potential impact of becoming involved in the issue.

Members may recommend that SAA take action on an issue by following Procedures for Suggesting SAA Advocacy Action.

As an organization that values social responsibility, the public good, and the completeness of the public record and that understands the importance of advocacy, SAA encourages its members to engage with social issues to the extent that they, as individuals, are able.

Adopted by the SAA Council, August 2015.

http://archivists.org/statements/saa%E2%80%99s-criteria-for-advocacy-statements

A Transparency Milestone

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 20:44:47 GMT

A Transparency Milestone

The CATO Institute announces the completion of their “Deepbills” project which finished adding computer-readable code to every version of every bill in the 113th Congress.

For more on this project, see the following article: http://www.cato.org/blog/transparency-milestone

Twitter's decision to ban archiving of politicians' deleted tweets is a mistake

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 13:07:45 GMT

Twitter's decision to ban archiving of politicians' deleted tweets is a mistake

Back in 2012, Twitter decided to allow the Sunlight Foundation to collect and curate deleted tweets from lawmakers and people seeking public office in order to hold them accountable by preserving their public statements on the record.

But in June of this year, Twitter shut down the deleted tweet project in the US under the guise of "honoring the expectation of user privacy." Then, this Sunday, Twitter dealt the final blow, killing the Open State Foundation’s effort to archive deleted tweets from public officials in 30 other countries.

For the full article see: http://www.theverge.com/2015/8/24/9198075/twitter-political-transparency-diplowoops-politwoops

De Blasio is reviewing public records requests for all New York City agencies in bid to control information

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 14:10:43 GMT

De Blasio is reviewing public records requests for all New York City agencies in bid to control information

Mayor de Blasio, who promised to run the most transparent administration in New York City history, has taken steps to have his office review any public records request of any city agency that could "reflect directly on the mayor."

That broad mandate, outlined in a May 5 email obtained by The Associated Press, could give de Blasio's office control over virtually all newsworthy Freedom of Information Law requests from journalists, watchdog groups or members of the public.

Although the ramifications of the policy are not clear, transparency advocates fear such control could lead to prolonged delays in responding to records requests, a criticism both President Barack Obama and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo faced when they instituted similar policies.

For the full article, see:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/de-blasio-reviewing-records-requests-nyc-agencies-article-1.2330353

Analysis of August 2015 Leaked TPP Text on Copyright, ISP and General Provisions

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 14:35:56 GMT

Analysis of August 2015 Leaked TPP Text on Copyright, ISP and General Provisions

The United States is currently negotiating a large, regional free trade agreement with eleven other countries: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. On August 5, 2015, Knowledge Ecology International published a new leak of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement’s (TPP) negotiating text for the intellectual property chapter.

For the full post see: http://policynotes.arl.org/?s=tpp

Metropolitan Archivist Summer 2015 Issue Now Available!

Sun, 16 Aug 2015 22:09:53 GMT

Metropolitan Archivist Volume 21, Number 2 is now available.

Metropolitan Archivist Vol. 21, No. 2 (Summer 2015) by Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

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This issue features an introduction to the newly elected board members and more.

Many thanks to the A.R.T. board, all of the contributors, and the Metropolitan Archivist editorial staff:

Managing Editor: Mary Ann Quinn

Features Editor: Rachel Greer

A.R.T. News: Haley Richardson

Interview Section: Ellen Mehling

Feel free to contact me at editor@nycarchivists.org with questions, comments, and submissions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you for your support,

Lindsey Wyckoff

Editor-in-Chief

Congress Set to Head Your Way: Invite Legislators to Visit Your Archives

Sat, 01 Aug 2015 11:51:47 GMT

The following is cribbed from the American Alliance of Museums, but applies equally to archives of any type, shape, or size:

Congress Wraps Up Work, Heads Home

As August approaches, members of Congress are headed home. The House of Representatives has adjourned for five weeks, and the Senate is not far behind. Congress will certainly have its hands full when it returns; deadlines are approaching on issues including highways, children’s welfare, expired tax breaks and funding for federal agencies.

While a deal on federal spending remains elusive, both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees completed work on all 12 of their annual bills—the first time this has been accomplished in six years. Considering the very tight funding constraints within which these bills were written, several accounts important to museums fared quite well:

	Current Funding	House Proposed	Senate Proposed
IMLS Office of Museum Services	$30.1	$30.9	$30.3
National Endowment for the Humanities	$146	$146	$146
National Endowment for the Arts	$146	$146	$146
NSF Advancing Informal STEM Learning	$55	$65	$60
Historic Preservation Fund	$56.4	$60.9	$61.4

(Funding Totals in Millions)

Make Sure Museum Priorities Are Heard; Invite Your Legislators to Visit

Georgia claims that publishing its state laws for free online is 'terrorism'

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 14:06:48 GMT

Government officials have threatened "rogue archivist" Carl Malamud with legal action many times for his efforts to make public government documents widely available for free, but the state of Georgia has set a new standard for fighting this ridiculous battle: It's suing Malamud for infringing its copyright of state laws by -- horrors -- publishing them online.

For more on this story see: http://www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-mh-state-of-georgia-copyright-wall-20150727-column.html

Arizona State Library Genealogy Collection is Threatened

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 13:28:53 GMT

The Secretary of State of Arizona, who oversees the State Library, wants the space now occupied by the genealogy collection for other uses. Under the misguided notion that everything genealogists really need to use is online, the original plan was to simply close the collection. Pushback from the genealogical community has resulted in a plan to move the collection to the State Archives.

The hitch, of course, is that the State Archives doesn’t have room to make this 200,000+-volume collection accessible to the public. If this move goes forward — and it could be as early as this Friday, July 31st — the collection will most likely end up in storage … and ultimately piecemealed out or lost forever.

For more on this developing story, see:

http://legalgenealogist.com/blog/2015/07/27/raising-arizona/

National Humanities Alliance is on Social Media

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 13:11:19 GMT

The National Humanities Alliance (NHA) is an advocacy coalition dedicated to the advancement of humanities education, research, preservation, and public programs – and as such is instrumental in advocating for public funding for the NEH, IMLS, and NHPRC (among others).

Like them on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter.

Spread the word quickly and widely when humanities funding is under attack on Capitol Hill
Keep up on news and opinion pieces that highlight the importance of the humanities
Learn more about the positive effects engaged humanities work is having around the country

Advancing the Humanities for All
http://www.nhalliance.org/

House Committee Action to Eliminate NHPRC

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:14:16 GMT

Tuesday, July 21—SAA learned this morning from the National Coalition for History that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which oversees NARA, will take up a bill tomorrow morning to address the recent data breach at the Office of Personnel Management. Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, who introduced the bill, proposes to offset the costs associated with implementing it by eliminating the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. With markup certain today, we thought it important to notify you of this situation with an understanding that it will be very important to take action – both as individuals and collectively – when this bill comes before the House. We will notify you as soon as we’re aware of that timing. SAA is communicating with the Council of State Archivists and the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators regarding this situation and further action.

WIPO Meeting Continues to Address Copyright Law

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:34:16 GMT

An article by SAA Intellectual Property Working Group member William Maher, who represented the views of American archivists as a permanent observer at the recent meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights.

For the full text see: http://www2.archivists.org/news/2015/wipo-meeting-continues-to-address-copyright-law?

SAA Comments on Orphan Works and Mass Digitization

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:32:05 GMT

In a letter to the U.S. Copyright Office in July, SAA President Kathleen Roe concludes that, “…archival collections are brimming with rich stories and essential information that cannot find their readers because of the long duration of copyright. The failure of Congress to create a workable system for digitization effectively imprisons our shared cultural heritage.” Read the full letter here

http://files.archivists.org/Copyright_Office_OrphanWorks_071015-2.pdf

Joint Statement on “Conducting Public Business in Non-Government Email Accounts”

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:30:04 GMT

SAA issued a Statement on Use of Non-government Email Accounts for the Conduct of Public Business in March 2015. Since then they have worked with the Council of State Archivists and the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators on a joint statement on this important public policy issue. Read the joint statement here.

http://www2.archivists.org/news/2015/joint-statement-on-conducting-public-business-in-non-government-email-accounts-june-2015

NYC Public Libraries Get Largest Funding Increase Ever

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 03:06:43 GMT

Good news since NYPL, BPL, & QPL include some awesome archives and special collections:

NYC Public Libraries Get Largest Funding Increase Ever

http://hyperallergic.com/217213/nyc-public-libraries-get-largest-funding-increase-ever

In a deal on the fiscal year 2016 budget struck late Monday night, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced an extra $39 million for the city’s libraries. The additional funding will allow for a restoration of six-day service at all branches across the city’s three library systems (Brooklyn, New York, and Queens) and create some 500 new jobs, Library Journal reported.

Welcome the 2015-2016 A.R.T. Board!

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 22:27:45 GMT

As first announced at the A.R.T. Annual Business Meeting, we are pleased to announce the newly elected A.R.T. Board members:

Vice President/President Elect - Kerri Anne Burke

Secretary - Rachel Greer

Treasurer - Michael Andrec

Director of the Advocacy Committee - Dennis Riley

Director of the Communications Committee - Laura DeMuro

Director of the Education Committee - Rachel Harrison

Director of the Programming Committee - Alexandra Lederman

The newly elected Board members will be joining the rest of the Board fulfilling their second year of volunteer service:

President - Janet Bunde

Director of the Membership Committee - Tamar Zeffren

Director of the Outreach Committee - Tiffany Nixon

Congratulations to all!

AHA Letter regarding Iowa State Historical Society

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 17:37:18 GMT

Future of Iowa historic records raises national alarm

A Tuesday letter from the Washington, D.C.-based American Historical Association directed to Gov. Terry Branstad and several officials with the Department of Cultural Affairs expresses a “grave concern” about reductions in resources at the state society.

The letter from AHA President Vicki Ruiz and Executive Director James Grossman details the value of historic preservation, but also the repercussions of losing historic state records.

http://thegazette.com/subject/news/government/future-of-iowa-historic-records-raises-national-alarm-20150619

Help Strengthen Open Government

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 16:37:51 GMT

Since the United States joined the Open Government Partnership in 2011, U.S. agencies have been working alongside civil society to develop and implement commitments to increase transparency, improve participation, and curb corruption.

Consistent with the commitment to the Open Government Partnership, later this year the United States plans to publish a third Open Government National Action Plan (NAP) including new and expanded open government initiatives to pursue in the next two years

Please share any NAP suggestions with us via email at opengov@ostp.gov or tweet us at@OpenGov. You can also contribute ideas to a publicly available Hackpad — an open, collaborative platform — that the General Services Administration is helping coordinate.

For full details see:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/06/04/help-us-strengthen-open-government

New Blog Series: Archivists on the Issues

Tue, 19 May 2015 13:28:31 GMT

From SAA's Issues & Advocacy Roundtable, a new initiative to discuss critical issues affecting the archives profession:

We’re not even halfway through 2015 yet, but it appears to be a rather dramatic year for archives. From records management issues in universities to questionable email practices of public officials to laws that appear to be throwbacks to the early twentieth-century, there’s a lot going on that can affect both archives and archivists. With that in mind, the Issues & Advocacy Roundtable is launching a blog series called Archivists on the Issues and are looking for contributors.

Entries should discuss how a particular issue in the news affected or could potentially affect you as an archivist and/or your collections. Unless contributors indicate otherwise, each post will be published anonymously. Institutional information will be limited to broad identifiers, i.e. college/university, government, corporate, etc. Please limit submissions to 500 words. We encourage multiple entries on the same topic, as well as rebuttals, and hope to generate a rich conversation about the issues confronting our profession.

Please send your submissions to archivesissues@gmail.com. We are also happy to receive ideas for posts and provide feedback.

Promote Your Archive: International Archives Day, June 9th

Mon, 18 May 2015 14:07:48 GMT

Join the celebration of International Archives Day 2015 and promote your archive service!

All around the world archivists will unite on 9^th June 2015 to celebrate the significance and achievements of our profession. Send us a copy of a document drawn from your collections which shows the locality served by your archive service; tell us about the image and, if you wish, provide us with a short message and the web address of your archive. The section for local, municipal and territorial archives of the International Council on Archives has prepared a site to display all the images and messages sent to us

To participate, please send a jpeg image (max 800x800 px) of your chosen document, together with a short description of it in your own language by the 30^thMay 2015 to: m.langelaar@rotterdam.nl . If you offered an image in 2014, why not add a second one for 2015 – the website will accommodate a growing number of images over the years to come?

Like our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ICA-Section-Local-Municipal-and-Territorial-Archives/183455228363014. Follow us@ICArchiv #IAD15

We look forward to sharing your treasures with colleagues everywhere in the world.

Happy International Archives Day!

Action Alert: Urge Congress to Support NHPRC Funding (By May 15)!

Tue, 21 Apr 2015 19:49:08 GMT

Action Alert: Urge Congress to Support NHPRC Funding (By May 15)!

Action Needed: Urge the members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government to provide $10 million in funding for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission for federal FY 2016.

The Issue: The President’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016 recommends funding of only $5 million for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). This is a 35% reduction in NHPRC’s budget in just the past five years. With Congress’s current interest in defunding programs entirely, it is imperative that NHPRC be funded at $10 million to ensure a program that can effectively serve the needs of historical records programs in all states.

For more on this see SAA's website:

http://www2.archivists.org/news/2015/action-alert-urge-congress-to-support-nhprc-funding-by-may-15

Arts Education - Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

Wed, 15 Apr 2015 14:05:50 GMT

This is an important week for arts education in the Senate!

The Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee will consider a new bipartisan draft bill to re-authorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), our nation’s education law. Entitled the Every Child Achieves Act of 2015, the draft bill would update ESEA, and the arts community wants the arts to be included and ensured a place in every child’s education.

Your senator serves on the HELP committee and needs to hear from you this week as the committee discusses numerous amendments being introduced to the bill. Urge your senator to protect arts education in ESEA.

An early draft of this bill authored by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) addressed four key points:

Retaining the definition of "core academic subjects" which includes the arts.

Restoring the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program which funds afterschool and summertime learning programs which include the arts.

Restoring the Arts in Education program at the Department of Education which supports grants for educator professional development in the arts and model arts education programs.

Requiring states to give an annual report on student access to arts education.

The new draft being considered this week does retain the definition of core academic subjects including the arts! This is a win: this designation makes arts education programs eligible for federal funding such as Title I. The bill does not, though, include direct support for afterschool or summertime learning programs or the Arts in Education program at the U.S. Department of Education.

Follow the below URL to contact your senator THIS WEEK and tell him or her to support the arts in ESEA. Speak up and share your story of the importance of arts education!

https://secure3.convio.net/paa/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=491

President's Letter to the A.R.T. Membership

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 15:08:35 GMT

The following letter to A.R.T. membership was originally sent via email to all members on April 13, 2015.

A Letter to the A.R.T. Membership

Happy spring!

Thank you to all our members that took the time to complete the 2015 Member Survey form. We were gratified to receive 115 responses!

We discussed the survey results at our last Board meeting. The A.R.T. Board values your thoughtful and constructive feedback, along with suggestions for improvement. Looking towards the future, we are committed to enhancing the value of your A.R.T. membership. As a result of this initiative, we are pleased to announce the following:

Addition of the Director of the Advocacy Committee

Since 2013, this Board position has been merged with the Outreach Committee, with one Director serving both committees. Over the past few years, membership interest in both Advocacy and Outreach has grown steadily. To provide enhanced volunteer opportunities for members and to strengthen the impact of these Committees, the Board structure will expand to include a Director of the Advocacy Committee.

This position is the Advocacy Committee’s voting representative for the A.R.T. Board, serving a two-year term (June 2015 - June 2017). Tiffany Nixon, currently the Director of the Outreach and Advocacy Committees, will continue on as Director of the Outreach Committee through June 2016.

Creation of the Development Committee

Many of the survey responses expressed a desire for A.R.T. to provide more cost-effective, cross-disciplinary programming with additional networking opportunities, as well as exhibition visits and other exciting ideas. To properly support these initiatives, an A.R.T. Development Committee will begin in June 2015.

This committee will be comprised of a non-voting Director, and at minimum 3 committee members. The Director will be appointed by the Board each year in June. There is an option for renewal of up to 3 years, at the Board’s discretion. The Director’s responsibilities will include: generating resources for A.R.T. programs and events; conducting strategic planning for identifying potential funding sources; and actively communicating with the A.R.T. Board on committee actions and activities.

In preparation for the A.R.T. Board elections and end-of-year program, to be held at the Museum of Modern Art on June 15th, we will be adding the Director of the Advocacy Committee position along with the other open positions: Vice-President/President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of the Advocacy Committee, and Director of the Education Committee.

Nomination forms can be accessed here. The deadline for nominations is May 29, 2015. Self-nominations are encouraged! Stay tuned for additional announcements regarding the elections and the end-of-year program.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have.

Regards,

Ryan Anthony Donaldson

President

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: A.R.T. Board 2015 - 2016

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 14:55:50 GMT

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.) is now accepting nominations for the A.R.T. Board for the 2015 - 2016 election year. Terms shall commence at the conclusion of the A.R.T. Annual Meeting, to be held June 15, 2015, at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), with the announcement of the election results.

Deadline for nomination submissions is Friday, 29 May 2015, midnight EST.

All current A.R.T. members are eligible for nomination. Nominations from colleagues and self-nominations are both welcomed.

Serving on the A.R.T. Board is a unique volunteer opportunity. As an A.R.T. Board member, you will gain skills and expertise beyond the scope of your past and present work commitments. Local leadership, project management, and networking are a few of the key benefits. Most importantly, you are serving as a representative for your colleagues and all A.R.T. membership.

The following positions are open:

Vice President (1 Year Term: 1 year Vice President/President Elect, 1 Year President)

Secretary (1 Year Term)

Treasurer (2 Year Term)

Director of the Advocacy Committee (2 Year Term)

Director of the Education Committee (2 Year Term)

Director of the Communications Committee (1 Year Term)

Positions are two-year terms, with the exception of the Vice President, which is a one-year term, following which the Vice President becomes President without an election; Secretary, and Director of the Communications Committee. After the nominations period closes, each candidate confirming acceptance of the nomination will be required to provide a short biography, candidate statement, and headshot for the ballot, due by Wednesday, 3 June 2015, midnight EST.

Please access the following link for the nomination form:

https://nycarchivists.wufoo.com/forms/call-for-nominations-art-board-2015-2016/

US House Budget Proposal Calls for Elimination of IMLS

Sat, 11 Apr 2015 17:52:17 GMT

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has released the following regarding the House of Representatives budget proposal eliminating IMLS funding (among other budget cuts such as eliminating the NEH):

http://www.arl.org/news/community-updates/3568-us-house-budget-proposal-calls-for-elimination-of-imls#.VSlfBCjtieG

To see the full impact IMLS funding has on communities around the country, see their annual report:

http://www.arl.org/news/community-updates/3569-imls-releases-annual-report-for-2014#.VSlgwCjtieG

Contact your representatives today to let them know how such cuts would imapct your archives and the community you serve:

http://www.house.gov/representatives/

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Statement regarding public officials using private email to conduct official business

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 21:38:31 GMT

Statement regarding public officials using private email to conduct official business

The Board of Directors and the Advocacy Committee of the Archivists Round
Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc., expresses concern at recent news
reports that public officials at different levels of government have used
private email accounts to routinely communicate and conduct official
business.

Use of non-official systems to send and receive email, except in extreme
circumstances (i.e. emergency situations where government systems are not
available) increases the likelihood that messages which meet the legal
definition of a public record are not captured or managed in accordance
with existing laws and regulations. Public records, whether email
messages or paper documents, not captured in official records management
systems diminish the historical record, decrease government efficiency and
effectiveness, and impede the public¹s ability to hold government
officials accountable.

The Board of Directors and the Advocacy Committee urge governments to
adopt records regulations that prohibit the use of non-official email
systems except in extreme, emergency situations. Furthermore, the Board
of Directors and the Committee urge that stricter rules regarding the use
of official email accounts for official business be implemented and
enforced to ensure preservation of the historic record and to foster
greater transparency and accountability at all levels of government.

The statement can be downloaded at the following link [PDF]:

2015_ART_email_advocacy_letter.pdf

ALA President responds to House proposal to eliminate IMLS

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 20:33:00 GMT

ALA President responds to House proposal to eliminate IMLS

The budget resolution released this week by the U.S. House Budget Committee proposes to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the agency that administers federal funding support for more than 123,000 libraries in virtually every community in the nation. American Library Association (ALA) President Courtney Young today released the following statement in response:

http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2015/03/ala-president-responds-house-proposal-eliminate-imls

Petition: SAVE IOWA HISTORY!

Wed, 25 Mar 2015 17:12:04 GMT

Change.org petition on the state of funding for the Iowa State Archives and Historical Society:

Restore Funding for the State Historical Society of Iowa Libraries and Archives. Keep physical records of Iowa history accessible to all.

Budget cuts and reorganization plans for the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) endanger the preservation of Iowa history contained in diaries, letters, photographs, maps, oral histories and other materials housed at the Society's two libraries in Des Moines and Iowa City.

Drastic reductions in operating hours and staff, the diversion of resources to unrelated activities, and recommendations to "streamline" the SHSI libraries threaten public access to the state's history. Iowans risk being severed from their past.

https://www.change.org/p/iowa-department-of-cultural-affairs-terry-branstad-state-historical-society-of-iowa-save-iowa-history-restore-funding-for-the-state-historical-society-of-iowa-libraries-and-archives-keep-physical-records-of-iowa-history-accessible-to-all

MayDay: Saving Our Archives -- Start Planning Now

Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:40:56 GMT

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” -- Benjamin Franklin

Ideas for MayDay Activities

Create or Update Your Contact Lists
Review or Establish Basic Emergency Procedures
Conduct a Disaster Drill
Conduct Scenario Exercises
Invite Your Local Firefighters to Visit Your Repository
Survey the Building for Risks
Make Sure All Collections Are in Boxes
Make Sure Boxes Are Off the Floor
Identify the Most Critical, Essential, Important Records
Inventory Emergency Supplies
Review Your Emergency Preparedness Plan

For more on these ideas:
http://www2.archivists.org/initiatives/mayday-saving-our-archives/ideas-for-mayday-activities

AP CEO: Sunshine Week & Freedom of Information Laws

Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:56:08 GMT

Associated Press CEO Gary Pruitt writes on the challenges and difficulties encountered when trying to access public records under Freedom of Information laws and includes some very illuminating examples.

AP CEO: Government undermining 'right to know' laws

http://www.ap.org/Content/Press-Release/2015/Gary-Pruitt-Sunshine-Week-column

Sunshine Week 3/15-21: Open government is good government

Tue, 10 Mar 2015 18:07:34 GMT

Sunshine Week

Open government
is good government

March 15-21, 2015

Join us in the annual nationwide celebration of access to public information and what it means for you and your community. Find all the free resources you need to get started right here.

It's Sunshine Week's 10th anniversary, and we've made a lot of gains in open government thanks to your work.

For more info see: http://www.sunshineweek.org/

National Library Legislative Day (NLLD) - May 4-5, 2015

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 14:16:03 GMT

This two-day advocacy event brings hundreds of librarians, trustees, library supporters, and patrons to Washington, D.C. to meet with their Members of Congress to rally support for libraries issues and policies. This year, National Library Legislative Day will be held May 4-5, 2015. Participants will receive advocacy tips and training, along with important issues briefings prior to their meetings.

First-time participants are eligible for a unique scholarship opportunity. The White House Conference on Library and Information Services Taskforce (WHCLIST) and the ALA Washington Office are calling for nominations for the 2015 WHCLIST Award. Recipients of this award receive a stipend ($300 and two free nights at a D.C. hotel) to a non-librarian participant in National Library Legislative Day.

For more info see: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/nlld

FOIA Advisory Committee seeks public comments

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 03:20:34 GMT

Make your voice heard: the FOIA Advisory Committee seeks public comments

As the FOIA Advisory Committee works hard to examine some challenging areas of FOIA law and policy, it needs your help. Input from the public will help the subcommittees better understand the issues that FOIA requesters and agencies face.

Please visit the FOIA Advisory Committee’s webpage, including the Public Comments page, for information about the Committee and how you can get involved.

For more on the issues the Committee is examining, see: http://blogs.archives.gov/foiablog/2015/02/11/make-your-voice-heard-the-foia-advisory-committee-seeks-public-comments/

MCNY and QM share results of CLIR-funded World's Fair Project

Sun, 15 Feb 2015 06:38:02 GMT

First posted on the A.R.T. Listserv on February 12, 2015.

MCNY and QM share results of CLIR-funded World's Fair Project

In a collaboration with the Queens Museum, the Museum of the City of New York has completed an 18-month project to make our collections from both the 1939/40 and 1964/65 New York World’s Fairs more accessible as a result of a generous Cataloging Hidden Special Collections and Archives grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). This project allowed the two museums to process and describe their relatively unknown and inaccessible World’s Fair collections, intellectually uniting all materials into a single finding aid for each fair, and providing item level cataloging for selected highlights from both collections.

The Museum and the City of New York (MCNY) and the Queens Museum (QM), in conjunction with the Queens Library, are now pleased to share finding aids for both the 1939-1940 and 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, along with item level catalog records for 1650 highlights from these collections via The Archives at Queens Library: Digital Collections.

Click here to view joint finding aids and catalog records for MCNY and QM collections:

Collection on the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair finding aid

Collection on the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair finding aid

Catalog records for 1650 item level highlights from both fairs (Click “Search” button to display records)

Local finding aids for just those materials held at MCNY can be found here:

Collection on the 1939-1940 New York World’s Fair finding aid

Collection on the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair finding aid

The Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in the CLIR program. Both museums are also grateful for the partnership with the Queens Library, whose staff worked diligently to help us make these resources available via this new Digital Archives site.

"The Long Lost Archives of New York's Most Glamorous Hotel" Features A.R.T. Board Member Erin Allsop

Sun, 08 Feb 2015 14:58:47 GMT

Erin Allsop, resident archivist with the Waldorf Astoria. Photograph by Luke Spencer for Atlas Obscura.

A.R.T. Board member Erin Allsop has been featured in the recent Atlas Obscura article "The Long Lost Archives of New York's Most Glamorous Hotel"!

Erin, who serves as A.R.T. Secretary, also manages the Waldorf Astoria Archives. Luke Spencer recently interviewed her and explored the Waldorf's Astoria unparalleled collection, which includes postcards, menus, cocktail lists, ledgers, photographs, and even bellhop uniforms.

Luke remarks: "For anyone interested in the forgotten glamor of old New York, it's an incredible find."

Here is a link to the article:

http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-long-lost-archives-of-new-yorks-most-glamorous-hotel

The Archives Leadership Institute 2015 Cohort

Sat, 07 Feb 2015 03:39:37 GMT

Congratulations to A.R.T. Board alumni & current A.R.T. members Rachel Chatalbash and Bonnie Marie Sauer, along with all serving on the 2015 cohort, for their achievement!

This announcement was initially posted on the Archives Leadership Institute (ALI) website.

The Archives Leadership Institute is proud to announce its ALI15 cohort!

We received applications from a diverse group of archival professionals working in institutions throughout the U.S. and abroad. Each applicant was evaluated by three different Steering Committee members and scored based on their responses to a series of essay questions. Each of our ALI15 cohort members have shown exceptional leadership skills and potential, the ability to influence change within the archival field, a strong commitment to the archival profession, demonstrated professional organizational involvement and service, a collaborative and innovative spirit, and representation and/or support of diversity within the profession.

The Program Staff, Steering Committee, and Faculty are all very much looking forward to the 2015 Archives Leadership Institute.

Jefferson Bailey

Program Manager

Internet Archive

Jefferson Bailey is Program Manager, Web Archiving Programs & Services at Internet Archive. Prior to joining IA, he worked on strategic initiatives, digital preservation, archives, and digital collections at institutions such as the Metropolitan New York Library Council, Library of Congress, Brooklyn Public Library, and Frick Art Reference Library and has worked in the archives at NARA, NASA, and Atlantic Records. He has an MLIS in Archival Studies from University of Pittsburgh and a BA in English from Oberlin College. He is active in SAA, IIPC, and NDSA and has taught Digital Preservation in a graduate archives program.

John Bence

University Archivist

Emory University

John Bence is the University Archivist at Emory University where he works in the Manuscript, Archives, & Rare Book Library (MARBL). Previously, he was a Research Library Fellow in MARBL and a Project Archivist in the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College. He serves on the Society of American Archivists’ Standards Committee and Web Archiving Roundtable Steering Committee and is a member of the Society of Georgia Archivists. John holds an MA in Archives & Public History from New York University.

Steven Booth

Archivist

National Archives and Records Administration

Steven D. Booth is an Archivist for the Presidential Materials Division at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C. An active member of the American Library Association and Society of American Archivists, he is involved with several diversity and recruitment programs including the Spectrum Scholarship and Knowledge Alliance, and currently serves as co-chair of the SAA Awards Committee. He holds a M.S. in Library Science from Simmons College.

Jennifer Brannock

Curator, Rare Books & Mississippiana

University of Southern Mississippi

Jennifer Brannock is the Curator of Rare Books and Mississippiana at the University of Southern Mississippi. She has a BA in Art History and a MSLS from the University of Kentucky. Her professional interests include popular culture, gender and sexuality in midcentury sleaze publications, and special collections outreach and reference service.

Rachel Chatalbash

Senior Archivist

Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, CT

Rachel Chatalbash is Senior Archivist at the Yale Center for British Art, previously having held positions at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Northeastern University, and the MIT Museum. She received her M.S. in archives management from Simmons College and Ph.D. in art history from the CUNY Graduate Center. Rachel currently serves as Co-Chair of the Regional Archival Associations Consortium and Recording Secretary for the Museum Archives Section of the Society of American Archivists, and is a former president of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

Su Kim Chung

Head, Special Collections Public Services

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Su Kim Chung is Head of Public Services in Special Collections at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she is in charge of reference, instruction, and outreach. In addition to her public service role, she also serves as curator for entertainment, women, and LGBT collections. Prior to stepping into this role, she spent fourteen years as Manuscripts Librarian in UNLV Special Collections. She has also worked as an archivist for the Toyota Corporate Archives in Torrance, California, and as a regional archives assistant in Special Collections at the University of California, Irvine. She has served on numerous SAA committees, including the editorial board of the American Archivist. Her MLIS is from UCLA, and she holds BA and MA degrees in history from California State University, Fresno. She will receive her PhD in Information Studies from UCLA in Winter 2015.

Jessica Farrell

Assistant Archivist

McDonald's Corporation

As Assistant Archivist at McDonald’s Corporation’s Golden Archives, Jessica has led digital content management and preservation for the company’s global collections since 2012. She proudly serves on the regional Chicago Area Archivists’ Steering Committee and national Regional Archival Associations Consortium (RAAC) and has put many volunteer hours into the Chicago Read/Write Library and Father Pfleger Archives. She holds a BA in French from the College of Charleston, MLIS from the University of South Carolina, and has been a Certified Archivist since 2013.

Rebecca Goldman

Head, Archives and Digital Initiatives

La Salle University

Rebecca Goldman is the Head of Archives and Digital Initiatives at La Salle University's Connelly Library. She holds a MSLIS from Drexel University and is completing a MA in Public History at La Salle. Rebecca is the founder of the Society of American Archivists' (SAA) Students and New Archives Professionals Roundtable and currently holds leadership positions in SAA and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference.

Adrien Hilton

Processing Archivist

Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University

Adrien Hilton is the Interim Head of Archives Processing at the Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Columbia University. Prior to Columbia, she worked as an archivist at NYU and the Redstockings Archives for Action. Adrien holds an MLS from Queens College and a BA in Social Thought and Political Economy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Rachel Howard

Digital Initiatives Librarian

University of Louisville

Rachel Howard is Digital Initiatives Librarian at the University of Louisville Archives and Special Collections. She received her MLIS from the University of Washington and a BA in history from the University of Notre Dame, and has worked on metadata and digitization of archival collections for the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center, Smithsonian Institution’s Global Sound, Cornell University’s Global Performing Art Consortium, and University of Washington and Museum of History and Industry (Seattle)’s King County Snapshots.

Anne Jenner

Pacific Northwest Curator

University of Washington Libraries

Anne Jenner is Pacific Northwest Curator in Special Collections at the University of Washington Libraries in Seattle. She holds an M.A. in Scandinavian Languages and Literature from the UW and an M.L.I.S from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Anne was director of Archives and Special Collections at North Park University in Chicago from 2007 to 2012 and joined the UW Special Collections in summer of 2012.

Sarah Keen

Head of Special Collections and University Archivist

Colgate University

Sarah Keen is the Head of Special Collections & University Archivist and Associate Professor in the Libraries at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. Previously she worked at the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections at Cornell University and at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College. Sarah is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference and the Society of American Archivists. She earned her B.A. from Alma College (Alma, MI) and her M.S.I. with a specialization in archives and records management from the University of Michigan’s School of Information.

Morgen MacIntosh Hodgetts

Special Collections Instruction Librarian

DePaul University

Morgen MacIntosh Hodgetts joined the Special Collections and Archives Department at DePaul University in 2001 as the archivist for the DeAndreis-Rosati Memorial Archives, the Records of the Western Province of the Congregation of the Mission. Over the past fourteen years, her responsibilities have evolved as the department expanded its programs and services. She currently serves as a Special Collections Instruction Librarian. From 2011 to 2013 she was the Chair of the Chicago Area Archivists (CAA) Steering Committee and is currently the Chair of the 2015 CAA Archives Crawl Working Group.

April Miller

Program Lead

World Bank Group Archives

April Miller is currently the Program Lead for the Archives of the World Bank Group in Washington, DC. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the University of Calgary and a Master’s of Archival Studies (MAS) from the University of British Columbia. She was a Government Records Archivist at the (then) National Archives of Canada, where she was responsible for a portfolio of fifteen federal government departments and agencies. She is an active member of the Association of Canadian Archivists, as well as the International Council on Archives’ Special Interest Section on International Organizations.

Virginia Millington

Director, Recording & Archive

StoryCorps

Virginia Millington is the Director of Recording & Archive at StoryCorps. In addition to working closely and collaboratively with the Library of Congress and other major institutions, Millington currently oversees the StoryCorps @ your library program, a national effort, created in partnership with the American Library Association, to provide public libraries with the tools and resources to record the stories of their communities. She has previously held positions at the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Walker Art Center, and she received her MLS from the Pratt Institute.

Christie Peterson

Records Management & Digital Archivist

The Johns Hopkins University

Christie Peterson has been Records Management Archivist for Johns Hopkins University’s Ferdinand Hamburger Archives since September 2012. In that role, she is responsible for records management, collection development and accessioning for the university archives, as well as the acquisition, processing, preservation and delivery of born-digital materials in the university archives and manuscripts. She previously worked as an archivist in the Princeton University Archives, as a project archivist with a congressional papers collection at Bates College, and as a graduate student assistant at the Bentley Historical Library. She received her MIS from the University of Michigan. Prior to graduate school, she honed her interviewing and records review skills as an investigator for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Caryn Radick

Digital Archivist

Rutgers University

Caryn Radick is digital archivist at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She has an MLIS from Rutgers University and an MA in Victorian Literature from the University of Nottingham. She is an active member of MARAC and SAA and has published articles in The American Archivist and Provenance.

Amanda Ross

Archives Specialist (Data Standards)

National Archives and Records Administration

Amanda Ross is a Data Standards Specialist at the National Archives and Records Administration. In this role, she serves as Coordinator to the Social Networks and Archival Context cooperative project. Previously, Amanda worked on the Nixon-era White House Tapes. She has also led archival and digitization initiatives at the Forest History Society and the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston. Amanda holds an MSLS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bonnie Marie Sauer

Archivist

National Archives and Records Administration

Bonnie Marie Sauer is a Senior Archivist with the National Archives at New York City. Prior to joining the National Archives, she was an Archivist with The Winthrop Group where she processed the papers of Congressman Peter W. Rodino and advised clients how to manage their archival holdings. She completed her internship at the New York Public Library's Billy Rose Theater Collection. Before earning her MLIS and certificate in Archives and Records Management from Long Island University in 2006, Bonnie worked as a Museum Technician for the Nassau County Museum System; Collection Manager and Development Associate for The Smithtown Historical Society; and Public Relations Director for The Smithtown Library. In her current position, Bonnie serves as Processing Team Lead, Intern Coordinator, and advises on system integration in offices around the country for NARA’s enterprise systems.

James Schnur

University Librarian, Special Collections and University Archives

University of South Florida St. Petersburg

James Schnur serves as a University Librarian in the Special Collections and University Archives at the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he has been a faculty member since 2002. He has also taught at Eckerd College as an adjunct member of the faculty continuously since 1996, has offered a graduate-level course and supervised fieldworks in Archival Management for the USF School of Information since 2008, and presently serves as President of the Pinellas County (Fla.) Historical Society. He holds master’s degrees in History and Library and Information Science from the University of South Florida.

Nathan Troup

Assistant Director for Records Management

Missouri Office of the Secretary of State

Nathan Troup, CA, CRM, is the Assistant Director for Records Management at the Missouri Office of the Secretary of State having previously served as the Senior Records Analyst and an Electronic Records Archivist. Troup received his MLIS from Kent State University in 2005, Masters in History with a specialization in Public History from Wright State University in 2008, and a Certificate in Digital Information Management from the University of Arizona in 2011. Reporting to the State Archivist he oversees the development of records retention schedules for state executive agencies, the State Records Center and Imaging Section.

Meg Tuomala

Assistant Archivist

Gates Archive, Seattle, WA

Meg Tuomala is an Assistant Archivist at the Gates Archive in Seattle, WA where she leads the arrangement and description process track, managing the processing of Gates Archive collections. The Gates Archive is the trusted custodian of the personal and philanthropic archival collections of the Gates family. Previously, Meg was the Electronic Records Archivist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she managed efforts to acquire, preserve, and provide access to born-digital special collections and archival materials. She holds an MSLS with a concentration in Archives and Records Management from the School of Information and Library Science of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and is a certified archivist. Meg is currently serving on the Society of American Archivists’ Standards Committee (2013-2016, co-chair 2014-2016) and the Privacy and Confidentiality Roundtable Steering Committee (2014-2016).

Casey Westerman

University Archivist

Wayne State University Library of Labor and Urban Affairs

Casey Westerman has been the University Archivist of Wayne State University since 2011. He previously served as the Technical Processes Archivist of Cornell University's Kheel Center. He is a Certified Archivist, a steering committee member of SAA's Regional Archival Associations Consortium, a board member of the Michigan Archival Association, and the president of the Metro Detroit Archivists League. He holds an MLS from the University of Illinois and an MA in English Literature from the University of Georgia.

Stacie Williams

Learning Lab Manager

University of Kentucky

Stacie Williams is the Learning Lab Manager at the University of Kentucky's Special Collections Research Center, coordinating archives internships, and additionally teaches in UK’s School of Library and Information Science. She previously worked at Tufts University's Digital Collections and Archives, and Harvard Medical Library's Center for the History of Medicine. In 2013, Williams, with scholars from Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, presented at SXSW about ways that information professionals can influence grassroots activism on Twitter, and she has published on cyberracism and information literacy. She is a 2010 ALA Spectrum Scholar who holds an M.S. in library science with an Archives Management concentration from Simmons College, and a B.A. in journalism from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Christina Zamon

Head of Archives and Special Collections

Emerson College

Christina Zamon is the Head of Archives and Special Collections for Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She previously served as the archivist for the National Press Club and previously worked at the Frick Art Reference Library and the Folger Shakespeare Library. She received her MA/MLS from the University of Maryland and is an active member of SAA and the New England Archivists. Her book, The Lone Arranger: Succeeding in a Small Repository was published by SAA in February 2012.

Calling All A.R.T. Members! Take the A.R.T. Member Survey!

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 16:31:47 GMT

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.) Board seeks input from current membership to more effectively meet its needs and increase sustainability.

The survey can be accessed at:

https://nycarchivists.wufoo.com/forms/art-member-survey-winter-2015/

Your feedback and comments are invaluable. You may submit your responses anonymously or provide your name and email. If you supply your contact info, the A.R.T. Board may contact you regarding your responses.

Thank you for your participation! The survey ends February 23, 2015 at midnight EST.

Please contact Tamar Zeffren, Director of the Membership Committee, for A.R.T. member questions regarding this survey, at membership@nycarchivists.org.

ILMS Survey on Crowdsourcing Initiatives

Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:28:32 GMT

With funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the newly formed Crowdsourcing Consortium for Libraries and Archives (CCLA) aims to forge a national partnership to examine how crowdsourcing technologies, tools, and platforms can help libraries, museums, and archives augment their collections and enhance user experiences.

Through an ongoing series of meetings and webinars, the CCLA team is now collecting cutting-edge information and best practices in the field and summarizing them in an accessible way, with accompanying principles, strategies, and resources to be continuously gathered and shared on the CCLA website (www.crowdconsortium.org).

The questions in this survey cover a variety of topics, including the challenges faced by institutions in implementing crowdsourcing applications as well as personal media usage habits.

This survey aims to inform technology development and government agencies' funding of projects in the crowdsourcing domain. With this work, we are establishing what we know and do not know as a community. This anonymous questionnaire will take no more than 10 minutes.

Here's the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CCLASurvey2

SAA 2015 Employment Survey

Fri, 30 Jan 2015 03:09:05 GMT

Take the 2015 Archivists Employment Survey!

SAA is gathering employment data relating to archivists and the archives profession. Your participation will help us better understand the current employment landscape and inform our advocacy efforts. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey, and spread the word so that the survey reaches as many archives professionals as possible. Thank you!

Click here to take the survey.

Interference Archive: Call for Class Proposals

Fri, 23 Jan 2015 02:24:40 GMT

Interference Archive is continuing their education series, and seeks proposals for single-session classes. Classes could be lectures, film viewing and discussion, hands-on workshops, or any other format you can imagine. In keeping with the mission of Interference Archive, there is a goal of exploring the link between social movements and culture-making.

Deadline for proposals is January 30th.

For more information:

http://interferencearchive.org/education-working-group-invitation-for-class-proposals/

SAA Lane Memorial Award - Seeking Nominations

Thu, 22 Jan 2015 03:19:46 GMT

Posted on behalf of the SAA Awards Committee.

The Society of American Archivists’ Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the Sister M. Claude Lane, O.P., Memorial Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of religious archives. Criteria for nomination include:

· Involvement and work in the Archivists of Religious Collections Section (ARCS) of the Society of American Archivists.

· Contributions to archival literature that relates to religious archives.

· Participation and leadership in religious archives organizations.

· Evidence of leadership in specific religious archives.

Only individual archivists are eligible for nomination. The award is sponsored by the Society of Southwest Archivists, in conjunction with Society of American Archivists. It is named in honor of Sister M. Claude Lane, the first professionally trained archivist at the Catholic Archives of Texas in Austin, who served there from 1960 until her death in 1974. The award finalist is recognized with a certificate from SAA and a $300 cash prize provided by the Society of Southwest Archivists at the annual Society of American Archivists meeting.

For more information on the Lane Award, including past winners, see:

http://www2.archivists.org/governance/handbook/section12-lane

To nominate an archivist for the Lane Award please follow the guidelines provided in the Nomination Form via the link on that page.

All nominations shall be submitted to the Awards Committee by February 28, 2015.

Please contact me if you have any questions:

David Kingma, CA

Foley Center Library

Gonzaga University

502 East Boone

Spokane, WA 99258-0095

509-313-3814

kingma@gonzaga.edu

36 Earn Digital Archives Specialist Certificates from Society of American Archivists

Sat, 17 Jan 2015 23:58:30 GMT

As reported on the Society of American Archivists website:

CHICAGO—Thirty-six archivists earned the Digital Archives Specialist (DAS) certificate from the Society of American Archivists (SAA) after completing required coursework and passing a comprehensive examination in November. SAA’s DAS certificate program was developed by experts in the field of digital archives and provides archivists with the information and tools needed to manage the demands of born-digital records.

DAS certificate holders must complete nine courses from four tiers: Foundational, Tactical and Strategic, Tools and Services, and Transformational, and pass the comprehensive examination. DAS certificate holders have the skills to understand the nature of electronic records; define requirements, roles, and responsibilities related to digital archives; formulate strategies for appraising, describing, managing, organizing, and preserving digital archives; plan for new tools and technologies and integrate them into existing functions to appraise, capture, preserve, and provide access to digital collections; curate, store, and retrieve original masters and access copies of digital archives; and provide reliable service related to electronic records and digital archives.

The new Digital Archives Specialists are: Marci Behm (Des Moines Public Library), Michael L. Case (USO), Jenny Cashman (Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences), Ryan A. Donaldson (The Durst Organization), Martin Firestein (William Rainey Harper College), Sharon L. Guthrie (Rice University), Mary Haberle (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences), Sarah A. Haug (Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum), Jennifer Ho (Chicago Community Trust), Amy B. James (Maryland State Archives), Kellie M. Johnson (Utah Valley University), Lisa Johnston (University of Minnesota), Jennifer E. King (The George Washington University), Elizabeth S. Knight (Consulting Archivist), Carol Kussmann (University of Minnesota), Matthew B. Leavitt (Brigham Young University), Janice Lurie (Minneapolis Institute of Arts), Alexis S. Macklin (University of Colorado, Boulder), Jamie L. Martin (IBM Corporation Archives), Shannon Mawhiney (Missouri State University), Megan H. McGovern (Progressive Insurance), Jessica McIntyre (Minneapolis Institute of Arts), Lisa A. Mix (New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center), Martha R. Noble (California Judicial Center Library), Amanda G. Pellerin (Jimmy Carter Presidential Library), Clint Pumphrey (Utah State University), Andrea W. Richardson (The Portman Archives), Rebecca Russell (Rice University), Lisa M. Schmidt (Michigan State University), Lauren Seney (The College of William and Mary), Elizabeth Shepard (Weill Cornell Medical Center Archives), Gina M. Strack (Utah State Archives), Lisa Sutton (Washington National Records Center), Rodney R. Swaner (Utah State Archives), Ashley L. Taylor (University of Pittsburgh), and Todd Welch (Northern Arizona University).

A total of 186 people have earned Digital Archives Specialist certificates since the program began in October 2011. Currently, there are more than six hundred participants in SAA’s DAS program who are working toward earning a certificate. For more information, visit www2.archivists.org/prof-education/das or contact SAA Education Director Solveig De Sutter (sdesutter@archivists.org).

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Founded in 1936, the Society of American Archivists is North America’s oldest and largest national archival professional association. SAA enables more than 6,100 individual and institutional members to achieve professional excellence and foster innovation to ensure the identification, preservation, and use of records of enduring value. For more information, visit www.archivists.org.

2015 Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day

Thu, 15 Jan 2015 15:55:52 GMT

The National Humanities Alliance is having their annual meeting and advocacy day March 16-17 in Washington DC.

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day than meeting members of Congress and advocating for Federal funding of archives?

For more info and registration see: http://www.nhalliance.org/events/index.shtml

Advance registration closes January 31st.

Latest issue of the ICA Human Rights Working Group Newsletter

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 22:04:46 GMT

The new issue of the International Council on Archives' Human Rights Working Group News, containing information about events that occurred in December, is now on line at http://www.ica.org/16770/hrwg-newsletter/hrwg-newsletter-december-2014.html

Help Pass the FOIA Amendments Bill

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:13:21 GMT

The recently-passed Senate FOIA bill is jostling with lots of other unfinished business for room on the House’s suspension calendar. If It doesn’t make it on the calendar, it dies for the year – and will likely be even harder to pass next year (http://www.openthegovernment.org/Now_or_Never_FOIA). Please help us convince Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader McCarthy that they cannot miss this opportunity to pass a bill that will make federal agencies more accountable to the public.

Please tweet:

@SpeakerBoehner & @GOPLeader don't miss this opportunity to make fed agcys more accountable to the public! Schedule #FOIA vote today

International Council on Archives' Human Rights Working Group News

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 14:05:26 GMT

The new issue of the International Council on Archives' Human Rights Working Group News, containing information about events that occurred in November, is now on line at http://www.ica.org/16981/hrwg-newsletter/hrwg-newsletter-november-2014.html

#AskAnArchivist Day Is October 30!

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 02:54:43 GMT

Posted on behalf of the Regional Archival Associations Consortium (RAAC). More information may be found on the SAA website: http://www2.archivists.org/initiatives/askanarchivist-day-october-30

What Is #AskAnArchivist Day?

It’s an opportunity to:

· Break down the barriers that make archivists seem inaccessible.

· Talk directly to the public undefined via Twitter undefined about what you do, why it’s important and, of course, the interesting records with which you work.

· Join with archivists around the country and the world to make an impact on the public’s understanding of archives while celebrating American Archives Month!

· Interact with users, supporters, and prospective supporters about the value of archives.

· Hear directly from the public about what they’re most interested in learning about from archives and archivists.

How Does It Work?

On October 30, archivists around the country will take to Twitter to respond to questions tweeted with the hashtag #AskAnArchivist. Take this opportunity to engage via your personal and/or institutional Twitter accounts and to respond to questions posed directly to you or more generally to all participants.

Questions will vary widely, from the silly (What do archivists talk about around the water cooler?) to the practical (What should I do to be sure that my e-mails won’t get lost?), but each question will be an opportunity to share more about our work and our profession with the public.

Between now and October 30:

PROMOTE #AskAnArchivist Day among your users and constituents via your institution’s website, Twitter account, blog, newsletter, and any other mediums available to you. Click here for the public announcement (and feel free to pick up language from it for your own promotions).

For additional inspiration on what your promotion of #AskAnArchivist Day might look like, see these great examples of the recent promotion by museums of #AskACurator Day:

· Cincinnati Museum Center

· Indianapolis Museum of Art

· The Library of Virginia

· Presidential Libraries of the National Archives

Examples of possible Twitter promotion:

· Happy #AskAnArchivist Day! Our archivists are waiting for YOUR questions. Tag us at @TWITTERHANDLE and use #AskAnArchivist.

· Archivists at @TWITTERHANDLE are gearing up for #AskAnArchivist Day on October 30! Literallyundefineddocuments and photo boxes stacked and waiting!

ENCOURAGE the public to use #AskAnArchivist and your institution’s Twitter handle (e.g., @smithsonian) when asking questions so you won’t miss any that are intended for you and so we will be able to track questions and answers to measure overall participation.

TALK to your staff and colleagues to develop a plan for responding to tweets throughout the day. Will one person respond to all tweets? Will you share the task? Will individuals sign up for time slots and let the public know who will be available when?

Here’s one example:

· During this year’s #AskACurator Day, one person at the Indianapolis Museum of Art was selected to monitor both the general hashtag and tweets sent directly to @imamuseum. When direct questions came in or interesting general questions were posed via the hashtag, the designated monitor sent the questions to participating curators via email. The curators (and their archivist!) replied with their answers, and the monitor posted all answers from the @imamuseum Twitter account. (See the Storify of the IMA's participation in #AskACurator Day for results.)

CREATE an institutional Twitter account if you don’t already have one. #AskAnArchivist Day and American Archives Month are both great opportunities to start one! Click here to get started.

And if an institutional Twitter account is not an option for you, go ahead and answer questions from your personal Twitter account! If your institutional affiliation and job title are not already listed on your profile, be sure to add that for the duration of #AskAnArchivist Day.

TWEET and GREET! Take advantage of this opportunity to join with archivists from around the country to talk to and hear directly from the public on October 30.

2014 New York Archives Week Events Calendar Now Available!

Thu, 02 Oct 2014 04:24:35 GMT

The 2014 New York Archives Week Events Calendar is now available! This revised version includes events listings from the following 25 organizations:

American Civil Liberties Union Archives
American Museum of Natural History Research Library
Bayside Historical Society
Brooklyn Public Library
Center for Human Rights Documentation and Research, Columbia University
Center for Jewish History
Chin Ying Asian Library, Sun Yat-Sen Hall, St. John’s University
City University of New York Graduate Center Library
Girl Scouts of the USA, National Historic Preservation Center
Józef Piłsudski Institute of America
Monmouth County Archives
National Archives and Records Administration of New York City
NYC Department of Records & Information Services/Municipal Archives
New-York Historical Society
New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwartzman Building
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Oyster Bay Historical Society
Port Washington Public Library
Richard Meier Model Museum
RESOBOX Gallery
St. John’s University - Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Library
St. Joseph’s Seminary
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Tamiment Library, Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, New York University
Waldorf Astoria New York Hotel

The calendar can be viewed here.

A.R.T. thanks all of the organizations that are participating in New York Archives Week this year.

A.R.T. Announces 2014 New York Archives Week Awards Winners

Thu, 28 Aug 2014 03:03:46 GMT

A.R.T. Announces 2014 New York Archives Week Awards Winners
Signature event recognizes innovative and educational uses of archives, outstanding support of archives, and archival achievement

www.nycarchivists.org

For immediate release.

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.), along with hundreds of organizations in the archives community across New York State, will celebrate the 26th Anniversary of New York Archives Week, October 5-11, 2014, with special commemorative activities throughout the New York City metropolitan area. New York Archives Week is an annual celebration aimed at informing the general public of the diverse array of accessible archival materials and local cultural institutions.

The Awards Ceremony is the NYAW signature event. The awards celebrate distinguished work and enduring achievements in the local archives profession. This year, A.R.T. is pleased to announce this year’s recipients:

Outstanding Support for Archives – Center for Jewish History

http://www.cjh.org/ | blog.cjh.org

Innovative Use of Archives - The Roaring ‘Twenties: An Interactive Exploration of the Historical Soundscape of New York City by Emily Thompson and designed by Scott Mahoy produced through the multimedia journal, Vectors

http://vectorsdev.usc.edu/NYCsound/777b.html

Educational Use of Archives - Queens Memory Project

http://queensmemory.org/

Archival Achievement – Linda Edgerly, Founding Partner & Director, Information & Archival Services, The Winthrop Group, Inc.

http://www.winthropgroup.com

The Awards Ceremony will take place at the New York Junior League on Thursday, October 9, 2014. Registration will be available on the A.R.T. website beginning September 1^st, and open exclusively to A.R.T. members and special guests of the awards winners. The Awards Ceremony will feature a Commemorative Journal to be distributed at the event.

The journal will include a section for congratulatory announcements and advertising opportunities for individuals, businesses, and other organizations. To learn more about this sponsorship opportunity, please visit - http://www.nycarchivists.org/event-1745340.

A.R.T. thanks MetLife for being a major sponsor of New York Archives Week since its inception in 1989. A.R.T. also thanks the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation for their generous support.

"Scavenge the Archive" with Interference Archive! July 30th, 7pm-9pm

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 02:37:41 GMT

Previously posted on the METRO listserv on July 21, 2014.

Interference Archive, a volunteer run community archive in Brooklyn, is hosting a scavenger hunt…in the archive!

Have you been looking for a good excuse to leaf through a box of political pamphlets, or a reason to dig through alternative newspapers? It’s finally here, and it’s for a good cause: to raise money for operational expenses at Interference Archive.

Here’s the info:

Scavenge the Archive
Wednesday July 30
7 to 9pm
131 8th Street Brooklyn NY 11215

Entry cost: $5 by donation
Snacks and drinks by donation
Fun prizes and raffle!

RSVP to the Facebook event!

If you have a smartphone, charge it up and bring it.
If you don’t have a smartphone, don’t fret.
For those who can’t make it, follow along with the fun at
#IAscavenge14

See you there!

A.R.T. Members: NY State Council on the Arts Seeks YOUR Input for Survey

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 01:08:48 GMT

Originally posted by Celia Hartmann on the the A.R.T. LinkedIn "Discussions" page, on behalf of the New York State Council on the Arts:

"New York State Council on the Arts is seeking input from users, enjoyers, and creators of art to assist in planning for arts and culture funding. Complete their survey here: http://lnkd.in/dvrN5s7"

Important Update from NY State Archives on DHP Services

Fri, 04 Jul 2014 19:19:41 GMT

Received via Christine W. Ward, New York State Archivist:

"We are writing to let you know of changes that are planned for the regional services portion of the New York State Archives Documentary Heritage Program (DHP). Our aim is to move the DHP in a direction that will bring the best quality and most comprehensive services to New York's historical records community with the resources available to us.

DHP Regional Services
For over 25 years the DHP regional services have provided technical assistance and training through contracts between the New York State Education Department (SED) and nine regional providers, which have included seven 3Rs library councils, the Museum Association of New York, and the Greater Hudson Heritage Network. We thank the organizations that have contributed to the success of this program and advancements in preservation and access for New York's heritage.

When the contracts between the SED and these agencies expire on June 30, 2014, there will be changes to the contractual process for operating this part of the program. The DHP competitive grants program will not change and will continue to be operated from the New York State Archives' central offices.

Service Delivery Changes
Instead of nine separate DHP contracts, the SED will seek a single, statewide five-year contract to deliver a set of supports and educational services for eligible archives, libraries, historical societies, museums, and other institutions that hold historical records and/or library research materials and operate programs to preserve them and make them accessible. The contract will cover DHP services and also incorporate elements of the New York State Library's Conservation/Preservation Program.

Interim Assistance
Until the new statewide contract is in place, the State Archives will provide basic support to the historical records community through email and phone communications and delivery of on-line resources. Repositories in need of archival assistance may contact Pamela Cooley at the New York State Archives (pcooley@mail.nysed.gov, (518) 474-5393) starting July 1 and until further notice. For preservation-related assistance, organizations may continue to contact Barbara Lilley at the New York State Library (blilley@mail.nysed.gov, (518) 486-4864."

New A.R.T. Board members have been elected for the 2014-2015 term!

Sat, 28 Jun 2014 19:14:39 GMT

As first announced at the A.R.T. Annual Meeting at the Center for Jewish History on June 16, 2014, the new A.R.T. Board members have been elected:

Vice President/President Elect:

Janet Bunde

Secretary:

Erin Allsop

Director of the Communications Committee:

Alice L. Merchant

Director of the Membership Committee:

Tamar Zeffren

Director of the Outreach and Advocacy Committee:

Tiffany Nixon

The continuing A.R.T. Board would like to extend congratulations to the election of the new Board members, as well as offer sincere thanks to the outgoing Board members ending their terms: Pamela Cruz (President); Melissa Bowling (Secretary); Wanett Clyde (Director of the Communications Committee); Anne Petrimolux (Director of the Membership Committee); and Janet Bunde (Director of the Outreach and Advocacy Committee).

More information on all current Board members can be found here-
http://nycarchivists.org/board

Meet the Candidates for the 2014-2015 A.R.T. Board

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 22:02:29 GMT

The candidates for the 2014-2015 A.R.T. Board have been announced:

Vice President - Janet Bunde

Secretary - Erin Allsop

Director of the Communications Committee - Alice L. Merchant

Director of the Membership Committee - Tamar Zeffren

Director of the Outreach and Advocacy Committee - Tiffany Nixon

More information on the candidates can be found here.

2014-2015 A.R.T. Board Candidate Nominations by Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

A.R.T. members can vote at the annual meeting and June programming event to be held at the Center for Jewish History on June 16th. This event is FREE for A.R.T. members and will also feature the panel discussion "Perspectives on Theatre Archives."

If you are unable to attend the meeting, or if you know you will arrive after the voting period, you are encouraged to cast your vote via the online ballot form. The online voting period ends at 8pm on Sunday, 15 June 2014. Please note on the ballot that you must enter in the email address registered with your A.R.T. membership account.

More information on the meeting and event, along with registration information, is available here. The deadline to register for the event is this Friday (6/13).

Call for Nominations: A.R.T. Board of Directors 2014 - 2015

Fri, 02 May 2014 04:24:53 GMT

Call for Nominations: A.R.T. Board of Directors 2014 - 2015

The Board of Directors of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.) announces the official call for nominations for Board positions available for the 2014 - 2015 election year. Terms shall commence at the conclusion of the A.R.T. Annual Meeting, to be held in June, with the announcement of the election results.

Deadline for nomination submissions is Monday, 26 May 2014, midnight EST.

All current A.R.T. members are eligible for nomination. Nominations from colleagues and self-nominations are both welcomed.

Serving on the A.R.T. Board is a unique volunteer opportunity. As an A.R.T. Board member, you will gain skills and expertise beyond the scope of your past and present work commitments. Local leadership, project management, and networking are a few of the key benefits. Most importantly, you are serving as a representative for your colleagues and all A.R.T. membership.

Positions are two-year terms, with the exception of the Vice President, which is a one-year term, following which the Vice President becomes President without an election. After the nominations period closes, each candidate confirming acceptance of the nomination will be required to provide a short biography, candidate statement, and headshot for the ballot, due by Friday, 30 May 2014, midnight EST.

Open Board positions include:

Vice President (Two Year Term: 1 year Vice President, 1 Year President)

At the request of the President, or in the absence of the President, at the request of the Board, the Vice President shall perform all of the duties of the President and so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all restrictions upon the President. The Vice President shall solicit nominations for Director, officer and committee positions; inform the nominator and nominee of the nomination; prepare ballots with candidates’ biographies and statements; and appoint an independent election committee to receive and count the ballots. The Vice President shall serve as liaison with the President to national, regional and local professional associations; prepare a report for the Annual Business Meeting; and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board or by the President.

Secretary(Two Year Term)

The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board, and shall keep the minutes thereof; shall be custodian of the seal of the Corporation and may seal with the seal of A.R.T., or a facsimile thereof, all documents the execution of which on behalf of the A.R.T. under its corporate seal is authorized in accordance with the provisions of the By-laws; shall have charge of A.R.T.’s books, records and papers relating to its organization and management as a Corporation, and shall see that the reports, statements and other documents required by law are properly kept and filed; shall manage the A.R.T.’s archives according to the Records Retention Policy and Schedule, and shall, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board or by the President.

Director of the Outreach and Advocacy Committee(Two Year Term)

The Director of the Advocacy and Outreach Committees shall conduct outreach by coordinating community programs and promoting awareness of A.R.T. to other organizations and community groups, promote the archival profession to new audiences, advocate for the preservation and increased use of historical materials, and influence policy decisions that affect the archives profession.

Director of the Communications Committee(Two Year Term.)

The Director of the Communications Committee shall identify the communications requirements of A.R.T.; manage the A.R.T. website and online presence; update and produce publications, such as the Metropolitan Archivist, for A.R.T., as needed, or as requested by the Board; communicate the concerns of A.R.T. on various subjects as needed; and perform other duties applicable to the office as prescribed by the Board.

Director of the Membership Committee (Two Year Term.)

The Director of the Membership Committee shall encourage institutional and individual membership in A.R.T.; develop and update an orientation packet for new members; collect and maintain personal information submitted by members, and document the reasons members have not renewed their membership.

For further information about A.R.T.’s governance structure and the above positions, please see the by laws on the A.R.T. web site.

Nominations are officially open to all current A.R.T. members via the official nomination form:

https://nycarchivists.wufoo.com/forms/call-for-nominations-art-board-2014-2015/

Alternatively, you may email Ryan Anthony Donaldson, A.R.T. Vice President at veep@nycarchivists.org with subject line “A.R.T. Board Nomination” if you would like to nominate someone, including yourself, for a position on the A.R.T. Board. Please send submissions ASAP; the final deadline for nominations is Thursday, 29 May 2014, midnight EST.

If there are any questions about the open positions, or this year's election, please contact the A.R.T. Vice President: veep@nycarchivists.org

Sad News: Passing of Kathleen Kirwan / Viewing Tomorrow 5/2

Fri, 02 May 2014 03:44:27 GMT

A.R.T. members alerted the A.R.T. Board this evening of the sad news of the death of Kathleen Kirwan. A viewing has been scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, May 2nd, with details below.

http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/nyu/

Kathleen Kirwan

Obituary

Guest Book

Katie Kirwan, 59, of Brooklyn, N.Y., passed away Saturday, April 26, 2014, of complications from multiple sclerosis. She was born April 1, 1955, in Youngstown, Ohio, a daughter of the late Mary Jewel and Michael J. Kirwan Jr.Ms. Kirwan was a 1973 graduate of Peters Township High School and obtained several undergraduate and master's degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and New York University. She was a former archivist in the Special Collections Department for New York City. Surviving are her brother, Michael J. Kirwan III, and three sisters, Molly J. Kirwan, Bridget M. Kirwan and Maureen K. McLaughlin. She is also survived by three nieces, Christy, Casey and Anna, and her dear friend, David Kisacky.

Viewing is 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 2, in Hugh Reid Funeral Home, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Reid Funeral Home

153 Greenpoint Ave.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn

718-383-7500

Published in Observer-Reporter on Apr. 30, 2014

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/Observer-Reporter/obituary.aspx?n=Kathleen-Kirwan&pid=170859352#sthash.IFfW4ibN.dpuf

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2014 New York Archives Week Awards

Sun, 13 Apr 2014 13:45:58 GMT

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS:

2014 New York Archives Week Awards

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: NOMINATION FORM

Nominees for the 2014 New York Archives Week Awards Ceremony –

Each year the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.) presents four awards during New York Archives Week.

This year's event will be held on Thursday, October 9th at a location to be confirmed.

We invite members to submit nominations for worthy colleagues, archival organizations, and innovative projects. The awards celebrate distinguished work and lasting achievements in our profession. Remember that the Awards Ceremony is only enriched and further elevated with all your nominee suggestions!

Please use the following criteria in selecting your nominee:

Nominee must be an A.R.T. member or operate within the New York metropolitan area.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORT OF ARCHIVES recognizes an individual or organization for notable contributions to archival records or archives programs through political, financial or moral support.

Past recipients include:

2013 New York Archives Conference (NYAC)
2012 Art Spaces Archives Project
2011 New York City Council Member Gale Brewer
2010 Leon Levy Foundation

INNOVATIVE USE OF ARCHIVES recognizes an individual or organization for use of archival material in a meaningful and creative way, making a significant contribution to a community or body of people, and demonstrating the relevance of archival materials to its subject.

Past recipients include:

2013 Rhizome
2012 NYPL Labs
2011 Muslim World Music Day
2010 The Jazz Loft Project

ARCHIVAL ACHIEVEMENT recognizes an individual or archival program that has made an outstanding contribution to the archival profession, or a notable achievement of value to the archives community, its patrons or constituents. The recipient must be a member of A.R.T. or an archival program operating within the New York metropolitan region.

Past recipients include:

2013 Peter Wosh
2012 Stephen E. Novak
2011 Barbara Haws, New York Philharmonic
2010 Grace Lile, Witness

AWARD FOR EDUCATIONAL USE OF ARCHIVES Recognizes and celebrates an individual or organization who utilizes primary source materials to create engaging and informative learning experiences for diverse audiences.

Past recipients include:

2013 Brooklyn Historical Society for Students and Faculty in the Archives
2012 Museum of the Moving Image for The Living Room Candidate project
2011 Aquinas Honor Society of the Immaculate Conception School

NOMINATION FORM -
https://nycarchivists.wufoo.com/forms/open-call-new-york-archives-week-awards-nominees/

DEADLINE:
Nominations must be received by Thursday, May 15, 2014 for consideration.

Please send any questions to the A.R.T. Awards Committee at awards@nycarchivists.org.

The Archives Leadership Institute Cohort

Sun, 02 Mar 2014 01:31:25 GMT

Congratulations to all, including A.R.T. Members:
Francine Snyder, Bonnie Marie Sauer, Shannon O'Neill!

************************************************************
The Archives Leadership Institute is proud to announce its ALI14 cohort!

We received applications from 74 applicants, all of which were very strong
candidates. Each applicant was evaluated by three different Steering
Committee members and scored based on their responses to a series of essay
questions. Each of our ALI14 cohort members have shown exceptional
leadership skills and potential, the ability to influence change within the
archival field, a strong commitment to the archival profession,
demonstrated professional organizational involvement and service, a
collaborative and innovative spirit, and representation and/or support of
diversity within the profession.

The Program Staff, Steering Committee, and Faculty are all very much
looking forward to the 2014 Archives Leadership Institute.

*Bonnie Marie Sauer*
*Archivist*
*National Archives and Records Administration*
Bonnie Marie Sauer is an Archivist with the National Archives at New York
City performing as Processing Team Lead and troubleshooting system
integration issues at NARA offices nationwide. Previously, Bonnie worked
with the Winthrop Group, the Nassau County Museum System, and the Smithtown
Historical Society. She holds an MLIS and certificate in Archives and
Records Management from Long Island University.

*Brad Houston*
*University Records Archivist*
*University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee*
Brad Houston is University Records Archivist at the University of Wisconsin
Milwaukee. He is active in both SAA and the Midwest Archives Conference,
and currently serves as co-chair of the Southeast Wisconsin Archivists'
Group. Brad received his MA in European History and MLS from the University
of Maryland-College Park in 2007, and became a Certified Archivist in 2013.

*Chris Burns*
*Curator of Manuscripts and University Archivist*
*University of Vermont*
Chris is the Curator of Manuscripts in Special Collections at the
University of Vermont Libraries. He is a former President of the New
England Archivists, and has served as chair of the Manuscript Repositories
Section and the Awards Committee of the Society of American Archivists. He
holds an MLIS from Simmons College, and an MA in History from the
University of Vermont.

*Christian Kelleher*
*Archivist/Assistant Head Librarian*
*Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas at
Austin*
Christian Kelleher is the Archivist at the University of Texas's Nettie Lee
Benson Latin American Collection where he manages the Rare Books &
Manuscripts division. He holds an MLIS from UT Austin and is a Certified
Archivist. Previously he was an archivist with History Associates
Incorporated, and a Peace Corps Volunteer.

*Cliff Hight*
*University Archivist*
*Kansas State University*
Cliff Hight has been the University Archivist at Kansas State University
since 2011, and has been in the profession since 2005. His professional
activities include being on the Kansas State Historical Records Advisory
Board, the State of Kansas Electronic Records Committee, and on the Best
Practices and Toolbox Committee of the SAA Web Archiving Roundtable.

*Conor Casey*
*Archivist*
*Labor Archives of Washington, University of Washington*
Conor Casey is the founding labor archivist of the Labor Archives of
Washington at the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Previously, he worked at the Labor Archives & Research Center at San
Francisco State University (SFSU). Conor holds an MA in US history with a
concentration in labor and public history from SFSU, a MLIS from San Jose
State University with a concentration in archives and academic reference,
and is a Certified Archivist. He is co-chair of the SAA Labor Archives
Roundtable, a board member of the Pacific Northwest Labor History
Association and the Northwest Archivists, and the president of the Pacific
Northwest Historians Guild.

*Cynthia Harbeson*
*Processing Archivist/Assistant Professor*
*Appalachian State University*
Cynthia Harbeson is the Processing Archivist and an Assistant Professor at
the Carol Grotnes Belk Library and Information Commons at Appalachian State
University in Boone, North Carolina. She holds a Master of Science in
Library Science and a Master of Arts in History from Simmons College in
Boston, Massachusetts.

*Dara Baker*
*Senior Archivist, Historian, and Legislative Researcher *
*Export-Import Bank of the U.S., Contractor*
Dara Baker is the Senior Archivist, Historian, and Legislative Researcher
at the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. She holds an MLS from the University
of Maryland, College Park and a Master's in History from Harvard
University. Dara served as Chair of the SAA Communications Task Force and
is currently Co-Chair of the MARAC Lone Arrangers Working Group. She has
been a Certified Archivist since 2012.

*Francine Snyder *
*Director of Library and Archives*
*Guggenheim Museum*
Francine Snyder is the Director of the Library and Archives at the Solomon
R. Guggenheim Museum. Previously, Francine worked as Project Archivist at
Gap, Inc and as the Slide Librarian at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Francine is a member of Metropolitan New York Library Council's Digital
Services Advisory Council, the Society of American Archivists' Task Force
on Member Affinity Groups, SAA 2011 program committee, and is a past
co-chair for the Museum Archives Section.

*Gerald Chaudron *
*Preservation Librarian*
*University of Memphis*
Gerald is the Preservation Librarian at the University of Memphis,
responsible for the maintenance the library and archival collections, as
well as the digitization program. Previously, Gerald was a processing
archivist at Mississippi State University. He has a PhD in History from the
University of Canterbury, New Zealand, a MLIS from Louisiana State
University at Baton Rouge, and is a Certified Archivist.

*Gina Nichols *
*Archivist*
*U.S. Navy Seabee Museum*
Gina Nichols is the Senior Archivist at the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum.
Nichols is an adjunct professor at California State University Northridge
teaching archival management courses for the Department of History and has
authored four books. She is a member of the Society of American Archivists
and a Certified Archivist.

*Jamie Nelson *
*Head of Special Collections and Archives*
*DePaul University*
Jamie Nelson is Head of Special Collections and Archives at DePaul
University, and was previously Special Collections Librarian at Augustana
College (Rock Island, Illinois) for thirteen years. Her continuing
interests in the field include instruction, assessment, and dialogue about
the digital representation of archival materials.

*Jillian Cuellar *
*Head, Center for Primary Research and Training & Digital Initiatives*
*UCLA Library Special Collections*
Jillian Cuellar is Head of the Center for Primary Research & Training and
Digital Initiatives at UCLA Library Special Collections. She has worked as
an archivist at NYU and Columbia University, and is active in national and
regional professional associations. She holds a MSLIS from Pratt Institute
and a BA in English from the University of Texas, Austin.

*Lynette Stoudt *
*Director, Research Center*
*Georgia Historical Society*
Lynette Stoudt is Director of the Georgia Historical Society Research
Center. She held previous positions at U.C. Berkeley, Irvine, and San Diego
and with History Associates Inc. She currently serves on the boards of the
Society of Georgia Archivists, Savannah Heritage Emergency Response, and
the Steering Committee of the Regional Archival Associations Consortium.

*Mary Jo Fairchild *
*Senior Archivist*
*South Carolina Historical Society*
Mary Jo Fairchild is the Director of Archives and Research at the South
Carolina Historical Society and holds a MA in History from the College of
Charleston, a MLIS from the University of South Carolina, and is a
Certified Archivist. Currently, Mary Jo is the President of the South
Carolina Archival Association and serves on the Board of Directors for the
Friends of the Charleston County Public Library.

*Matt Francis *
*Archivist for Collection Management*
*Pennsylvania State University*
Matt Francis is the Archivist for Collection Management at Pennsylvania
State University. Previously, Matt has worked at SUNY Potsdam and at the
University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center. He earned a M.A. in
public history with an archives concentration from Wright State University.
He has served on the steering committee of SAA's Issues and Advocacy
Roundtable, the Upstate New York Key Contact for the Membership Committee,
and is an SAA mentor.

*Melissa Gonzales *
*University Archivist*
*University of Texas at Arlington*
Melissa Gonzales is the University Archivist at the University of Texas at
Arlington. Currently, she is Chair of SAA's Students and New Archives
Professionals Roundtable, and is also on the Mentoring Subcommittee. She
has sat on the Society of Southwest Archivists' Executive Board and serves
on the Membership and Publications Committees, respectively.

*Michael Shallcross *
*Assistant Archivist*
*University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library*
Mike Shallcross is an Assistant Archivist in the Digital Curation Division
of the University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library. He has
developed policies, procedures, and tools for processing born-digital
archives and has also contributed to the library's web archives and
implementation of its digital infrastructure. Mike also serves on the SAA
Publications Board and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of
Michigan's School of Information.

*Morna Gerrard *
*Women and Gender Collections Archivist*
*Georgia State University*
Morna Gerrard is the Women and Gender Collections Archivist at Georgia
State University. A past president of the Society of Georgia Archivists,
she is on the board of the Georgia Archives Institute, and vice president
of the Georgia LGBTQ Archives Project. She lives in Decatur, GA.

*Natalie Baur*
*Archivist, Cuban Heritage Collection*
*University of Miami *
Natalie Baur joined the University of Miami Libraries as the Archivist for
the Cuban Heritage Collection in 2012. Natalie holds an MA in History, a
certificate in Museum Studies, and an MLS with a concentration in Archives,
Records, and Information Management. Her interests include description and
preservation of cultural heritage materials and collaboration with
librarians and archivists in Latin America and the Caribbean.

*Paul Eisloeffel *
*Curator of Audiovisual Collections*
*Nebraska State Historical Society*
Paul Eisloeffel is the Curator of Audiovisual Collections for the Nebraska
State Historical Society, a position he has held since 2001. He has been
active in professional associations, is a frequent presenter and writer on
heritage audiovisual topics and runs a small business helping colleagues
with their moving image holdings.

*Sarah Dorpinghaus*
*Digital Projects Library Manager*
*University of Kentucky*
Sarah Dorpinghaus is the Digital Projects Manager at the University of
Kentucky Libraries where she oversees workflows for digital content
creation, management, and preservation. Sarah holds an MLIS from the
University of Iowa (2009) and her research interests include large-scale
digitization projects. She previously held project archivist positions at
the College of Charleston and the Chicago History Museum

*Shannon O'Neill *
*Associate Director of Archives and Special Collections*
*Barnard College*
Shannon is the Associate Director of Archives and Special Collections at
Barnard College. Prior to joining Barnard, she worked at the Atlantic City
Free Public Library and the Los Angeles Public Library. Shannon's
professional interests include community-based archiving, radical
histories, and the use of primary resource materials in education. She
received her MLIS at UCLA in 2008.

*Tamara Kennelly *
*University Archivist*
*Virginia Tech*
Tamara Kennelly is the University Archivist at Virginia Tech. She is active
in the International Oral History Association in which she serves on the
English program committee for the upcoming XVIII IOHA Conference in
Barcelona, Spain and in the Oral History Association in which she serves on
the Diversity Committee.

*Tywanna Whorley *
*Manuscript Librarian*
*Howard University*
Tywanna Whorley is the Manuscript Librarian for the Moorland-Spingarn
Research Center at Howard University. She received her Ph.D. from the
School of Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh. Tywanna was
a project archivist for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers at Boston
University. She is a former Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of
library and Information Science at Simmons College. Tywanna is currently
serving as the Chair of the Diversity Committee.

Metropolitan Archivist Winter 2014 Issue Now Available!

Sat, 22 Feb 2014 04:52:43 GMT

The Winter 2014 issue of the Metropolitan Archivist is now available. This issue features a brand new layout design created by John Seckler that we hope you enjoy, and is the debut of our new Editor-in-Chief Lindsey Wyckoff.

Metropolitan Archivist is available on the A.R.T. website & Scribd.

Please contact editor@nycarchivists.org if you are interested in joining our staff or contributing to our next issue.

Passing of Leonora Gidlund - MARAC "Mid-Atlantic Archivist" article - deadline 2/20/14

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 06:13:19 GMT

A.R.T. sadly announces the death of Leonora Gidlund, former Director of the Municipal Archives at New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS). A.R.T. Member Susan Woodland has alerted the A.R.T. Board that MARAC would like to publish an article of people's memories of Leonora in the next Mid-Atlantic Archivist.

You are invited to submit a remembrance of Leonora Gidlund for MARAC's Mid-Atantic Archivist. Please send personal and professional remembrances of Leonora to Susan Woodland by Thursday, February 20, 2014 at swoodland@ajhs.org.

Sad News: Passing of Leonora Gidlund, 2/14/14 - Funeral: 2/18/14, 10:00 am

Tue, 18 Feb 2014 05:54:49 GMT

A.R.T. members alerted the A.R.T. Board this weekend of the sad news of the death of Leonora Gidlund, A.R.T. member and the recently retired Director of the New York City Municipal Archives, who passed away on Friday, February 14, 2014.

Leonora's funeral will be held tomorrow:

Tuesday, February 18, 201410:00 am
Holy Name of Jesus
Shepherds Hall (basement of church)
Brooklyn, NY

The wake calling hours were held Sunday and Monday at Joseph Duffy Funeral Home (a.ka. M. J. Smith Funeral Home, 255 Ninth Street, Brooklyn, NY (718-499-8700).

Messages of condolence may be posted at the funeral home website:

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Leonora-Gidlund&lc=7317&pid=169677665&mid=5856486

Leonora was part of the Municipal Archives staff for over 28 years, most recently as Director of the Municipal Archives at New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) a position from which she retired in 2013. She was recognized by the Sloan Public Service Award in 2006, whose committee was headed by Caroline Kennedy. She was honored for making the Municipal Archives more accessible having helped to retrieve and restore 1,100 cartons of builder Robert Moses' moldy papers and helped assemble and preserve tributes made for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Many lauded Leonora’s ability to preserve while providing access to collection materials. She also pushed for the Municipal Archives to be part of a strong stand alone entity within the Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) and fully supported the NYC vital records index digitization project.

Her contributions to the archives profession were many; their impact, and her presence, will be felt for generations to come.

Lenora is survived by her husband Lennart Gidlund, a son, and a granddaughter.

FYI - 2006 press about Leonora:

2006 New York Times article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/15/nyregion/15sloan.html?_r=0

2006 NY Daily News article:
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/boroughs/6-city-workers-honored-service-article-1.626445

A.R.T. Member News: Bruce Abrams in the New York Times

Sun, 02 Feb 2014 18:07:21 GMT

New York Court Archivist Isn’t Letting Retirement Stop Him

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/02/02/nyregion/new-york-court-archivist-isnt-letting-retirement-stop-him.html?_r=0&referrer=

ART Member Lindsey Wyckoff Appointed as Metropolitan Archivist's New Editor-in-Chief!!

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 14:47:11 GMT

The Communications Committee is pleased to announce that Lindsey Wyckoff has joined the Metropolitan Archivist team as our new Editor-in-Chief! We’ve enjoyed working with Lindsey in her current role as Metropolitan Archivist’s book reviews editor and look forward to continuing the great partnership with her.

Lindsey is currently the Archivist & Special Collections Librarian at Bank Street College of Education. She began working at Bank Street in 2005 shortly after receiving her master’s degree in Librarian and Information Science from Simmons College. As a lone arranger at Bank Street, Lindsey manages the Archival program and special collections and assists with planning and marketing events for the Center for Children's Literature.

A native of New Hampshire, Lindsey enjoys traveling, reading, running, and pilates in her spare time. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Wyckoff House Museum in Brooklyn, NY.

Please join us in celebrating Lindsey for the hard work she's done for us since 2011 and in welcoming and congratulating her on her new role!

A.R.T. & the new Regional Archival Associations Consortium (RAAC)

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 00:13:16 GMT

Did you know that the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. played a major role in creating the new Regional Archival Associations Consortium (RAAC)?

The RAAC provides an official venue for information exchange amongst the leadership of regional archival organizations, and amongst the Regionals and the Society of American Archivists. The Group serves as a formal entity for fostering collaboration among the Regionals, and between the Regionals and SAA. It offers formal channels to coordinate efforts intra-state, interstate, and with SAA which facilitate streamlining actions, reducing costs, and increasing services to archivists around the nation. Such efforts include but are not limited to advocacy, public awareness, education, disaster planning/recovery, and grant development.

Rachel Chatalbash, Past President of A.R.T., has been elected to the RAAC Steering Committee.

More information on the RAAC can be found on the Group’s website: http://www2.archivists.org/groups/regional-archival-associations-consortium-raac

Call for Submissions Metropolitan Archivist Winter 2014 Edition

Sun, 27 Oct 2013 20:18:00 GMT

Call for Submissions
Metropolitan Archivist
Winter 2014 Edition

The Editors of the Metropolitan Archivist are seeking
submissions from members of the Archivists Round
Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.).
Please consider submitting an article to heighten
awareness, enlighten colleagues, reach a larger audience,
and add your voice to our collective professional
conversation!

Use our online Submission Form for all your submissions.
All submissions are due by December 15, 2013.
We are seeking submissions for the following sections:
➔ ART News
➔ Feature Articles
➔ Exhibition Reviews
➔ Repository Profiles
➔ Interviews
➔ "Reaching Out"
➔ Citing Collections
➔ Book Reviews

Submissions Guidelines
The deadline for all submissions for this issue of Metropolitan Archivist is
December 15, 2013. Please use the online Metropolitan Archivist
Submission Form to upload articles and images. Articles and submissions will
be subject to review by the Editors for grammar and syntax. Some articles
may be edited for length. If substantive changes are made, the article will be
returned to the author for review before publishing. General inquiries can be
made to the Editor.

Permission to use images online will be required for all contributors. If you
have images to submit with your article, first advise your organization that
the Metropolitan Archivist is an online publication before submitting any
images. Then complete, review, and sign the Permission to Publish Images
Form. Please send the completed form to editor@nycarchivists.org.

*
The Metropolitan Archivist staff is extremely grateful to our members who send us
contributions for each issue. We appreciate this show of support for ART and the
metropolitan New York archives community. Thank you!

New York Archvies Week: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12

Sat, 12 Oct 2013 14:33:38 GMT

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12

Mount Sinai Archives; "Reaching Out to the Inside: Internal Publications Over the Years," Exhibit, 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., all week, exhibit closes December 31, 2013.

Monmouth County Archives; Archives Week Programs, Program, Exhibit, Tour, and Lecture, October 7, 9, 12; see Event Descriptions for daily times; October 12: Archives and History Day, 9:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m

The New York Society Library; "Extraordinary Gifts: Rare Books Presented to the New York Society Library 1754-2012," 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., open daily through December 31, 2013, see ongoing exhibits and programs below for times for each day.

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.), co-sponsored by National Archives at New York City and Association of Teachers of Social Studies and the United Federation of Teachers (ATSS/UFT); K-12 Archives Education Institute (AEI), Panel Discussion and Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; "Pioneering Poet of Light: Florence Vandamm & the Vandamm Studio," Exhibit, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 pm, closes February 28, 2014, see Ongoing Exhibits and Programs below for times for each day.

Maple Grove Association/Aquinas Honor Society/The Josephine Foundation; President/Cemetery Historian/Steward of the Maple Grove Archives, Self-Guided Afternoon Walking Tour and Evening Concert, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

You may view the A.R.T. 2013 New York Archives Week Calendar here.

Don't forget to tag your AW related posts with #ARTNYAW so we can find them!

A.R.T. acknowledges the continued support of MetLife, a major sponsor of New York Archives Week, and generous support from the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

New York Archives Week: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11

Fri, 11 Oct 2013 03:08:15 GMT

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11

Mount Sinai Archives
“Reaching Out to the Inside: Internal Publications Over the Years,” Exhibit, 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., all week, exhibit closes December 31, 2013.

The New York Society Library
“Extraordinary Gifts: Rare Books Presented to the New York Society Library 1754-2012,” 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., open daily through December 31, 2013, see ongoing exhibits and programs below for times for each day.

ART | library deco
The Online Debut: ART | library deco, Google Hangout-Online Exhibit of Archival African American Arts Blog, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
“Pioneering Poet of Light: Florence Vandamm & the Vandamm Studio,” Exhibit, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 pm, closes February 28, 2014, see Ongoing Exhibits and Programs below for times for each day.

Trinity Wall Street Archives
Tour of Trinity Church and Archives, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

The Waldorf Astoria Hotel
"Uniquely Waldorf", Exhibit, 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

New Museum
"Preserving Artist-Originated Audiovisual Materials: XFR STN at the New Museum", Program and Panel Discussion, 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

You may view the A.R.T. 2013 New York Archives Week Calendar here.

Don't forget to tag your AW related posts with #ARTNYAW so we can find them!

A.R.T. acknowledges the continued support of MetLife, a major sponsor of New York Archives Week, and generous support from the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

Archives Week: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10

Thu, 10 Oct 2013 04:31:54 GMT

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10

Mount Sinai Archives
“Reaching Out to the Inside: Internal Publications Over the Years,” Exhibit, 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., all week, exhibit closes December 31, 2013.

The New York Society Library
“Extraordinary Gifts: Rare Books Presented to the New York Society Library 1754-2012,” Exhibit, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; open daily through December 31, 2013, see ongoing exhibits and programs below for times for each day.

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
“Pioneering Poet of Light: Florence Vandamm & the Vandamm Studio,” Exhibit, 12:00 p.m.-8:00 pm, closes February 28, 2014, see Ongoing Exhibits and Programs below for times for each day.

The Associated Press Corporate Archives
“The Unquiet American: Malcolm Browne in Saigon, 1961-1965,” Exhibit, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Cloisters Library and Archives; Tour, 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Queens College Special Collections and Archives
Open House and Launch of "Civil Rights at Queens College: 50 Years Forward," Exhibit, Open House, and Speakers, 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Paul Taylor Dance Company
Archives Tours, 3:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.-5:15 p.m. and Studio Talk and Demonstration, 4:15 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.)
25th Anniversary A.R.T. Awards Ceremony, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Interference Archive
Open House, Exhibit, and Tour, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

You may view the A.R.T. 2013 New York Archives Week Calendar here.

National Archives at New York City Event 10/8/13 CANCELLED - Goverment Shutdown

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Please be advised that today's event at National Archives at New York City (NARA-NYC) is cancelled due to the government shutdown. Please be sure to check back for their ongoing exhibit when business resumes at NARA-NYC.

National Archives at New York City, National Archives Open House (Exhibit, Tour, and Learning Activities)

Tuesday, October 8, 2013, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.(Open House); Ongoing: Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and first Saturday of every month 10:00 a.m.-4:00p.m. CANCELLED due to government shutdown.

Open House at the National Archives new location in the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S Custom House building will take place on October 8, 2013, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Come tour our facility, go on an archival adventure, start your family history research, view our original documents gallery and more. Additional Details for October Archives Month events will be posted on our website: www.archives.gov/nyc In addition, the National Archives at New York City, Welcome Center Gallery has an ongoing exhibit which highlights original documents in its “New York on the Record” gallery. This exhibit is free and open to all visitors seeking a glimpse of original records that capture our national story. “New York on the Record” shows the connection between our records, our government and our history. The ongoing exhibit is open Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and fist Saturdays of the month 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Ongoing Exhibit currently closed.

Website: www.archives.gov
Location: National Archives at New York City, One Bowling Green, 3rd Floor, Learning Center, New York, NY

RSVP to newyork.archives@nara.gov

New York Archives Week: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 01:19:25 GMT

New York Archives Week: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9

Mount Sinai Archives
“Reaching Out to the Inside: Internal Publications Over the Years,” Exhibit, 7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., all week, exhibit closes December 31, 2013.

Monmouth County Archives
Archives Week Programs, Program, Exhibit, Tour, and Lecture, October 7, 9, 12;see Event Descriptions for daily times; October 9 Seminars: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

The New York Society Library
“Extraordinary Gifts: Rare Books Presented to the New York Society Library1754-2012,” Exhibit, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., open daily through December 31, 2013.

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Library and Archives
Large-scale Collaboration and Digitization at ColdSpring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Library & Archives, Tour and Lecture, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Girl Scouts of the USA, National Historic Preservation Center (NHPC)
“National Historic Preservation Center Archives Assessment Project 2012-2013”, Program, Exhibit and Tour, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
“Pioneering Poet of Light: Florence Vandamm & the Vandamm Studio,” Exhibit, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 pm, closes February 28, 2014.

Long Island University
Digital Initiatives and Art Image Library, Open House and Tour, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Exhibit and Tour, 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Jewish Theological Seminary
“It’s complicated! Introducing the Johanna Spector Archive and the Jews of Cochin, India,” Introduction of person and materials, a small exhibit, film screening, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Brooklyn Historical Society
"If These Walls Could Talk: Unearthing a Brooklyn building's story using primarysources,” Workshop, 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m

For A.R.T.'s 2013 New York Archives Week Calendar:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/170030423/New-York-Archives-Week-2013-Calendar

For a map of 2013 New York Archives Week events: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=z8B0M9H6SXrI.kIgqyPS1_hlM

Don't forget to tag your AW related posts with #ARTNYAW so we can find them!

A.R.T. acknowledges the continued support of MetLife, a major sponsor of New York Archives Week, and generous support from the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

New York Archives Week: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8

Tue, 08 Oct 2013 00:47:59 GMT

New York Archives Week: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8

New York Archives Week Calendar

Mount Sinai Archives
“Reaching Out to the Inside: Internal Publications Over the Years, Exhibit,”
7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., all week, exhibit closes December 31, 2013.

The New York Society Library
“Extraordinary Gifts: Rare Books Presented to the New York Society Library 1754-2012,” Exhibit, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; open daily through December 31, 2013.

American Bible Society
“The Bible in America: A History of American Bible Society,” Exhibit,12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
“Pioneering Poet of Light: Florence Vandamm & the Vandamm Studio,” Exhibit, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 pm, closes February 28, 2014.

National Archives at New York City
National Archives Open House, Exhibit, Tour, and Learning Activities,1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO GOVERMENT SHUTDOWN.

Center for Jewish History
"Preservation at Home" and Behind the Scenes Tour and Informal discussion withQ&A and handouts, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Oyster Bay Historical Society
Preservation Workshop: Family Scrapbooks, 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

For A.R.T.'s 2013 New York Archives Week Calendar:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/170030423/New-York-Archives-Week-2013-Calendar

For a map of 2013 New York Archives Week events: https://mapsengine.google.com/map/viewer?mid=z8B0M9H6SXrI.kIgqyPS1_hlM

Don't forget to tag your AW related posts with #ARTNYAW so we can find them!

A.R.T. acknowledges the continued support of MetLife, a major sponsor of New York Archives Week, and generous support from the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

New York Archives Week: MONDAY, OCTOBER 7

Sun, 06 Oct 2013 03:12:44 GMT

New York Archives Week: MONDAY, OCTOBER 7

New York Archives Week Calendar

Mount Sinai Archives
"Reaching Out to the Inside: Internal Publications Over the Years," Exhibit
7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., all week, exhibit closes December 31, 2013.

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.), co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish History
"Disaster Planning for Archives and their Communities," Full-day Symposium
8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

The New York Society Library
"Extraordinary Gifts: Rare Books Presented to the New York Society Library1754-2012," 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. open daily through December 31, 2013.

Monmouth County Archives
Archives Week Programs, Program, Exhibit, Tour, and Lecture, October 7, 9, 12;see Event Descriptions for daily times; October 7 Seminars: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
"Pioneering Poet of Light: Florence Vandamm & the Vandamm Studio," Exhibit, 12:00 p.m.-8:00 pm, closes February 28, 2014, see Ongoing Exhibits and Programs below for times for each day.

Center for Human Rights Documentation & Research, Columbia University Libraries / Information Services
"Preserving the Records of Human Rights Advocacy:
The Center for Human Rights Documentation & Research at Columbia Libraries," Panel Discussion and Open House, 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

New York City Department of Records and Information Services
"Celebrating 359 Years: Historical Moments in the NYC Jewish Experience," Exhibit
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Archives Tour
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Brooklyn Collection at Brooklyn Public Library
Open House at Brooklyn Public Library's Brooklyn Collection, Program and Tour
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

For more information about 2013 New York Archives Week events, including map and calendar:

http://www.nycarchivists.org/archivesweek

For A.R.T.'s 2013 New York Archives Week Calendar:

http://www.nycarchivists.org/Resources/Documents/2013_ART_NewYorkArchivesWeek_Calendar.pdf

Don't forget to tag your New York Archive related posts with #ARTNYAW so we can find them!

A.R.T. acknowledges the continued support of MetLife, a major sponsor of New York Archives Week, and generous support from the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

New York Archives Week: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2013

Sun, 06 Oct 2013 02:43:13 GMT

Mount Sinai Archives
"Reaching Out to the Inside: Internal Publications Over the Years," Exhibit
7:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., all week, exhibit closes December 31, 2013.

The New York Society Library
"Extraordinary Gifts: Rare Books Presented to the New York Society Library1754-2012," Exhibit, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., open daily through December 31, 2013.

For more information about 2013 New York Archives Week events, including map and calendar:
http://www.nycarchivists.org/archivesweek

For A.R.T.'s 2013 New York Archives Week Calendar:
http://www.nycarchivists.org/Resources/Documents/2013_ART_NewYorkArchivesWeek_Calendar.pdf

Don't forget to tag your New York Archive related posts with #ARTNYAW so we can find them!

A.R.T. acknowledges the continued support of MetLife, a major sponsor of New York Archives Week, and generous support from the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

New York Archives Week: New York Academy of Medicine - 10/5/13, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm (NYAW Bonus Day!)

Sat, 05 Oct 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Kick off New York Archives Week 2013, October 6-12, 2013, with a bonus day visit to New York Academy of Medicine, Brandt Jackson Foundation, Festival of Medical History and the Arts. They are offering a Program, Exhibit, Tour, Lecture, Workshop, Festival and Open Day. See the mention in Andy Newman's "New York Today" column online in The New York Times.

Saturday, October 5, 2013, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. (New York Archives Week bonus day)

Location: New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, New York, NY

RSVP is not required.

Website: www.nyam.org and www.nyamcenterforhistory.org

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NYAMHistFest #NYAMHistFest

https://www.facebook.com/nyamcenterforhistory

Image courtesy of New York Academy of Medicine.

The New York Academy of Medicine's Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health presents its first all-day festival on October 5, 2013, celebrating artists, scholars, writers and thinkers working at the intersections of history, medicine, art and the humanities. Free events on three floors are open to the public without registration from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The widely varied program includes an exhibition of some of the Center's more than 500,000 volumes, behind-the-scenes tours of its book and paper conservation laboratory, and other historical gems, plus a rarely screened film from the National Library of Medicine’s collection starring Gene Kelly as a sailor suffering combat fatigue. The Center will also welcome two guest curators. Lawrence Weschler will present one of his well-known “Wonder Cabinets” and curate a day of presentations with speakers including Oliver Sacks, Bill Hayes, Riva Lehrer, and Jane Gauntlett. Brooklyn’s Morbid Anatomy will present anatomical drawing workshops, a medical wax moulage demonstration, and speakers exploring the surprisingly fertile intersections of art and medicine. More information at www.nyamcenterforhistory.org and http://www.nyam.org/events/2013/docs/festival-of-medical-history.html

ART Awards Ceremony Journal Ads Opportunity - DEADLINE EXTENDED: 09/30/13, midnight

Sun, 22 Sep 2013 11:52:29 GMT

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.) will celebrate the 25th anniversary of New York Archives Week October 6-12, 2013. New York Archives Week’s premier event, the A.R.T Awards Ceremony, will be held on October 10, 2013. The A.R.T. Awards Ceremony is the only awards program in the metropolitan New York area dedicated to honoring the work of archivists and recognizing those institutions and individuals who provide vital support to archival programs.

Commemorative Journals containing celebratory wishes for our honorees and advertisements from the broader professional community will be issued at the ceremony and will be available on the A.R.T. website after the event. Including a message in the commemorative journal is an effective way to publish a statement to an honoree or to promote your business to the New York archives community.

More details about the A.R.T. Awards Ceremony Journal Opportunity may be found here. All journal ads and payment must be received by by Monday, September 30, 2013, midnight.

If you have any issues with the process of placing a journal ad, please contact: development@nycarchivists.org

If you have general questions about the ART Awards Ceremony, please email ART Awards Chair, Bonnie Marie Sauer: awards@nycarchivists.org

A.R.T. acknowledges the ongoing support of MetLife as major sponsor of New York Archives Week and the generous support of the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

This is a reminder for CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: New York Archives Week 2013 Events for public calendar - DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 09/06/2013

Sat, 31 Aug 2013 01:10:38 GMT

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) celebrates the 25th anniversary of New York Archives Week October 6-12, 2013. We encourage participation in this big celebration and invite you and your repositories to plan an event or to list ongoing events that occur during New York Archives Week which echo the spirit of this celebration.

PLAN YOUR EVENT

Suggested New York Archives Week events include:

• Event of your choosing for 3 or 300 or 3,000!

• Open House, highlighting repository materials

• Tours of your company, institution, repository

• Exhibit utilizing materials from your repository

• Showcase current projects, either in progress or recently completed

• Report on grant-funded activities/projects

• Researcher talk/presentation on the value of your repository collections to his/her research

• Illustrate use of your repository's collection for outreach

• Film screening or festival using moving images from your repository

• Lunchtime or anytime talks by archivists, historians, and other researchers

• Informal discussions for the public to understand your collection and meet repository personnel

• Organize a walking tour of your repository's neighborhood

Let the public know what you do. New York Archives Week is the perfect time to create awareness of your repository. ART will include your event on the public calendar which will also be highlighted in New York Archives Week publicity. For more suggestions on types of events, see the 2012 New York Archives Week Calendar.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

Submit your event online by Friday, September 6, 2013, 2:00 pm. Complete event details, including event date, time and location must be determined prior to submission. Please do not use this form to submit proposals for regular ART Monthly Programming events; those may be sent to programming@nycarchivists.org for future consideration.

We appreciate your submission via our online form, but if for some reason you need to submit your event via email, you may download a New York Archives Week Event Form in Word which you can download to complete and submit via email to: secretary@nycarchivists.org

QUESTIONS CONCERNING SUBMISSIONS may be sent to: secretary@nycarchivists.org

New York Archives Week events are designed to raise public awareness of the importance of preserving and making accessible our documentary heritage. Activities include a wide range of programming, including lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and tours of repositories, all free and open to the public. In addition, as part of an effort to draw public attention to New York Archives Week and highlight the importance of our repositories and collections, ART will sponsor three events: a full-day symposium co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish History titled “Disaster Planning for Archives and their Communities” (October 7), honor our colleagues at the annual ART Awards Ceremony (October 10), and the fourth annual K-12 Archives Education Institute.

ART acknowledges MetLife as a major sponsor of New York Archives Week.

Best Regards,

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART)

CALL FOR EVENT SUBMISSIONS: New York Archives Week 2013 - DEADLINE 08/30/2013

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 00:17:42 GMT

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) celebrates the 25th anniversary of New York Archives Week October 6-12, 2013. We encourage participation in this big celebration and invite you and your repositories to plan an event or to list ongoing events that also occur during New York Archives Week which echo the spirit of this celebration.

PLAN YOUR EVENT

Suggested New York Archives Week activities include:

Event of your choosing for 3 or 300 or 3,000!
Open House, highlighting repository materials
Tours of your company, institution, repository
Exhibit utilizing materials from your repository
Report on grant-funded activities/projects
Researcher talk/presentation on the value of your repository collections to his/her research
Film screening or festival using moving images from your repository
Lunchtime or anytime talks by archivists, historians, and other researchers.
Informal discussions for the public to understand your collection and meet repository personnel.
Organize a walking tour of your repository's neighborhood.

Let the public know what you do. New York Archives Week is the perfect time to create awareness of your repository. ART will include your event on the public calendar which will also be highlighted in New York Archives Week publicity. For more suggestions on types of events, see the 2012 New York Archives Week Calendar.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

Submit your event online by Friday, August 30, 2013, 2:00 pm. Complete event details, including event date, time and location must be determined prior to submission. Please do not use this form to submit proposals for regular ART Monthly Programming events; those may be sent to programming@nycarchivists.org for future consideration.

We appreciate your submission via our online form, but if for some reason you need to submit your event via email, you may downoad a New York Archives Week Event Form in Word which you can download to complete and submit via email to: secretary@nycarchivists.org

QUESTIONS CONCERNING SUBMISSIONS may be sent to: secretary@nycarchivists.org

is a major sponsor of New York Archives Week.

ART Brand Identity Preference - Thank you for your participation!

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 02:56:42 GMT

We would like to thank all of our ART members who responded to the

ART Brand Identity Preference form.

The ART Board will meet on Tuesday, August 27th to review all the

responses and thoughtful comments. Following the review,

the ART Board will vote on a final direction and work with the

graphic designer John Seckler to complete ART's refreshed brand.

Thank you once again for your participation and interest!

Archives Week Celebrates Its 25th Year! Don’t Miss Out! Tell Us About Your Archives Week Event!

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 03:20:13 GMT

This fall, the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.) will be celebrating its 25th Annual New York Archives Week, October 6th - 12th, 2013. Archives Week events are designed to raise the public’s awareness of the importance of preserving and making accessible our documentary heritage. Activities include a wide range of programming, including lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and tours of repositories, all free and open to the public. We encourage participation in this big celebration and urge you and your repositories to plan an Archives Week event.

In addition, as part of an effort to draw public attention to Archives Week and highlight the importance of our repositories and collections, ART will sponsor three events: we will co-sponsor a full-day symposium with the Center for Jewish History titled “Disaster Planning for Archives and their Communities” (October 7), honor our colleagues at our annual Awards Ceremony (October 10), and host the fourth annual K-12 Archives Education Institute.

PLAN YOUR EVENT

Suggested Archives Week activities:

* Hold an open house, highlighting unique materials held by your repository.

* Mount an exhibit using materials from your repository.

* Demonstrate or report on activities/projects supported by grants.

* Ask a researcher to speak on the value of your collections to his/her research.

* Present a film festival using films or videos held by your repository.

* Sponsor lunchtime talks by archivists, historians, and other researchers.

* Organize a walking tour of your repository's neighborhood.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

Submit your event online by Friday, August 30, 2013, 2:00 pm. Complete event details, including event date, time and location must be determined prior to submission. Please do not use this form to submit proposals for regular ART Monthly Programming events; those may be sent to programming@nycarchivists.org for future consideration.

EVENT SUBMISSION FORM: https://nycarchivists.wufoo.com/forms/art-new-york-archives-week-2013-submission-form/

QUESTIONS CONCERNING SUBMISSIONS may be sent to: secretary@nycarchivists.org

A.R.T. acknowledges continued support from MetLife, a major sponsor of New York Archives Week and generous support from the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

Metropolitan Archivist Summer 2013 Issue Now Available!

Sun, 11 Aug 2013 16:45:02 GMT

The Summer 2013 issue of the Metropolitan Archivist is now available!

Available on the ART website & Scribd.

In this issue:

Special thanks and appreciation goes out to ART President Pamela Cruz and the ART Board, all our contributors for their patience and understanding for the delay in publishing, and the Metropolitan Archivist Staff.

Unsubscribe

DEADLINE 8/30/2013, 2:00 pm - Archives Week Celebrates Its 25th Year! Start Planning Your Archives Week Event NOW!

Fri, 26 Jul 2013 15:03:38 GMT

PLAN YOUR EVENT

Suggested Archives Week activities:

* Hold an open house, highlighting unique materials held by your repository.

* Mount an exhibit using materials from your repository.

* Demonstrate or report on activities/projects supported by grants.

* Ask a researcher to speak on the value of your collections to his/her research.

* Present a film festival using films or videos held by your repository.

* Sponsor lunchtime talks by archivists, historians, and other researchers.

* Organize a walking tour of your repository's neighborhood.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS

EVENT SUBMISSION FORM: https://nycarchivists.wufoo.com/forms/art-new-york-archives-week-2013-submission-form/

QUESTIONS CONCERNING SUBMISSIONS may be sent to: secretary@nycarchivists.org

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) recognizes the generous support of MetLife as a major sponsor of New York Archives Week.

DEADLINE 08/01/13, midnight - Call for Proposals - ART Symposium: Disaster Planning for Archives and their Communities

Sun, 21 Jul 2013 19:20:53 GMT

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) in conjunction with the Center for Jewish History (CJH), is organizing a one-day symposium with the aim of bringing together archivists, records managers, librarians, museum professionals, emergency responders, disaster recovery professionals, volunteers and the general public to address how professional and citizen archivists as well as related professionals can both better protect their collections from disaster and also become a resource for the larger community in disaster situations.

Symposium Date: Monday, October 7, 2013

Location: Center for Jewish History (CJH), New York, NY

Proposal Deadline: August 1, 2013, midnight

Submissions: Email to: admin@nycarchivists.org

Guidelines: All individual presentations will be 20 minutes long (10 page paper). Submissions must include a title, name of author and institutional affiliation (if applicable), abstract (250 words max) and indication of technological requirements. Individual papers or entire panel proposals accepted. Please do not contact ART's co-sponsor and host venue, CJH, concerning submissions; all questions concerning symposium submissions should be sent to: admin@nycarchivists.org

See the Event Posting on the ART website for more information.

ART Annual Meeting 2013 - Election Results

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 03:34:00 GMT

On 17 June 2013 the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) Annual Meeting and June Programming Event, co-sponsored by the Center for Jewish History, New York City was held at the Leo and Julia Forchheimer Auditorium at the Center for Jewish (CJH). At the meeting, ART members voted, as well as by ballot via email, electing the open positions on the ART Board of Directors.

Pamela Cruz, ART Vice President/President Elect, and Mitchell Brodsky, Treasurer, delivered the ART Annual Meeting on behalf the Board of Directors. After the meeting, Kevin Schlottmann (Center for Jewish History) moderated a discussion on processing large collections with panelists Mimi Bowling (consulting archivist), Bonnie Marie Sauer (National Archives at New York City), and Susan Woodland (American Jewish Historical Society).

2013 Election Results:

Vice President (2013–2014) President (2014–2015)

Ryan Anthony Donaldson

Treasurer (2013-2015)

Lindsay Turley

Director of the Education Committee (2013–2015)

Julie Maher

Director of the Programming Committee (2013–2015)

Nick Pavlik

Director of the Communications Committee (2013–2014)

Wanett Clyde

Pamela Cruz, Vice President 2012-2013, will serve as President for 2013-2014 to complete her term, per the bylaws approved by ART Membership in May 2012. Melissa Bowling, Secretary, Anne Petrimoulx, Director of the Membership Committee and Janet Bunde, Director of the Outreach and Advocacy Committee all continue their board position terms through June 2014.

ART thanks outgoing Board Members Rachel Chatalbash, Mitchell Brodsky and Karen Murphy for their contributions as President, Treasurer and Director of the Education Committee respectively.

Current and Former ART Board Members on Volunteering for the ART Board (Nominations Open through 05/30/13, mindnight)

Wed, 29 May 2013 16:15:01 GMT

It is not to late to nominate a colleague or yourself for the ART Board for 2013-2014. Deadline is 05/30/13, midnight. For more information on open positions, vist the nominations ART web site post. You may also email the ART Vice President with any questions concerning the positions or elections: veep@nycarchivists.org

See what current and former ART Board Members say about volunteering for ART Board service:

“New York boasts the most varied archival community in the world – government, finance, labor, museums, performing arts, higher education, social services, fashion, libraries, manufacturing, sports, advertising, newspapers, and on and on. All of us, all of our collections are connected because we work within this remarkable City. Being an officer of the Archivists Round Table expanded my understanding of this dedicated, professional community unlike anything I did before or since. I learned who was who, and how our collections, even tangentially related to one another. I worked with a great team of officers who wanted to get things done, support each other, and bring archives more to the forefront of our society where they belong. All of this experience I brought “home” to the Philharmonic which made my work within the organization richer, more robust and even more respected. Although not true, I seemed to know everybody, dead or alive. At the first Archives Week, while talking with an executive from the New York Stock Exchange about Philharmonic Board members who he knew had been involved with the Exchange, he paid me… all of us, a great compliment, he said “I’ve never met a boring archivist.” Make something happen. Run for office. You will always be glad that you did.”

Barbara Haws

Archivist and Historian, New York Philharmonic Archives

President, Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) (1988 - 1991)

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"Being an ART Board Member has been very enriching. It has not only given me the opportunity to meet and work with people who have similar interests, but also interact with people who have different perspectives and backgrounds. There are opportunities to select committees and activities that you want to dedicate your time to, allowing you to develop new skills and utilize other talents you have – opportunities for development you may not have at your job."

Melissa Bowling

Secretary, Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) (2012-2014)

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“As a new archivist, serving on the ART Board of Directors, first as Membership Coordinator and then as Education Director, has been an extremely broadening and rewarding experience. It provided me with valuable leadership and organizational experience and most importantly introduced me to an incredible network of local archivists and information professionals who have become valued colleagues and friends.”

Karen Murphy

Director of the Education Committee (2012-2013), Membership Coordinator (2008 – 2010),

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART)

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Archives Week 2013 - October 6-12 - SAVE THE DATES!

Fri, 10 May 2013 03:22:32 GMT

1990 Archives Week poster advertised on the Metropolitan Transit Authority New York City subway.
We welcome your ideas and creativity for this year's Archives Week! Image via ART's Flickr.

Archives Week 2013 - October 6-12 - SAVE THE DATES!

Sunny days are ahead, students are wrapping up their studies, and the Board of Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) would like to thank you for another wonderful year and wish you a very merry Summer!

Don’t forget! This fall, the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) will be celebrating its 25th Annual New York Archives Week, October 6th - 12th, 2013. Archives Week events are designed to raise the public’s awareness of the importance of preserving and making accessible our documentary heritage. Activities include a wide range of programming, including lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and tours of repositories, all free and open to the public. We encourage participation in this big celebration and urge you and your repositories to plan an Archives Week event.

Suggested Archives Week activities:

* Hold an open house, highlighting unique materials held by your repository.

* Mount an exhibit using materials from your repository.

* Demonstrate or report on activities/projects supported by grants.

* Ask a researcher to speak on the value of your collections to his/her research.

* Present a film festival using films or videos held by your repository.

* Sponsor lunchtime talks by archivists, historians, and other researchers.

* Organize a walking tour of your repository's neighborhood.

In addition, as part of an effort to draw public attention to Archives Week and highlight the importance of our repositories and collections, ART will sponsor three events: we will honor our colleagues at our annual Awards Ceremony, we will hold a full-day symposium, and host the fourth annual K-12 Archives Education Institute.

Additional information about New York Archives Week and event submissions for the Archives Week calendar will be announced on the website in July.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: ART Board of Directors - Deadline is 05/30/13, midnight)

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:40:53 GMT

The Board of Directors of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) announces the official call for nominations for Board positions available for the 2013 - 2014 election year. Terms shall commence at the conclusion of the ART Annual Meeting in June. Deadline for nomination submissions is Thursday, 30 May 2013, midnight EST. Self-nominations are welcomed.

Volunteering for ART Board service is an opportunity to utilize skills and expertise outside the scope of your daily work and to connect with fellow archives professionals. Serving on the ART Board offers many benefits, including gaining leadership experience, the experience to manage committee projects, and, most importantly, serving as a representative for your colleagues and for ART membership. Positions are two-year terms, with the exception of the Vice President, which is a one-year term, following which the Vice President becomes President without an election. This election season, ART will also hold an election to fill a Board vacancy. After the nominations period closes, each candidate will provide a short biography and candidate statement for the ballot, due by 1 June 2013, midnight EST; a digital photograph is also strongly suggested to be included on the ballot.

Vice President (Two Year Term: 1 year Vice President, 1 Year President)

Treasurer (Two Year Term.)

The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of, and be responsible for, all funds, securities and for ART; shall receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to ART, deposit all such moneys in the name on behalf of Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc., and handle ART’s financial business according to the ART By-laws. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the accuracy of the amounts of all moneys disbursed; shall regularly enter or cause to be entered in books to be kept by him or her or under his or her direction full and adequate account of all moneys received or paid for the account of ART. The Treasurer reports to the President or the Board, whenever the President or the Board, respectively, shall require him or her so to do, an account of the financial condition for ART and of all his or her transactions as Treasurer, and, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board or by the President. It should be noted that the ART Board will support securing outside assistance for the Treasurer (e.g. accountant) on an as needed basis to ensure that ART’s financial needs are in compliance.

Director of the Education Committee (Two Year Term)

The Director of the Education Committee shall determine the continuing educational needs of the archival community; make recommendations to the Board for both short-term and long-term projects for ART sponsorship; and propose topics and make arrangements for a minimum of three education programs annually. Education events may be offered in addition to the regular monthly or offered as the regular monthly program, but must be coordinated with the Programming Committee.

Director of the Programming Committee (Two Year Term.)

The Director Programming Committee shall recommend to the Board topics and venue locations for regular programs; distribute the notice of the program topics and venue locations to the Members; and make all arrangements for regular programs, including alternate arrangements, as necessary. The Programming Committee shall coordinate with other Members of ART to insure that at least one program per month will be offered between the months of September and June, or as otherwise determined by the Board.

Director of the Communications Committee (One Year Term; Board vacancy as of 06/17/13.)

The Director of the Communications Committee shall identify the communications requirements of ART; update and produce publications for ART, as needed, or as requested by the Board; communicate the concerns of ART on various subjects as needed; and perform other duties applicable to the office as prescribed by the Board.

For further information about ART’s governance structure and the above positions, please see the by laws on the ART web site.

Nominations are officially open to all current ART members. Please email Pamela Cruz, ART Vice President at veep@nycarchivists.org with subject line “ART Board Nomination” if you would like to nominate someone, including yourself, for a position on the ART Board. Please send submissions ASAP; the final deadline for nominations is Thursday, 30 May, midnight EST.

If there are any questions about the open positions, or this year's election, please contact the ART Vice President: veep@nycarchivists.org

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: ART Awards Ceremony – Deadline EXTENDED to 05/22/13, midnight

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:33:57 GMT

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) presents four awards annually during New York Archives Week. This year's Awards Ceremony, which marks the 25th Anniversary of New York Archives Week, will take place on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the New York Junior League, New York City, following a reception at 6:00pm.

ART members are invited to submit nominations for worthy colleagues, archival organizations, and innovative projects. The awards acknowledge distinguished work and long term achievements in our profession. Nominees must be members of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. or operate within the New York metropolitan area.

To submit a nomination, please use the online form:

http://artawards.wufoo.com/forms/art-awards-nominations-form/

The ART Awards Committee will be accepting nominations through midnight May 22, 2013.

Please use the following definitions of the awards to select candidates:

OUTSTANDING SUPPORT OF ARCHIVES recognizes an individual or organization “for notable contributions to archival records or archives programs through political, financial or moral support.” Recent recipients include Art Spaces Archives Project, New York City Council Member Gale Brewer, and the Leon Levy Foundation. 

INNOVATIVE USE OF ARCHIVES recognizes an individual or organization “for use of archival material in a meaningful and creative way, making a significant contribution to a community or body of people, and demonstrating the relevance of archival materials to its subject.” Recent recipients include NYPL Labs, Muslim World Music Day, and The Jazz Loft Project.

ARCHIVAL ACHIEVEMENT recognizes an individual or archival program “that has made an outstanding contribution to the archival profession, or a notable achievement of value to the archives community, its patrons or constituents.” Recent recipients include Stephen E. Novak, A.C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University Medical Center, Barbara Haws, New York Philharmonic and Grace Lile, Witness.

EDUCATIONAL USE OF ARCHIVES recognizes and celebrates “an individual or organization who utilizes primary source materials to create engaging and informative learning experiences for diverse audiences.” Recent recipients include Museum of the Moving Image for The Living Room Candidate project and the Aquinas Honor Society of the Immaculate Conception School. Please send questions to Bonnie Marie Sauer, ART Awards Committee Chair. For more information about the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. New York Archives Week Awards Ceremony, please visit the ART website.

ART Featured in The New York Times article "Leaving Cloister of Dusty Offices, Young Archivists Meet Like Minds"

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:33:14 GMT

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. was featured in The New York Times article "Leaving Cloister of Dusty Offices, Young Archivists Meet Like Minds."

The article is available online-

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/29/nyregion/archivists-bringing-past-into-future-are-now-less-cloistered.html?hpw&gwh=81AE264FC99AD3B3F4A2CB45F89E7AC4

NYAC 2013 Announcement

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:04:27 GMT

Join your colleagues at the New York Archives Conference (NYAC) 2013 annual meeting at LIU Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville, NY on Wednesday, June 5 through Friday, June 7, 2013.

This year’s conference will be a joint meeting with the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan NY, Inc., (ART) and will be co-sponsored by the Palmer School of Library and Information Science at LIU Post Campus.

The conference program will include a day of workshops, a speed mentoring session, a plenary address by Jason Kucsma of the Metropolitan New York Library Council, concurrent sessions on a full range of archival topics, roundtables, a Thursday evening reception, a Friday luncheon featuring speaker Karen Falk of the Jim Henson Company Archives, and Friday afternoon tours to local archives, gardens, and historic sites.

Participants can choose to follow one of the subject tracks (digital archives and electronic records, new and small institutions, outreach, special subject archives, or a special series of workshops and sessions designed for students and new professionals) or they can select from an al a carte menu of diverse subjects such as digital preservation, web archiving, archivists and activism, performing arts archives, institutional anniversaries, social media, or censorship. A Society of American Archivists’ Digital Archives Specialist Certificate Workshop, Privacy and Confidentiality Issues in Digital Archives, kicks of the conference on Wednesday.

On-campus housing is available, and the conference is reachable via public transportation.

Conference fees are as follows: Full Conference-$65, Thursday only-$55, Friday only-$35, Full day workshop $20, Half day workshops-$15, Friday luncheon-$16; Lodging: Single room/night-$60, Double room/night-$50.

Registration information, the detailed program, conference sponsors, and professional development grant applications, are available on the NYAC website: www.nyarchivists.org.

Please note: registration closes on May 20th.

Questions concerning the conference can be sent to:
Kristine Boniello, NYAC Co-Chair, boniellk@dowling.edu

ART's Brand Refresh & Design Update

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 15:56:31 GMT

Collage created by John Seckler of ART’s posters, brochures, calendars, and letterhead, from the ART Archives.

As previously announced, the ART Communications Committee has embarked on an exciting project for the organization. Working with the graphic designer John Seckler and the ART Board, the committee will collaborate to create ART's new logo and mark. ART initiated this project in response to its growing membership and its rapidly expanding array of activities and programs.

This past November Mr. Seckler visited the ART Archives, housed at the New York Philharmonic Archives, and met with past ART President Barbara Haws and ART Board members Mitch Brodsky and Ryan Anthony Donaldson. he group toured the ART Archives, housed at the New York Philharmonic Archives. His pledge to ART:

"Create an identity system that speaks to the mission of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc., provides a foundation from which its members can promote and act on this mission, and that carries a mark, look, and feel that can help to enhance the interactions with the Archivists Round Table 'brand.'"

Taking inspiration from ART's material and visual heritage, along with the organization's history and future direction, Mr. Seckler has created “3.5” approaches for ART's new brand identity design. He will travel again to New York in April to meet with ART’s Board and participate in the organization’s first-ever design meeting.

ART members: We welcome your participation and comments in this transformative process. Please contact Ryan Anthony Donaldson, Director of the Communications Committee, at communications@nycarchivists.org if you are interested in becoming involved.

More details will be announced after the design meeting with the ART Board, so stay tuned!

Two Weeks Remain to Register With FEMA- Hurricane Sandy (Deadline is March 29th)

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 02:39:39 GMT

Originally posted by Pamela Cooley, New York State Archives, on March 15, 2013.

Two Weeks Remain to Register With FEMA

http://www.fema.gov/news-release/2013/03/15/two-weeks-remain-register-fema

*NEW YORK *– Survivors of Hurricane Sandy have two weeks to register for possible disaster assistance and to return applications for low-interest disaster loans to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The deadline for both is *March 29*.

FEMA urges everyone who sustained losses from Hurricane Sandy to register, including those who have insurance. Insurance may not cover all losses.

The 13 designated counties are: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSFEMA-720c6b?reqfrom=share

ART's Advocacy Committee Chair Tiffany Colannino Featured on the SAA Blog!

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 03:02:52 GMT

Originally published on the Society of American Archivists (SAA) website.

Creating an Advocacy Committee on the Local Level:

The Advocacy Committee of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

Guest post by Tiffany Colannino, Advocacy Committee Chair / Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

Whether it is preserving a fragile document, requesting a budget increase for supplies, or training a researcher in proper handling techniques, archivists advocate for the needs of their collections on a daily basis. But who will advocate for the preservation of un-stewarded collections; request budget increases at the state level; or train the public on the value of archival documents?

Establishing an advocacy committee – especially at the local level – provides a unified voice for a regional archives organization, and can fulfill the responsibilities listed above.

An advocacy committee exists to support the needs of the local organization’s membership, and can be established regardless of whether there are any local issues requiring immediate advocacy action. In addition to reacting to external issues, such as budget cuts at the state or municipal archives, the destruction of records at a local college, or an environmental disaster causing damage to individual and institutional records, an advocacy committee can – and should – provide practical resources for members of a regional organization.

Archival advocacy is a multi-faceted undertaking. A newly founded advocacy committee must determine where the focus of their activities is best served and establish their mission to reflect this purpose. A successful advocacy committee should maintain a balance between proactive planning and reactive action. It is essential that dedicated committee members stay current, seeking out issues related to archival advocacy. Identifying issues can be a difficult task, as many remain hidden within institutions and may not surface in the media. In order to identify these issues, it is important for an advocacy committee to collaborate with other regional organizations geared towards similar interests, such as historic preservation or cultural advocacy. Structured monthly meetings provide a platform to discuss new issues and track pre-existing concerns. Based on group discussion, the committee can determine a suitable course of action, be it disseminating information or petitions, actively attending local political meetings, writing letters to government officials, or other actions, as necessary. Maintaining an active web presence enables the committee to provide updated information about current actions, and direct emails alert members to issues that necessitate immediate action. An active website can also host practical advocacy resources for archivists.

Founded in 2010, the Advocacy Committee of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. supports a membership of over 550 professional archivists in the New York City area (a history of its founding is available on the Issues and Advocacy Roundtable’s site). The Committee has a broad yet simple mission: to provide leadership to archivists and to provide direction on important policy issues to the community as a whole. To fulfill this mission, the Committee actively disseminates information about current actions; maintains an online resource center for archivists so they can better advocate for the profession, their repositories, and themselves; and organizes meetings or workshops based on archival advocacy. The Committee serves as a voice for the archives community; reports on pending state and federal legislation in a timely manner; promotes archives and archival issues to government, decision-makers, funders, other organizations, the media and the general public; and provides resources to archivists so they can better advocate for the profession, their repositories, and themselves.

The formation of local advocacy committees helps to ensure that issues of direct relevance to archives and archivists are identified and addressed. As it stands, these committees are scarce; however, the creation of additional advocacy committees will lead to an exciting opportunity to build a regional, state, federal, or international advocacy networks, allowing archivists to share experiences and actions, resulting in a stronger voice for the archives profession.

For more information about the Advocacy Committee of Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc., please visit: www.nycarchivists.org/advocacy_committee

URL:
http://www2.archivists.org/groups/issues-and-advocacy-roundtable/blog-entry-12-creating-an-advocacy-committee-on-the-local-leve

Scholarships Available for SAA DAS Appraisal of Electronic Records Workshop

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 03:43:57 GMT

The deadline for the ART/METRO co-sponsored SAA workshop, Appraisal of Electronic Records, has been extended until March 11th. Eighteen partial scholarships are available, bringing down the cost to only $85 for SAA members.

More information is available on the METRO website: http://metro.org/events/317/

ARMA NYC All-Day Educational Event -- March 20, 2013

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 03:27:26 GMT

MARCH 20, 2013 ALL-DAY EDUCATIONAL EVENT

The ARMA METRO NEW YORK CITY CHAPTER in partnership with the ARMA CENTRAL NEW JERSEY, ARMA NORTHERN NEW JERSEY & ARMA CONNECTICUT CHAPTERS cordially invites you to attend our 2013 ALL-DAY EDUCATIONAL EVENT.

This event is designed to provide Records and Information Management Professionals of all levels (Students, Analysts, Attorneys, IT Professionals, Records Managers, Executive Management and Vendors) with the latest information, trends and skills to provide more value to their organizations. To view the Agenda, Session descriptions, speakers and sponsors, just click on the appropriate tab found on the main page.

CRM CREDITS FOR THIS EVENT ARE PENDING APPROVAL BY THE ICRM AND WILL BE POSTED SOON!!

Our Exhibit Areas will give you an opportunity to meet with a number of local, national and global vendors, solution providers and RIM experts. Visit each exhibitor to have your raffle card stamped, and then submit your completed entry for a chance to win one of several prizes.Winners will be announced at the end of the event and must be present to win.

We are offering three tracks of learning, so please review the sessions map and choose your destination. As a reminder, please select only one session per time period.

NETWORKING RECEPTION:
All registrants and sponsors are invited to attend a Networking Reception, sponsored by Gimmal and Iron Mountain, from 5:30-7:30 PM at SD26, located at 19 East 26th Street, just a short walk from New York Life.

Please join us for food, drinks, raffle prizes and catch up with your colleagues and friends at this very upscale venue. This is a great way to unwind after a day of learning. I look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,
Jason C. Stearns, CRM
President, ARMA Metro New York City Chapter

For more information please visit the ARMA NYC website: http://www.armanyc.org/

NEDCC Stewardship of Digital Assets Workshop at the Morgan Library and Museum - Registration Now Open

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:25:29 GMT

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Stewardship of Digital Assets
A two-day workshop on sustaining digital collections
April 1 - 2, 2013 at The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, NY

The Morgan Library & Museum and the Northeast Document Conservation Center are pleased to announce a two-day workshop focusing on managing digital collections. A faculty of digital experts will teach the essentials of digital collections care, emphasizing strategies for collaboration. The program will include opportunities for discussion and consultation with workshop faculty.

Topics covered will include:
Digital Curation
Organizational Concepts (OAIS, TRAC, DRAMBORA)
Sustainable File Formats
Developing Relationships with IT
Standards and Best Practices
Options for Discovery and Access
Digital Preservation Policy Development
Metadata for Management, Access, and Preservation
Email and Electronic Records Management
Preservation of Video and Recorded Sound
Building a Digital Repository

Who Should Attend?
Staff from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions - anyone eager to learn the basics about managing digital collections.
Cost:
Both days: $175
One day: $125
Student rate: $50

Note: Enrollment is limited to 70. Registration is first-come, first-served.

For complete information and to register, visit: http://www.nedcc.org/education/2013soda/2013soda.php

Call for Nominations: SAA Archival Innovator Award

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:02:36 GMT

Call for Nominations: SAA Archival Innovator Award

The Archival Innovator Subcommittee of the Society of American Archivists seeks nominations for the 2013 award.

Established in 2011, this award recognizes the role of innovative practices in the archival profession.

Key areas of innovation are outlined by the criteria below, with preference given to nominees who have clearly demonstrated the greatest impact on the profession or their communities through the use of groundbreaking strategies, approaches, and/or technologies.

•Creativity or innovation in approaching professional challenges.
•Demonstrated ability to think outside of professional or institutional norms.
•Ability to translate creativity, innovation, and new thinking into working solutions.
•Development of an archives program or outreach activity that has an extraordinary impact on a community.
•Commitment to the advancement of professional knowledge through traditional or emerging information-sharing media.

Eligibility:
Presented to an archivist, group of archivists, repository, or organization for work undertaken within the past three years. The work need not be completed, but it must be sufficiently advanced to demonstrate results.

Application Deadline:
All nominations shall be submitted to the Awards Committee by February 28, 2013. Applications are available at http://www2.archivists.org/sites/all/files/Archival-Innovator-Award-Form_0.rtf.

Prize:
A certificate and complimentary registration for one individual to the 2013 joint SAA/CoSA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA.

Announcement originally posted to the Archivists Round Table LinkedIn page by Brittany Turner on February 5, 2013.

Museum of the City of New York Seeks Volunteers for New York History Day 2013

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 22:07:38 GMT

Posted on behalf of Stephanie Dueno and the Museum of the City of New York.

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Dear Colleague:

I write today to ask you to serve as a judge for New York City History Day 2013. For the past twenty-three years, the Museum of the City of New York has sponsored this educational program that teaches middle and high school students to do original research projects for evaluation. This year’s contest will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2013, followed by an Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, March 13, 2013.

New York City History Day engages students in the discovery and interpretation of historical topics. Students analyze primary and secondary sources, hone their research skills, and show their findings through multimedia documentaries, dramatic performances, imaginative exhibits, historical papers, and websites. Winners move on to the state and possibly national competition.

Projects are evaluated primarily for historical content, and constructive feedback from the judges is essential to the students’ learning process. Judges work in small groups when interacting with the students. A major component of the evaluation is the student interview. For the students, the experience of having a conversation with a judge is invaluable.

History Day will once again follow a two day model with one full day for competing/judge evaluation and a separate evening for an awards ceremony later that week. This format will give judges more time to evaluate student work and to determine which projects will advance to the state level. Judging on March 10^th will begin with an orientation at 9:30 A.M. followed by interviewing the students from 10:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Once you have agreed to participate, specific information about March 10^th will be sent to you.

The success of New York City History Day depends largely on the participation of talented volunteers like you. Generous support for New York City History Day is provided by Susan and Roy Glaser, and the Susan and Elihu Rose Foundation. The Museum is also grateful to the New York State Historical Association.

To accept this invitation, please send the Judging Request Form no later than February 22^nd to Stephanie Dueño, New York City History Day Coordinator at the Museum of the City of New York. If you have any questions you may contact me at sdueno@mcny.org or (212) 534-1672, ext. 3410. Due to an anticipated increase in student attendance, procedures for judges may be slightly different this year. A prompt response to this invitation will allow us to plan a smooth and successful event for you and the students. We thank you for your consideration.

ARLIS/NY Presents a Professional Organizations Open House for Students and New Professionals; ART, METRO, Others to Participate

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 20:10:13 GMT

An earlier version of this announcement was posted on the METRO site on Thursday, February 14, 2013 and adapted below:

ARLIS/NY Presents a Professional Organizations Open House for Students and New Professionals; ART, METRO, Others to Participate

The New York Metropolitan Chapter of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NY) will host an open house for "students and recent graduates interested in learning about professional organizations in the arts and book arts." Taking place on Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 3:30 - 5:30, participants are invited to join the event in the Sacerdote Hall, Uris Education Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

As ARLIS/NY states in their press release:

Becoming active in professional organizations is one of the most valuable steps a student or new professional can make in building his or her career. Professional organizations provide opportunities to network with like-minded individuals, to exercise leadership roles, and to keep current with the latest trends in a field. Many also provide exclusive opportunities for professional development through travel grants, conferences, and support for scholarship.

This open house introduces students and new professionals with interests in the arts, book arts, and cultural heritage to the rich opportunities for professional development offered by organizations in the New York metropolitan area. Throughout the evening, representatives will be on hand to answer questions, hand out promotional materials, and discuss their organizations in detail. At the beginning of the event, participants will give brief introductions to their organization’s constituency, mission, and activities.

Participants in the open house include:

ACRL/NY: The Greater New York Metropolitan Area Chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries

ARLIS/NY: New York Metropolitan Chapter of the Art Libraries Society of North America

ART: Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

BSA: The Bibliographical Society of America

METRO: The Metropolitan New York Library Council

NYTSL: The New York Technical Services Librarians

RBMS: The Rare Books and Manuscripts Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries

SLA NY: The New York Chapter of the Special Libraries Association

VRA-NY: The Greater New York Regional Chapter of the Visual Resources Association

Registration is required. More information can be found on the ARLIS/NY website.

"Heritage Preservation Assists With Sandy Recovery" featured in Heritage Preservation Update Winter 2013 Issue

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:36:41 GMT

Originally published in the Heritage Preservation Update Winter 2013 Issue.

Heritage Preservation Assists With Sandy Recovery

Photo of Cultural Recovery Center by Cindy Albertson

In November 2012, Heritage Preservation was awarded $15,000 by the New York Community Trust to assist Superstorm Sandy recovery efforts in coordination with Alliance for Response New York City. Funds are being used to purchase supplies for the Cultural Recovery Center in Brooklyn, a temporary salvage space launched by the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation in cooperation with a consortium of organizations that includes Heritage Preservation. Conservators and collections care professionals are volunteering their time to help artists, galleries, collectors, and cultural institutions stabilize artwork damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Full article available in the Heritage Preservation Update Winter 2013 Issue:
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=00cbcc194404641e545c4b972&id=6c50e19fb1&e=98eb558993

Call for workshop proposals- MARAC Fall 2013 conference

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:20:58 GMT

Posted on behalf of the Meetings Coordinating Committee of the
Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC).

========================================================

Call for workshop proposals- MARAC Fall 2013 conference

The Meetings Coordinating Committee of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC)
is currently soliciting proposals for workshops at the Fall 2013 conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Workshops will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2013. Workshops may be either a half-day or a full-day and may focus on any topic of interest to MARAC's constituency, for example: Appraisal, Arrangement & Description, Records Management, Donor Relations, Disaster Planning, Digitization, Electronic Records, and Reference. This year we are especially interested in workshops related to management topics and also digital/electronic records. Workshop leaders will be provided with a monetary stipend.

Please complete the workshop proposal form: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFptdkJVVVd2V0p5R0k0bFppNDB4OGc6MQ&ndplr=1

Deadline is March 25, 2013.

Interested parties may also specify a preference to be considered for the Spring 2014 conference in Rochester, New York.

Thank you,

Susan Kline - smkline@syr.edu

David Ranzan - DARANZAN@salisbury.edu

Workshop Coordinators

http://www.marac.info

Workshop Announcement: Appraisal of Electronic Records [SAA DAS]

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 13:18:10 GMT

This event is co-sponsored by METRO and Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York.

The Archivists Round Table is pleased to announce that it is co-sponsoring SAA’s Appraisal of Electronic Records class with METRO on June 10, 2013. Eighteen $100 partial scholarships to this workshop are available as part of METRO's Keeping Collections (http://keepingcollections.org) project, which is funded in part by the New York State Archives Documentary Heritage Program (http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/records/mr_hrecords_dhp.shtml).

Eligibility: These scholarships are intended to provide assistance "to the not-for-profit organizations that hold, collect and make available the state's historical records" in New York City and Westchester County. Thus, scholarships will be limited to those working in organizations that meet those requirements. Visit the application page for more information: (http://bit.ly/Xoxmnj).

Timeline: The deadline for applications is February 28, 2013. Scholarship winners will be notified by email by March 11, 2013 and must confirm attendance by March 15, 2013. Upon selection, scholarship recipients will then be given a special code to receive the $100 discount when registering for the workshop. The workshop is also open for public registration at normal pricing. Eighteen spots are being held for scholarship recipients.

Registration Fees: Early-Bird / Regular SAA Member: $185 / $235 Employees of Member Institutions: $210 / $260 Nonmember: $235 / $285. The workshop will be open for public registration on March 15, 2013 via the SAA website.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ONLINE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION (http://bit.ly/Xoxmnj)

Workshop Details:

After a review of the fundamental principles of archival appraisal and appraisal policies, you’ll be introduced to the unique issues that need to be addressed when appraising electronic records. Case studies will highlight the practical aspects of appraisal when dealing with electronic records.

Upon completion of this course you'll be able to:

Workshop Objectives:

Develop an appraisal policy for your archives; Include electronic records on records retention and disposal schedules; Appraise electronic records for your archives. Address technical issues (such as metadata, software dependence, etc.) that arise when appraising electronic records; and, Appraise electronic records for your archives.

Who Should Attend?

Archivist Practitioners, Records Managers. Anyone responsible for the archival appraisal of electronic records.

What Should You know?

Archival appraisal of records, as well as some basic knowledge about digital preservation and electronic records. This course is one of the Foundational Courses in the Digital Archives Specialist (http://www2.archivists.org/prof-education/das) (DAS) Curriculum and Certificate Program and builds on others including Basic Electronic Records. If you intend to pursue the Certificate, you'll need to pass the examination for this course. Please follow "Procedures for DAS webinars" (http://www2.archivists.org/prof-education/das/FAQs/17) to access exam information.

Sincerely,

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York

The National Archives at New York City is Opening on Monday, February 4th

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 00:09:37 GMT

Posted on behalf of the National Archives at New York City.

The National Archives at New York City is officially opening to the public on Monday, February 4^th, at its new location at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House at One Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan.

Our hours will be Monday-Friday, 10am to 5pm. We will also be open the first Saturday of the month from 10am to 4pm for microfilm and computer research.

We look forward to greeting our patrons and researchers in our new beautiful space!

Please visit our website for additional information: http://www.archives.gov/nyc/

A copy of the full press release is available at the following link: http://www.archives.gov/nyc/press/2013/custom-house-opening.pdf

Artists’ Records in the Archives Symposium Proceedings - Now Available Online

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:54:18 GMT

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York Inc. is pleased to announce the release of the proceedings for the New York Archives Week symposium, “Artists’ Records in the Archives,” held on October 11, 2011 at the New York Public Library, and on October 12, 2011 at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

The proceedings are available for download here.

The symposium was dedicated to investigating and broadening the discussion surrounding artists’ records - documents created by artists that bear witness to the creative process, often including sketches, doodles, and other notations. Eight sessions featuring twenty-seven presenters addressed the relationships among artists’ records, artwork, and artists; the significance of artists’ records in archives for scholars and curators; and how archivists and special collections librarians manage artists’ records in their repositories.

Call For Judges- Long Island History Day- March 10th

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:35:30 GMT

Call For Judges- Long Island History Day- March 10th

Long Island is the largest regional National History Day in New York State. Thirty-five schools and 575 students from across Nassau and Suffolk counties participated last year.

ART members are asked to volunteer as judges for this year’s Long Island History Day, scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2013, at Hoffstra University. Judges must arrive for an 8:00 AM orientation and the day ends for judges anywhere between 1:00 and 2:30 PM. Breakfast and lunch and provided.

Here is the survey form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dExYY0pQWUwwMEdzbTd6SmhqVnhncVE6MQ#gid=0

For more information about Long Island History Day, please visit New York State History Day at http://www.nyshistoryday.org/ or National History Day at http://nationalhistoryday.org/.

If you have any questions about Long Island History Day, please contact Susan Glaser at sglaser22@gmail.com or susan@glasermills.com or Robbie Harte at harte4622@aol.com. Thank you.

ART Special Election Results: Director of the Education Committee

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 12:19:54 GMT

On 12 December 2012, in conjunction with the ART Holiday Party, co-sponsored by and hosted at the Warburg Lounge of the 92nd Street Y, New York City, a special election was held in order to vote for a vacancy for the position of Director of the Education Committee, Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York Inc. (ART).

Karen Murphy was unanimously elected to the ART Board of Directors as Director of the Education Committee. Karen has worked at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the agency responsible for managing the New York City water supply, since 2007. As part of the Office of Records and Archives Management she manages, preserves and increases access to records which help DEP operate and build upon New York City’s vast water infrastructure. Karen earned her MA in History with a certificate in Archival Management from NYU in 2007. During that time she worked at the NYU Archives as a Graduate Assistant and also interned with the Archives of Irish America and the Museum of the City of New York. Karen has been a member of the Archivists Round Table since 2005 and has volunteered with the Membership Committee since 2008, serving on the ART Board as Coordinator of the Membership and Nominating Committee from 2008 – 2010.

Thank you to ART members for participating in this special election.

Congratulations to Karen Murphy, Director of the Education Committee, Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

ART Special Election 2012: Director of the Education Committee - Vote by 12/12/12

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:06:37 GMT

A special meeting is called by the ART Board of Directors, in conjunction with the ART December event/Holiday Party, in order to vote for a vacancy for the position of Director of the Education Committee, Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York Inc. (ART). This position was filled by Board appointment on 08/31/12 until an official member election could take place.

Follow the links for candidate bio and statement and election ballot:

2012 Special Election Candidate Bio and Statement
2012 Special Election Ballot
Voting in person by current ART members will be possible from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the ART Holiday Party on December 12, 2012 at the 92nd Street Y, Warburg Lounge, 1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10128.

If you are unable to attend the December 2012 meeting/holiday party you may vote by proxy via email. Please send an email to admin@nycarchivists.org by 3:00 pm on 12 December 2012; you may attach the ballot or indicate for whom you cast your vote. You must include your full name and must vote using the official email address registered with your ART membership account.

Results of the election will be announced at the end of the ART December event/Holiday party once the tally has been completed and membership will also be notified of the results following the election via email.

Thank you for participating in this special election.

FEMA Funding for Damaged Collections

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 22:09:11 GMT

The State Archives has received word that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has scheduled applicant briefings for grants to state, tribal, and local governments, and certain types of private nonprofit organizations that provide services of an educational or governmental nature. Eligible nonprofits include entities such as libraries, museums, performing arts facilities, and community arts centers.

If your organization has suffered records damage, you should attend the applicants briefing in the county where your damaged facility is located to learn how to apply for FEMA funding. Because the schedule is subject to change, please confirm the date, time and location of the briefings in your county. Note that these briefings will not address programs for individuals or businesses.

For more information on the FEMA Public Assistance process, see http://www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit.

Next ART Book Club: Processing the Past 1/23

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:33:57 GMT

ART Book Club

a meeting in the ART Discussion Group series

Please join us for a gathering of the ART Book Club. The group will convene on January 23, 2013 at 6pm at a location to be determined for an informal discussion of Francis X. Blouin Jr. and William G. Rosenberg’s book, Processing the Past: Contesting Authority in History and the Archives (Oxford, 2011).

We ask that all participants commit to reading the book and come prepared with one or two questions for group discussion.

The ART Discussion Group series is a periodic gathering of ART members to discuss issues of professional interest. All ART members are welcome. The Book Club grew out of a member's suggestion that books are a great way to initiate discussions around a theme.

Participants to the Book Club will be capped at 15.

The group is kept small to encourage discussion among all attendees.

If you are interested in attending, please email us to save a spot: discussions@nycarchivists.org.

We will email separately regarding the meeting location upon RSVP.

Processing the Past has provoked significant debate amongst archivists and historians.

From Oxford University Press:

Description

Processing the Past explores the dramatic changes taking place in historical understanding and archival management, and hence the relations between historians and archivists. Written by an archivist and a historian, it shows how these changes have been brought on by new historical thinking, new conceptions of archives, changing notions of historical authority, modifications in archival practices, and new information technologies. The book takes an "archival turn" by situating archives as subjects rather than places of study, and examining the increasingly problematic relationships between historical and archival work.

By showing how nineteenth- and early twentieth-century historians and archivists in Europe and North America came to occupy the same conceptual and methodological space, the book sets the background to these changes. In the past, authoritative history was based on authoritative archives and mutual understandings of scientific research. These connections changed as historians began to ask questions not easily answered by traditional documentation, and archivists began to confront an unmanageable increase in the amount of material they processed and the challenges of new electronic technologies.

The authors contend that historians and archivists have divided into two entirely separate professions with distinct conceptual frameworks, training, and purposes, as well as different understandings of the authorities that govern their work. Processing the Past moves toward bridging this divide by speaking in one voice to these very different audiences. Blouin and Rosenberg conclude by raising the worrisome question of what future historical archives might be like if historical scholars and archivists no longer understand each other, and indeed, whether their now different notions of what is archival and historical will ever again be joined.

Features

a unique approach to the relationships between archives and the formation of historical knowledge jointly conceptualized by an archivist and a historian
develops a new understanding of the "archival divide" separating contemporary historical scholars and their former colleagues in the archival community
an essential work for scholars interested in understanding how archives really work, and for archivists interested in understanding current dimensions of historical scholarship
addresses how the study of history has and will change with the development of new technology
explains problems of access to archives and why they are likely to continue for conceptual, political, and technological reasons

Reviews

"Blouin and Rosenberg have once again joined forces to write what is very like a total history of the modern western archive. From lust to dust to techno-rust, they detail the convergences and divergences of historical authority and archival practice, providing a sweeping and deeply researched account of the impact of political and technological change on archives past, present and future. As indispensably, the authors narrate the tectonic shifts we in the last few generations of historians and archivists have lived through without, perhaps, fully realizing the revolution under our feet - and under our fingertips as well. Both genealogy and prophecy, this book is a must read for anyone who cares about what history is and what it will be beyond our lifetimes."-Antoinette Burton, editor, Archive Stories: Facts, Fictions, and the Writing of History

"Processing the Past provides a compelling and well-illustrated analysis of the growing divergence between archivists and historians. Blouin and Rosenberg will generate constructive reflection and discussion with this substantial work of scholarship. They will help the community take a step towards bridging the gap between humanists and those who would serve their needs." -Roger C. Schonfeld, Manager of Research, Ithaka S+R; author of JSTOR: A History

More about the book

A review of the book is available in the Journal of Archival Information, Volume 9, Issue 3-4, 2011: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15332748.2011.640886

For an interview with the authors, see the American Historical Association’s November 2011 issue of Perspectives on History: http://www.historians.org/perspectives/issues/2011/1111/1111con1.cfm

Kate Theimer has several related blog posts: http://www.archivesnext.com/?p=2448

* * *

The ART Discussion Group series, in General

ART Discussion Groups take on topics that address the immediate needs and interests of working archivists. The meetings are intended to create a space where archivists may engage in focused, informal conversation around specific problems derived from archival work, exploring strategies from everyday practice. Participants come away with fresh approaches to practical challenges. The size of each group is kept small to encourage all attendees to participate. When noted, sessions are designed for archivists at similar levels of experience.

ART members themselves devise and lead the discussion groups. In order for the program to succeed, we need to hear from you! Please send in your ideas for future discussion topics. Or, even better, if you would like to lead a discussion, let us know. Send comments, questions and suggestions to Wendy Scheir and Maria LaCalle at discussions@nycarchivists.org.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Consortium of Art Conservation Experts To Offer Advice

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 22:40:06 GMT

CONSORTIUM OF ART CONSERVATION EXPERTS TO OFFER ADVICE

Recovery of Wet Art and Historic Collection Information

A free public presentation on recovering wet art and cultural materials will be held Sunday, November 4 from noon until 2 p.m. at The Museum of Modern Art. Speakers from the American Institute for Conservation Collections Emergency Response Team (AIC-CERT), along with conservators from MoMA, will provide suggestions and answer questions on how to safely handle and dry wet materials such as paintings, drawings, books, sculpture, and other artistic and cultural works. The consortium will take place in MoMA's Celeste Bartos Theater, in the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building, 4 West 54 Street, New York.

The presentation is designed to be of special help to the many artists and galleries whose works were affected by Hurricane Sandy.

MoMA has also issued a document, Immediate Response for Collections, that offers guidelines for dealing with art damaged by flooding. It offers step by step measures that can be taken to conserve artworks in a variety of mediums that have been damaged by water, including library and archive collections. It also includes a list of suppliers and emergency services that can provide some of the services listed in the document. The document is available on the Museum’s web site, MoMA.org.

The American Institute for Conservation (AIC), the national association of conservation professionals, is offering free emergency response assistance to cultural organizations.

* Call AIC's 24-hour assistance number at 202.661.8068 for advice by phone.

* Call 202.661.8068 to arrange for a team to come to the site to complete damage assessments and help with salvage organization.

AIC-CERT volunteers have provided assistance and advice to dozens of museums, libraries, and archives since 2007. AIC-CERT teams were on the ground following Tropical Storm Irene and flooding in Minot, North Dakota in 2011, the Midwest floods in 2008, and in the Galveston area following Hurricane Ike later that year. AIC-CERT members and other AIC conservators participated in an 18-month-long project in Haiti assisting with recovery of cultural materials damaged in the 2010 earthquake.

AIC-CERT is supported and managed by the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC). In 2007 and again in 2010, FAIC received funding from the Institute of Museum & Library Services to support an advanced training program for conservators and other museum professionals that resulted in a force of 107 "rapid responders" trained to assess damage and initiate salvage of cultural collections after a disaster has occurred. They are ready to assist.

Resources and information on disaster recovery and salvage can be found on the AIC website at www.conservation-us.org/disaster. The public can also call AIC-CERT at 202.661.8068. Donations can be made at www.conservation-us.org/donate.

# # #

About AIC

The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works is the national membership organization supporting the professionals who preserve our cultural heritage. AIC plays a crucial role in establishing and upholding professional standards, promoting research and publications, providing educational opportunities, and fostering the exchange of knowledge among conservators, allied professionals, and the public.

Learn more about AIC at www.conservation-us.org.

About FAIC

The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works supports conservation education, research, and outreach activities that advance the conservation profession nationally and internationally while promoting understanding of our global cultural heritage.

Learn more about FAIC at www.conservation-us.org/foundation.

Resources for Archives, Galleries, Libraries and Museums Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:51:21 GMT

Resources for Archives, Galleries, Libraries and Museums Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Circulated by the Alliance for Response-NYC.

Resources for artists and galleries affected by Hurricane Sandy

AIC-CERT

*****Do not throw damaged art away without first consulting a conservator!*****

Sources of assistance for artists and galleries:

Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF): www.craftemergency.org, 802-229-2306

New York Foundation for the Arts: www.nyfa.org

AIC’s Find a Conservator service: http://www.conservationus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=495

ArtsReady Useful Links

https://www.artsready.org/page/useful_links

See especially the links to funding for emergency relief.

Disaster response resources and salvage guides:

AIC: http://www.conservationus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=593

NCPTT, Wet Recovery resources: http://ncptt.nps.gov/wet-recovery/

Heritage Preservation:

http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/TASKFER.HTM

Connecting 2 Collections forum on disaster recovery

http://www.connectingtocollections.org/groups/c2c-disccussions/forum/topic/stormdamage-assistance#post-627

METRO Survey to Assess Impact of Hurricane Sandy

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:01:42 GMT

Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) has created a simple

survey to assess how metropolitan New York institutions have been impacted

by the storm and to gauge who might be interested in volunteer help.

We encourage ART members to complete the survey and

assist with helping assess the impact of Hurricane Sandy.

You can access the simple survey here :

Thank you.

Grants Available for Hurricane Sandy Recovery

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 18:31:37 GMT

As published on the Society of American Archivists website:

http://www2.archivists.org/news/2008/national-disaster-recovery-fund-for-archives?

National Disaster Recovery Fund for Archives

In September 2005, the Society of Southwest Archivists and the Society of American Archivists created the SSA-SAA Emergency Disaster Assistance Grant Fund established to address the stabilization and recovery needs of archival repositories that were directly affected by Hurricane Katrina. In October of that year, the Fund was expanded to include repositories affected by Hurricane Rita. Both SAA and SSA provided $5,000 in “seed” money to establish the Fund.

Working together, SSA and SAA have expanded the original scope of the Fund to provide grants that support the recovery of archival collections from major disasters, regardless of region or repository type.

Any repository that holds archival records or special collections is eligible to apply for a grant. The repository need not be a member of SSA or SAA. Grant monies may be used for the direct recovery of damaged or at-risk archival materials; such services as freeze drying, storage, transportation of materials, and rental facilities; supplies, including acid-free boxes and folders, storage cartons, cleaning materials, plastic milk crates, and protective gear; and to defray the costs for volunteers or other laborers who assist with the recovery.

IF YOU ARE ABLE TO ASSIST OUR COLLEAGUES BY DONATING TO THE FUND, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE, SEE BELOW FOR INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING FOR GRANT FUNDS.

How much funding is available? Initially grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded. Additional requests may be considered if funds remain available. Approved grant payments may be made directly to a service provider, upon the grantee's request, if an itemized invoice is presented. Recipients will be asked to provide a financial accounting of expenditures made using the award within 6 months of receiving the funding.

How do I apply? Download and complete the application document and send as an e-mail attachment to saahq@archivists.org. Or, if you prefer, you may submit a letter containing the same information. Ideally the letter should come from the head of your organization, but it may come from a primary contact. Please include contact information for both the head of the organization and the primary contact if these are different individuals.

Send your application/letter, via either email attachment or postal service, to:

Society of American Archivists Foundation
Attn: National Disaster Recovery Fund for Archives
17 North State Street, Suite 1425
Chicago, IL 60602
866-722-7858 (toll-free)
fax 312-606-0728
saahq@archivists.org

How will recipients be selected? A review panel comprising representatives of SSA and SAA will review applications and select the grant recipients. The committee will score proposals based on the application criteria. The Society of American Archivists is responsible for financial administration of the fund.

Some More Sandy Disaster Recovery Resources

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:17:34 GMT

Some More #Sandy Disaster Recovery Resources from METRO - http://metro.org/articles/disaster-recovery-resources/

Thank you to METRO for compiling this list.

Disaster Response Information & Assistance for Collections Affected by Hurricane Sandy

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 15:59:57 GMT

***Disaster Response Information & Assistance for

Collections Affected by Hurricane Sandy***

Resource list via AudioVisual Preservation Solutions (AVPS):

http://www.avpreserve.com/

Thank you AVPS!

News from the American Institute for Conservation - Collections Emergency Response Team: Hurricane Sandy Alert

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 16:31:01 GMT

AIC-CERT
American Institute for Conservation - Collections Emergency Response Team

WASHINGTON, D.C.undefined With Hurricane Sandy threatening the East Coast, museums, historic sites, libraries, and archives in much of the Eastern United States will be at risk. The American Institute for Conservation (AIC), the national association of conservation professionals, is offering free emergency response assistance to cultural organizations. Please help make sure that staff members of collecting institutions know to contact AIC-CERT when a disasterundefinedflooding, hurricane, earthquake, fireundefinedhas damaged collections.

Call AIC’s 24-hour assistance number at 202.661.8068 for advice by phone.

Call 202.661.8068 to arrange for a team to come to the site to complete damage assessments and help with salvage organization.

AIC-CERT volunteers have provided assistance and advice to dozens of museums, libraries, and archives since 2007. AIC-CERT teams were on the ground following Tropical Storm Irene and flooding in Minot, North Dakota in 2011, the Midwest floods in 2008, and in the Galveston area following Hurricane Ike later that year. AIC-CERT members and other AIC conservators participated in an 18-month-long project in Haiti assisting with recovery of cultural materials damaged in the 2010 earthquake.

AIC-CERT is supported and managed by the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC). In 2007 and again in 2010, FAIC received funding from the Institute of Museum & Library Services to support an advanced training program for conservators and other museum professionals that resulted in a force of 107 “rapid responders” trained to assess damage and initiate salvage of cultural collections after a disaster has occurred. They are ready to assist.

Resources and information on disaster recovery and salvage can be found on the AIC website at www.conservation-us.org/disaster . The public can also call AIC-CERT at 202.661.8068.

About AIC
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works is the national membership organization supporting the professionals who preserve our cultural heritage. AIC plays a crucial role in establishing and upholding professional standards, promoting research and publications, providing educational opportunities, and fostering the exchange of knowledge among conservators, allied professionals, and the public.
Learn more about AIC at www.conservation-us.org.

About FAIC
The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works supports conservation education, research, and outreach activities that advance the conservation profession nationally and internationally while promoting understanding of our global cultural heritage.
Learn more about FAIC at www.conservation-us.org/foundation.

News from the New York State Archives: Hurricane Sandy Preparedness and Response Plan

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:39:11 GMT

Hurricane Sandy may bring widespread flooding, storm surges, and dangerous winds to New York. Take your records emergency response plan home and keep contact information for key staff, services, and resources with you at all times. Remember the New York State Archives is available to help. Visit the New York State Archives Disaster Assistance web page for resources and contact information: http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/records/mr_disaster.shtml

For more about Hurricane Sandy's path, check your local weather service or the National Weather Service National Hurricane Center.

“You Are History” Open House: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 11:47:08 GMT

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Open House: “You Are History”

“What do I do with all this stuff?” is a common question asked when going through family letters, photographs and other personal items. If you have ever asked this question, don’t miss the Schomburg Center’s “You Are History” free event on Sunday, October 14, 2012, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

This is an opportunity to talk with librarians and archivists about personal records and view original materials from the Schomburg Center's vast collections. There will be specialized workshops and a tour of the exhibitions.

The Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture is located at 515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801. No RSVP required. This event is free and open to the public. http://www.nypl.org/locations/tid/64/node/185111?lref=64%2Fcalendar

This event is part of 2012 New York Archives Week.

Call for Papers: Archiving Activism

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 09:29:29 GMT

Ben Alexander, a panel discussion session moderator for the New York Archives Week 2012 Symposium, "Archives and Activism," has put out a call for papers for a special edition of Archival Science: Archiving Activism to be edited by Mr. Alexander and Andrew Flinn. The special edition will explore connections between archival practice and activism. Mr Alexander let ART know, "We are very interested in a attracting a breadth and depth of proposals." Archival Science is an imprint of Springer.

Deadline for proposals of 250 words or less is November 15, 2012. Selected authors will be invited to submit a full length manuscript. See the CFP for more information.

About the Editors:

Ben Alexander is an Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies at Queens College, The City University of New York, where he also serves as Director of Archival Studies. In addition to his full time faculty appointment, Alexander also serves as the Head of Special Collections and Archives for the Queens College Libraries.

Andrew Flinn is a Senior Lecturer and the Director of the Archives and Records Management (ARM) (including the recently (2102) merged Records and Archive Management (International) (RAMI) MA) program in the Department of Information Studies at University College London (UCL). In 2011 he was the Allen Smith Visiting Scholar in the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies at Simmons College, Boston, MA.

"Project Strategies for Processing Event Documentation"

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:00:51 GMT

Franklin Furnace Archive, Inc., Presentation:
“Project Strategies for Processing Event Documentation"

Wednesday, October 10, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

FREE, RSVP is required. RSVP to harley@franklinfurnace.org

Johanna Went, "Twin Travel Terror," 1987

Martha Wilson, Founding Director of the Franklin Furnace Archive, which focuses on the preservation and celebration of all forms of avant-garde art, will discuss the organization’s recently completed project to create and expand its online event archives, in a program titled "Publishing Franklin Furnace's Second Decade Online: Providing Intellectual Access to Variable Media Art." Michael Katchen, Senior Archivist, will present a guide for digitization, Best Practices and Guidelines: Digitization at Franklin Furnace Archive Inc., which is published on Franklin Furnace's website and is used by other art spaces, such as Hallwalls in Buffalo, and LACE in Los Angeles.

The online database, the digitization and publication of which was supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Booth Ferris Foundation, contains 11,762 images and associated metadata documenting the organization’s first two decades in operation. The organization is currently looking for funding to digitize and publish its third decade of event records.

The evening’s events will include an open house and a tour of the archives, followed by a formal presentation and discussion.

www.franklinfurnace.org

Location: Franklin Furnace Archive, Inc. 80 Hanson Place, Suite #301,

Brooklyn, New York

RSVP is required. Up to 20 visitors may be accommodated.

RSVP to harley@franklinfurnace.org

Submitted by Haley Richardson, ART Reporter

The Historian as Activist: One Man’s Struggle to Rescue a Forgotten Civic Hero from Obscurity and Disgrace

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:24:04 GMT

The Manhattan Borough Historian’s Office, the General Society of Mechanics & Tradesmen of the City of New York, and the New York Preservation Archive Project, Presentation and Interview:

“The Historian as Activist: One Man’s Struggle to Rescue a Forgotten Civic Hero from Obscurity and Disgrace” 

Wednesday, October 10, 6:30 p.m.
FREE No RSVP Required

Manhattan Borough Historian Michael Miscione, left, accepts award from

the American Friends of the Georgian Group for promoting New York City history and

raising awareness for the early historic preservation movement from John Kinnear,

President, the Georgian Group, September 26, 2012.
Photo by: John McKenzie

A decade ago, Michael Miscione, a television producer for NYC-TV, set out to introduce New Yorkers to the forgotten legacy of Andrew H. Green, whose work as a preservationist and city planner helped to turn their city in to the world-class metropolis it is today. Miscione’s one-man quest to solidify Green’s place in the historical narrative of New York City will be the focus of an in-depth interview and illustrated presentation Wednesday night, as part of the 2012 New York Archives Week celebration. In conversation with Anthony C. Wood, founder of the New York Preservation Archive Project, Miscione will discuss his path to historical activism and his current role as Manhattan Borough Historian, as well as the trials and tribulations of adding another important figure to the long and storied past of New York City.

"I'm very excited about this interview,” Miscione says. “I seldom get asked about the nuts-and-bolts of the work I've done to promote [Green]. Often those war stories are every bit as interesting as the historical facts. Plus, it will give me a chance to name and thank the people who have helped me along the way."

Join Michael Miscione and Anthony C. Wood at the General Society Library (20 West 44th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues) on Wednesday, October 10, at 6:30pm. This event is free; no RSVP is required.

Submitted by Haley Richardson, ART Reporter

A Long-Awaited Tribute: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian House and Pavilion

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 21:50:59 GMT

2012 New York Archives Week:

Guggenheim Museum, Exhibition Tour

“A Long-Awaited Tribute: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian House and Pavilion”

Wednesday, October 10, 3:00 p.m.

Frank Lloyd Wright and David Henken reviewing architectural

drawings for the pavilion, 1953. Photo: © Pedro E. Guerrero
Image via Guggenheim Museum

Join Francine Snyder, Director of the Library and Archives at the
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, for a tour of the Sackler Center for Arts
Education’s “long-awaited” exhibition of materials documenting Frank Lloyd
Wright’s first buildings in New York City, including the 1953 exhibition
pavilion and model Usonian home erected where the Guggenheim Museum now
stands. “While many of Frank Lloyd Wright's buildings are iconic,” Snyder
says, “the exhibition pavilion and accompanying Usonian house are not well
known. It's wonderful to be able to tell this story through materials from
the archives.”

The 10,000 square-foot, glass and fiberboard exhibition pavilion and
attached model Usonian house featured a traveling exhibition of Wright’s

work and featured sixteen model buildings, photographs, floor plans, and
drawings. Visitors were invited at the time to enter the fully-furnished home through
the courtyard of the pavilion to experience the “distinctively American,
middle-class” furnishings and artwork, which included items designed by
Wright himself and mobiles constructed by Alexander Calder.

Web Site: www.guggenheim.org/ and www.guggenheim.org/usonian

Location: Guggenheim Museum, Sackler Center, 1071 Fifth Ave, New York, NY

RSVP is required. RSVP to archives@guggenheim.org Limited to 25 participants.

Tour details sent upon confirmation of RSVP. Tour will be followed by the
option for participants to visit additional museum galleries on their own.

Submitted by Haley Richardson, ART Reporter

Hart Island Project: Hearing TOMORROW to Improve Access to Burial Records

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:12:32 GMT

The Advocacy Committee of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) supports the Hart Island Project in its effort to provide visibility and access to the New York City public cemetery on Hart’s Island. In particular, ART agrees that the Department of Corrections should make their electronic database of people buried at Hart’s Island since 1977 available on its website, and will submit written testimony in favor of open records at the upcoming New York City Council Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice Services hearing on Thursday, September 27, 2012.

The New York City Council Committee on Fire and Criminal Justice Services will hold a hearing on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 1pm in the 14th floor Committee Room at 250 Broadway, in Manhattan, on the following two bills:

Int. No. 803

By Council Members Crowley, Oddo, Vacca, Lander, Cabrera, Dromm, Eugene, Ferreras, Foster, James, Koo, Koppell, Koslowitz, Levin, Palma, Rose, Williams, Wills, Weprin, Mendez, Mark-Viverito and Halloran.

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the Department of Correction to make its electronic database of people buried at Hart’s Island, since 1977, available on its website.

Int. No. 804

By Council Members Crowley, Oddo, Vacca, Lander, Brewer, Cabrera, Dromm, Eugene, Foster, Jackson, James, Koo, Koppell, Koslowitz, Levin, Palma, Rose, Wills, Mendez, Mark-Viverito and Halloran.

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the Department of Correction to put its Hart’s Island visitation policy in writing, post it on its website, and make it available to anyone who requests a copy.

Hearings are open to the public. Interested ART members are encouraged to attend. If you wish to testify, please contact hearings@council.nyc.ny.us

If you would like to receive copies of these bills or advanced copies of testimony, please contact:

Melinda Hunt
Director of The Hart Island Project
Email: hartisland@aol.com

More information about The Hart Island Project is available via the Current Actions section of the Advocacy Committee website.

A Very Special Event: Town Hall with Health Dept.- Join Us For A Dialogue About Vital Records

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:19:06 GMT

A VERY SPECIAL EVENT:

TOWN HALL WITH HEALTH DEPARTMENT

JOIN US FOR A DIALOGUE ABOUT VITAL RECORDS

ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER ELIZABETH BEGIER, MD, MPH,

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE, BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS,

WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS ABOUT NYC VITAL RECORDS

HOSTED BY:

Edna Wells Handy, Commissioner, Department of Citywide Administrative Services

Eileen Flannelly, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Records & Information Services

WHEN:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2012 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:

DEPARTMENT OF RECORDS VISITOR CENTER, 31 Chambers Street, Room 112- LOBBY

RSVP TO: visitorcenter@records.nyc.gov

RSVP IS REQUIRED

(WE REGRET WE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE WALK-INS FOR THIS EVENT)

A Sparkling Space: NYC Department of Records and Information Services

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 02:29:20 GMT

By Haley Richardson, ART Reporter

Laurie Duke, Copy Editor

Curator of Photography Michael Lorenzini discusses some of the fragile photographs being treated at the New York City Department of Records and Information Services Conservation Lab, 12 September 2012. Photograph courtesy Ryan Anthony Donaldson.

Walking into the new Visitors Center at New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS), one would never guess that the entire exhibition on display there was completed through volunteer work and with a budget of $60,000. It is not only evident that the displays of memorabilia, photographs, and documents were a labor of love, but also truly impressive that this work was achieved despite prohibitive time and monetary constraints.

I recently spoke with Eileen Flannelly, DORIS Deputy Commissioner, about the hard work that went into creating the Visitors Center.

Just a year and a half ago, the cluster of rooms adjoining the City Hall Library were little more than a "dumping ground" for the files and paperwork of former staff. Flannelly's idea to turn the unused space into a public space for the viewing of collections materials was met with little enthusiasm and even less monetary support. In response, she rallied her employees who worked together, without financial compensation, to clear out the space, box up important materials, and dispose of unneeded items. When City Hall officials were brought in to inspect the space, their surprise over the progress was clear. With the subsequent help of a $60,000 grant and the support of her superiors, Flannelly tackled the chore of installing lighting, painting walls, locating storage and display furniture, and general sprucing up. Aided by staff members, and led by Personnel Director Naomi Pacheco and Budget Director Barbara Filiberto, the department was able to createundefinedin the span of a single fiscal year and solely through volunteer laborundefineda sparkling space to showcase the story of New York City as told through its official governmental activities.

Set amidst stunning black and white photographs taken by Eugene de Salignac, gifts given to former Mayors, and an outpost of the NYC City Store, is a sizable media room. In this room, the public can investigate digitized film, video, and audio materials, including thousands of 16-inch lacquer transcription discs and open reel tapes from the vast WNYC sound collection. MJ Robinson, former Curator of Film and Moving Image for the department's WNYC-TV collection, coordinated the creation of this portion of the space.

Flannelly says the Visitors Center receives traffic not only from tour groups from historical societies, universities, and law schools, but also from high schools, a demographic group with which she is very interested in engaging. In fact, a group of interns recently completed an innovative project using Facebook: each student was assigned a Mayor (Koch, Lindsay, and La Guardia) and assembled a profile consisting of his photos, important events, and reflections. The project was the focus of a recent meeting of the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Social Media.

In addition to the Visitors Center, DORIS has recently launched, with much fanfare and acclaim, an online gallery of nearly 900,000 photographs documenting every aspect of life in New York City. This project, the product of seven years' worth of work and counting, was led by Curator of Photography Michael Lorenzini. With the help of a long stream of interns and temporary employees, photographs in a variety of formats were selected, cleaned, digitized, described, and preserved, thereby creating a digital gallery of images that has generated so much international interest that it crashed the department’s servers within minutes of press release.

On September 13, 2012, the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) co-sponsored ART’s monthly program with DORIS, which included a presentation and exclusive tours of the Visitors Center, City Hall Library, and Conservation Lab for over 100 attendees. Many who had visited before were impressed by the transformation that has taken place.

The general public is welcome to stop by the NYC Department of Records Visitors Center at 31 Chambers Street on Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. An informational video is available here.

Letter in Support of Restoring Funding to the Georgia State Archives

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:03:18 GMT

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) opposes the $732,626 in budget cuts that will effectively close the Georgia State Archives on November 1, 2012, and have written a Letter in Support of Restoring Funding to the Georgia State Archives to Georgia Governor Nathan Deal.

The letter has also been sent to Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and to Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp. In addition, a copy has been sent to the Coalition to Preserve the Georgia Archives, who hope to present letters opposing the budget cuts to Governor Deal on Wednesday, September 19 at the annual Georgia Archives Month proclamation signing.

More information about how to support the Georgia State Archives is available via the Current Actions section of the Advocacy Committee website.

Help Save the Georgia State Archives

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:23:33 GMT

As you may have heard, the Georgia State Archives is in danger of being closed due to budget issues in Georgia. Currently, the Archives is open only two days per week; however, the new budget will close the building to the public entirely and result in major staff layoffs. The closure is slated to take effect on November 1, 2012. Read the Press Release issued by Georgia Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp for further details.

The ART Board is currently drafting a letter in opposition of the budget cuts to the Georgia State Archives. We are asking you to do the same.

The deadline to submit letters is this Tuesday, September 18. The Coalition to Preserve the Georgia Archives will present copies of these letters to the Georgia Governor at the annual Georgia Archives Month proclamation signing, scheduled for Wednesday, September 19 at 11 am at the Governor’s Office in the Georgia Capitol Building.

For key messages and contact info for the governor, see the “Action Alert.“ Please e-mail a copy of your letters to Coalition to Preserve the Georgia Archives Co-Chair Kaye Minchew: kaye@trouparchives.org. Ask your family, friends, co-workers, affiliated organizations, etc., to also send a letter.

You can also:

· Sign the petition in support of the Georgia Archives

· ‘Like’ the Georgians Against Closing State Archives page on Facebook.

Thank you in advance for your efforts to save the Georgia State Archives,

Rachel Chatalbash, President

Email: president@nycarchivists.org

Tiffany Colannino, Advocacy Committee Chair

Email: advocacy@nycarchivists.org

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

2012 New York Archives Week

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 19:11:56 GMT

New York Archives Week is almost here!

Please visit our Archives Week web page for a complete listing of all ART-coordinated Archives Week events or download our 2012 Archives Week calendar here. We are thrilled to announce that approximately twenty-five Archives Week events will be held in New York City this year. On behalf of all participating institutions, we hope you can attend.

*The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York recognizes the generous sponsorship of Archives Week by MetLife and the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

Advocacy Committee Endorses the "Universal Declaration on Archives"

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:54:42 GMT

The Advocacy Committee of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. endorses the International Council on Archives’ Universal Declaration on Archives and agrees that the Declaration is an important step in improving understanding and awareness of archives among the general public and key decision-makers.

The ART Advocacy Committee encourages all ART members to review the Universal Declaration on Archives and to show their support for the Declaration by signing the Universal Declaration on Archives Register.

More information about the Universal Declaration on Archives is available via the Current Actions section of the Advocacy Committee website.

Advocacy Committee Supports the Founding of Archivists Without Borders - U.S. Chapter

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 14:34:29 GMT

The Advocacy Committee of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. supports the efforts of the Archivists Without Borders – U.S. Chapter (AwB-US) working group to bring a chapter of the international Archivists Without Borders organization to the United States.

The Advocacy Committee has written a letter of support to AwB-US, offering to act as a local resource and contact point for the New York City archives community.

Full text of the letter is available via the Current Actions section of the Advocacy Committee website.

ART Email Outage (UPDATE: Service has been restored)

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:17:41 GMT

Godaddy.com, which hosts the email accounts for the Archivists Round Table (ART), has been adversely affected today due to a hacker attack. As a result, ART is experiencing technical difficulties sending and receiving emails. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause for ART members and anyone else attempting to contact us. We will let you know as soon as this matter is resolved. Thank you.

UPDATE: Service has been restored.

ART Board appoints Karen Murphy Director of the Education Committee

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 17:02:36 GMT

On August 31, 2012 the Board of Directors of Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (ART) appointed Karen Murphy as Director of the Education Committee to fill a recently vacated position. An election to officially fill the position will take place in November at the ART Monthly Meeting and Programming Event.

Archival Exhibition Celebrates Brooklyn Academy of Music

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 02:21:59 GMT

by Nick Pavlik, Director, ART Programming Committee

Originally posted on the New York History blog, 15 August 2012.

***

When it comes to the performing arts, New York City may forever be synonymous with the Broadway musical, at least in the popular imagination.

However, while there’s a lot to be said for Broadway, New Yorkers and performing arts aficionados alike know that if you want to see the work of the most daring and innovative artists working in music, dance, and theatre today, you need to venture far away from the lights of the Great White Way.

In fact, NYC’s quintessential institution for the contemporary performing arts is not even on the island of Manhattan, but across the East River in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) has gained renown for continuously challenging and surprising audiences through its eclectic offering of groundbreaking music, dance, opera, and theatre performances featuring the work of artists who have consistently contested ideas of what the performing arts can and should be. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, for instance, BAM provided a platform for new work by such artists as John Adams, Laurie Anderson, Pina Bausch, Peter Brook, Trisha Brown, Merce Cunningham, Philip Glass, Jerzy Grotowski, the Kronos Quartet, Pearl Lang, Mark Morris, Steve Reich, Peter Sellars, and Robert Wilson, to name only a few.

Founded in 1861, BAM has been celebrating its 150th anniversary this past year through a wealth of exciting programs, one of which has been the BAM 150 Exhibition in the main lobby of BAM’s Peter Jay Sharp Building. The 150 exhibition documents BAM’s rich history through the presentation of documents, photographs, video, and other material from BAM’s Hamm Archives. In recognition of the remarkable depth of this exhibition, the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (ART) recently interviewed Sharon Lehner, Director of the BAM Hamm Archives, who was happy to shed some light on the Hamm Archives and the particulars of putting the exhibition together.

ART: Before we get into discussing the wonderful 150th Anniversary exhibition, can you briefly explain your responsibilities as Director of the BAM Hamm Archives?

SL: My main responsibilities are to represent BAM’s collections to the general public and to the scholarly community at large, and to support the day-to-day operations of the institution.

ART: The 150th Anniversary exhibition must have been quite an undertaking! Was it something BAM had planned for a long time? When did the actual setup process begin?

SL: The 150 exhibition was planned as part of a sixteen-month celebration of BAM’s 150th that included landmark performances and films, iconic artist talks, a commemorative book, a documentary film, and the 150 exhibit. We began working on the exhibit about a year before it opened.

ART: As co-curator, can you describe the role you played in the planning and implementation of the exhibit?

SL: I have worked with David Harper, BAM art curator, on a number of exhibits. We both like to do everything, so our roles were not clearly defined. Like many projects at BAM, we had a lot of creative collaborators, including people from press, marketing, design, digital media, and general management to name only a few. We even worked together with the special events team to create the décor for the BAM 150 Gala.

ART: What types of material have visitors been able to see in the exhibition? Are there any items that you are particularly excited to have seen make the cut?

SL: Because of the highly visual nature of BAM’s contemporary work, we featured many photographs, video, slideshows, posters, and contact sheets. We felt it fitting to display SWAG because of BAM’s strong brand identity. We also included lighting plots and other performance elements. For a look “inside” the institution, we included some correspondence such as a funny exchange between Polish theatre director Jerzy Grotowski and BAM President Emeritus Harvey Lichtenstein.

ART: Most visitors to the exhibit are surely aware of the important role BAM has played throughout the history of the performing arts in America. But BAM has served other purposes as well throughout its long history as a center of Brooklyn's cultural life. Are there any aspects of BAM's history featured in the exhibit that have likely come as a surprise to visitors?

SL: In part 1 of the exhibit, 1861-1967, we featured way too many dance cards. I just love dance cards. They are beautifully designed for festive events and they document what a diverse community Brooklyn has been since 1861.

ART: It was recently announced that the BAM Hamm Archives have received a $1 million grant from the Leon Levy Foundation to create the Leon Levy BAM Digital Archive. What will be the scope and extent of this exciting project?

SL: We are so grateful to the Levy Foundation for their support. The grant will be used to catalogue, selectively digitize, and make available many gems from the oldest performing arts center in the country for the first time.

There's still time to see the BAM 150 Exhibition before it closes on August 31st! More information about BAM's 150th Anniversary can be found at http://www.bam.org/about/150-years.

Photos, from top: Program for performance featuring Isadora Duncan Dancers and pianist George Copeland; poster for BAM debut of Pina Bausch's Tanztheater Wuppertal, 1984; Amaranth dance card, 1875.

Scientific (Re)Discoveries: Hidden Collections at the American Museum of Natural History

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 02:50:55 GMT

Scientific (Re)Discoveries: Hidden Collections at the American Museum of Natural History

By Haley Richardson, Archivists Round Table Reporter

Archival materials in the Frank Boas Photo Collection illustrate the stark differences in levels of archival processing found by archivists working on the Hidden Collections project. Photo by Lauren Dzura.

In February 2011, the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Research Library staff embarked upon two grant-funded projects designed to inventory and assess library and archives collections from the museum's science divisions. As part of these ongoing projects, teams of student interns collect basic information on uncatalogued collections of photos, correspondence, monographs, drawings, slides, and other formats from all departments. At the end of each semester-long cataloging phase, this metadata is transformed into a Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) record using MarcEdit, added to the AMNH Research Library OPAC, or transformed in to an EAD-encoded archival finding aid, to be later fleshed out based on newly discovered connections and current research interests. Some of the metadata will also be included in the museum's contributions to the Field Book Registry, which is being developed and hosted by the Smithsonian Institution Archives. In further fulfillment of project goals, a risk assessment phase is planned for inclusion in a larger, museum-wide survey of collections.

As teams of students plow through the collections, they are also creating a magnificent account of their work through the Hidden Collections project blog. The posts, many of which include photos and links to outside sources, read like diary records of archival intrigue. An intern may become fascinated by a photo and compose an entry devoted solely to a long-forgotten photographer or revered subject, or perhaps the puzzle of inventorying mixed-media collections might inspire a post soliciting help from supervisors and other interns. The sense of discovery evident in each entry is enough to make any history or science buff a bit jealous and may infect even the most world-weary archivist with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement. Lovers of data collection and information organization will enjoy reading about the development of workflows for data conversion, especially when they include flowcharts. Squirrel lovers, too, will find something of interest here.

At an Archivists Round Table presentation in June, AMNH Archivist Barbara Mathé, along with Project Archivists Iris Lee and Rebecca Morgan, described the projects, specifically the planned methodology for metadata collection and repurposing, as well as future plans for creating complex authority records to facilitate the use of linked data. The linked data will aid in connecting records within the institution, as well as connecting distributed data sets across the web and far beyond the AMNH's walls.

Although the collected metadata is very basic at this stage, archivists Lee and Morgan have already noted the project's impact on museum staff. Long-term volunteers have gotten involved in the inventorying effort by processing collections, creating finding aids, and beginning the task of defining controlled authorities. Just having the archival materials out of storage seems to be inspiring staff members to research and use the long-forgotten items. “Keeping an open conversation with the reference librarians and other employees in the Library about the work that we are doing has been a useful exercise for discovering related material or simply finding out about resources we did not realize we had,” they said.

One project goal- the repurposing of collected data sets to create linked data within the institution- is certainly on many archivists' minds these days. Lee and Morgan underscore the importance of extensible mark up, saying they are constantly thinking about ways to include linked data in the project metadata and catalog records by utilizing library and archives standards such as EAD and EAC-CPF, controlled vocabularies, and Google Refine technologies. To date, they have successfully repurposed the spreadsheet data collected by interns into a risk assessment database.

Thank you to Barbara Mathé, Iris Lee, Rebecca Morgan, and Laurie Duke for their help with this blog post. The AMNH Research Library also would like to thank the Council on Library and Information Resources and the Institute for Museum and Library Services for their support.

Check out the project blog here: http ://images .library .amnh .org /hiddencollections /

Celebrate the 24th Annual New York Archives Week! Plan an event!

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:39:34 GMT

This fall, the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (ART) will be celebrating its 24th Annual New York Archives Week, October 7th - 13th, 2012. Archives Week events are designed to raise the public’s awareness of the importance of preserving and making accessible our documentary heritage. Activities include a wide range of programming, including lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and tours of repositories, all free and open to the public.

Archives Week is intended to be a coordinated effort to bring the significance and accomplishments of archives to the public's attention. Last year, over two dozen institutions in New York City held events or exhibitions relating to archival records. We would like to see similar participation this year and thus urge you and your repositories to plan an Archives Week event.

Suggested Archives Week activities:

* Hold an open house, highlighting unique materials held by your repository.

* Mount an exhibit using materials from your repository.

* Demonstrate or report on activities/projects supported by grants.

* Ask a researcher to speak on the value of your collections to his/her research.

* Present a film festival using films or videos held by your repository.

* Sponsor lunchtime talks by archivists, historians, and other researchers.

* Organize a walking tour of your repository's neighborhood.

In addition, as part of an effort to draw public attention to Archives Week and highlight the importance of our repositories and collections, ART will sponsor three events: on the evening of Thursday, October 11th we will honor our colleagues at our Annual Awards Ceremony; on Friday, October 12th we will hold a full-day symposium, “Archives and Activism;” and on Saturday, October 13th, the third annual K-12 Archives Education Institute will take place.

For all other Archives Week events, please complete the 2012_Event_Form.doc to be submitted for inclusion in the Archivists Round Table Archives Week event calendar. The deadline for submission of the form is Friday, August 31st. The form should be emailed to secretary@nycarchivists.org.

ART mourns the loss of Michael Nash

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:43:58 GMT

ART mourns the loss of our friend and colleague Michael Nash, Head of the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives at New York University. His obituary was published in The New York Times on July 29, 2012:

NASH--Michael, Head of Tamiment Library -- NYU Libraries mourns the passing of our colleague; innovative archivist of left politics, labor, and human rights; scholar; teacher; dear friend. He transformed his library, his profession, and our understanding of the historical record. Our hearts are with his family. Memorial gifts may be sent for Tamiment to the Michael Nash Memorial Fund, Dean's Office, 70 Washington Square S, New York, NY 10012, or to organizations fostering social justice.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?pid=158818028#fbLoggedOut

ART Board Elections

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 01:34:49 GMT

On June 19, the American Museum of Natural History Research Library hosted this year’s annual business meeting, along with the June programming event that featured a presentation on the American Museum of Natural History Archive Project. At the meeting, members voted, by ballot and by proxy via email, selecting candidates for the ART Board of Directors.

Several structural changes have now come into effect with the revised by-laws which were approved by members in May. In accordance with revised by-laws, new board positions were created including Programming Director, Communications Director and Outreach and Advocacy Director.

2012 Election Results:

President (2012-2013)
Rachel Chatalbash

Rachel Chatalbash holds the position of Archivist at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Previously, she held archives positions at the MIT Museum and Northeastern University. She received her M.S. in archives management from Simmons College and is currently a PhD candidate in art history at the CUNY Graduate Center. Rachel served on the Board of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York as President from 2010–2012, as Coordinator of the Communications and Outreach Committee from 2008–2010 and as Editor-in-Chief for ART’s Metropolitan Archivist from 2006 to 2010. During her time with ART, Rachel has been responsible for expanding the organization’s programs, including developing outreach programs for local communities and new ART-sponsored New York Archives Week events, increasing membership numbers and member services, and leading ART’s participation in significant advocacy campaigns.

Vice President (2012–2013)
President (2013–2014)
Pamela Cruz

Pamela Cruz is director of the National Historic Preservation Center for Girls Scouts of the USA. She has extensive global experience in assessment, organization, preservation and management of asset collections, and creating systems for tracking and storage. Prior to arrival at GSUSA in July 2008, Pamela was Vice President, Archival Services for Miramax Films, for eight years and Antiques Manager at Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation for 13 years. During her years at Miramax, she was responsible for the inception of the Miramax Archives Department, created archive databases, and handled taxonomy and nomenclature and systems for Miramax and Dimension Films and the personal archives of the co-chairmen of the company. She worked with film asset collections in Italy, France, Mexico, Romania, and in the U.S. and on various exhibits and special projects for museums and other venues. At Polo she managed the inventory of high-end antiques and decorative arts used for Polo stores, wholesale showrooms, advertising shoots, and special events. Pamela’s work with ART includes Programming Committee volunteer in 2011 and service on the Board as Vice President for the current 2011–2012 membership year where she was responsible for ART Monthly Meetings and Programming and facilitating the work of the Programming Committee, as well as supporting the Board on ART initiatives.

Education Committee, Director (2012–2013)
Tessa Fallon

Tessa Fallon is a Web Collection Curator at Columbia University Libraries. She is currently an ART member and in the past she has been a volunteer for the Programming and Outreach Committees. Tessa holds an MSLIS from the Palmer School of Library and Information Science and a certificate in Archives and Records Management.

Programming Committee, Director (2012–2013)
Nick Pavlik

Nick Pavlik graduated from the Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies in December 2011 and is currently the archivist for the 92nd Street Y. Prior to that, Nick was a member of the project team for “Uncovering the Secrets of Brooklyn's Nineteenth-Century Past: Creation to Consolidation,” an archival survey project at the Brooklyn Historical Society. He has also interned as an archivist at the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Transit Museum.

Membership Committee, Director (2012–2014)
Anne Petrimoulx

Anne is the Assistant Archivist at Trinity Wall Street, a position she has held since 2008. She received her MSIS with concentrations in Archival Administration and Electronic Records from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008. While in school, Anne worked in the archives at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and did volunteer work at the Harry Ransom Center. Anne has been a member and volunteer with ART since 2009, helping with the work of the Education Committee and the Outreach Committee, contributing the Metropolitan Archivist, and helping to coordinate the 2010 NYAC conference, as well as various ART workshops held at her institution.

Communications Committee, Director (2012–2014)
Ryan Anthony Donaldson

Ryan Anthony Donaldson, CA, is currently the Archivist with the Durst Organization, Inc., a fourth-generation family real estate firm in New York, New York. In 2007, Ryan earned an M.A. in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program (CGP) in Cooperstown, New York, and served as CGP’s archivist. He has previously interned with the Archives and Special Collections department at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Seymour B. Durst Old York Library and Reading Room, and Missouri Historical Society.

Outreach and Advocacy Committee, Director (2012–2014)
Janet Bunde

Janet Bunde currently serves as the Assistant University Archivist and Archivist of the John Brademas Congressional Papers at New York University. She received her M.A. in history with a certificate in archival administration from NYU in 2007. Her areas of professional interest and research include both advocacy and incorporating archival materials into educational instruction. For the past several years Janet has chaired ART’s Outreach Committee. In that capacity she has been fortunate to work with many ART members to plan two successful Archives Education Institutes, pairing local K–12 educators with archivists to connect archivists to new groups of users and teachers with materials they can use in the classroom.

Secretary (2012–2014)
Melissa Bowling

Melissa Bowling currently works as an Assistant Archivist in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Archives. In 2008, Melissa received her MLIS and certificates in Archives and Museum Libraries from Pratt Institute. She has previously worked for the American Civil Liberties Union Archives as Archives Assistant, interned in the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Archives, and volunteered in the Western Connecticut State University Archives. Melissa also served on the ART Bylaws Revision Committee 2011–2012.

Mitch Brodsky continues to serve as ART Treasurer.

ART thanks Heather Ball, Elizabeth Pope, and Catherine Carson Ricciardi for their contributions over the past two years as Membership and Nominating Committee Coordinator, Education Committee Coordinator, and Secretary.

Originally posted in the July/August 2012 edition of For The Record: News From The Archivists Round Table.

"For The Record" News from ART. July/August 2012 is now out!

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:04:25 GMT

The ART Board invites you to check out the July/August 2012 edition of For The Record: News From The Archivists Round Table.

You can access For The Record within your browser here.

For The Record provides members with the latest news between meetings and will keep members informed in-between issues of Metropolitan Archivist, our semi-annual publication.

For future editions, we encourage you to subscribe if you have not done so already.

Here is a direct link to sign up.

You will have the option of receiving For The Record as HTML, text, or in mobile format.

Emma Curtis serves as Editor, and all content is compiled by the ART Communications Committee. Communications relating to For The Record can be directed to commchair@nycarchivists.org.

New Metropolitan Archivist Issue Out Now!

Sat, 30 Jun 2012 19:17:52 GMT

The new summer issue of Metropolitan Archivist, with contributions highlighting the theme of trends and transitions, is now available on the ART website, for direct download here, or on Scribd.

In this issue:

*FEATURES*
"Shedding New Light on World War II in the Archives of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection"

"Oyster Bay Historical Society Takes up Atlas Digitization"

"Litchfield Historical Society’s Archives Acquires Business Record of Local Entrepreneur, Elijah Boardman"

"More Product, Less Process: The Evolving Process of Connecting Theory with Practice"

"Collaboration and Digitization: Transitions in Collections Access at the Seamen’s Church Institute Archives"

*INTERVIEW(s) WITH THE ARCHIVIST(s)*
Marcos Sueiro Bal and Regina Feeney

*REACHING OUT*
Woody Guthrie Archives and Dance Heritage Coalition

*BOOK REVIEW*
The Lone Arranger: Succeeding in a Small Repository by Christina Zamon

*CITING COLLECTIONS*
With Thomas Lannon and the New York Public Library

*EXHIBITIONS REVIEW*
Edith Wharton’s New York City: A Backward Glance and Star Quality: The World of Noel Coward

*REPOSITORY REVIEWS*
Stephen B. Luce Library, Archives, & Special Collections and the Ernest A. Liner collection at AMNH

*ART NEWS*
Sixteen submissions, including the announcement of new Metropolitan Archivist managing editor, Rachel L. Conrad. Also, see the final call for papers for the “Archiving the Arts” symposium.

*PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORTS* …and more!

*All comments, questions, republication inquiries, and letters to the editor may be directed to editor@nycarchivists.org*

All Aboard Or On the Road: Woody Guthrie Archives Tour

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:02:31 GMT

On the morning of June 13th, a small band of ART members hopped aboard the 9:48AM Harlem Line train at Grand Central Terminal. They were joined by a few others who drove directly to Mount Kisco for an exclusive tour of the Woody Guthrie Archives. The tour was led by Tiffany Colannino, Archivist.

Since 1996, the Woody Guthrie Foundation & Archives has helped properly preserve and creatively promote the life, music, and work of Woody Guthrie. First amassed in Manhattan, now housed in Mount Kisco, and soon headed for Tulsa, Oklahoma, the collection comprises Guthrie’s original song lyrics, diaries, photographs, correspondence, personal papers, scrapbooks, artwork, films, and audio recordings. Seeing the breadth of the collection, all in one place, quickly expands one’s understanding of Guthrie not only as a musician, but also as a political activist and social commentator, vivid writer, and gifted visual artist.

Tiffany Colannino, Archivist, leads a group tour of the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives in Mount Kisco, NY. The group, comprised of members of the Archivists Round Table, examined some of Woody Guthrie's notebooks. Photograph courtesy Ryan Anthony Donaldson, 13 June 2012. Image via archivistsrt Flickr

The group consensus of the tour’s highlight was holding Guthrie’s original notebooks, filled with his lyrics, aphorisms, illustrations, opinions, and observations. After admiring Tiffany’s custom enclosure cases (with velcro!) for the notebooks, we relished the privilege of witnessing Guthrie’s dazzling mind at work on paper. What heightened the experience of poring over the notebooks was the thrilling opportunity to meet Nora Guthrie, Director, and Anna Canoni, Publicity Director for Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc. Nora Guthrie spoke eloquently of her father; she has made remarkable efforts to personally work with musicians, writers, filmmakers and those inspired by Woody Guthrie to license and share his music and art, thereby expanding his legacy.

All in attendance cherished this tour experience, and we were amazed to hear how much the mighty archives staff, totaling two, has accomplished. In addition to managing the archives, licensing rights, offering educational programming and traveling exhibits, and assisting researchers, the archives staff is celebrating Woody Guthrie’s centennial. Please visit http://www.woody100.com/ to learn more.

ART gratefully acknowledges and thanks the Woody Guthrie Foundation & Archives for this exclusive opportunity for ART membership.

*
Submitted by Ryan Anthony Donaldson, ART Communications Director

2012-2013 Board Elections

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 01:12:30 GMT

2012-2013 Board Elections

Please cast your vote for ART's new Board members at our June 19th meeting at the American Museum of Natural History Research Library from 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm.

Please follow this link to view each candidate's bio and statement.

If you are unable to attend our meeting, you can vote by proxy via email. Please send an email to membership@nycarchivists.org by 5pm on June 18th, attaching the ballot sent to you by the ART Membership and Nominating Coordinator and including your full name. You must vote using the email address registered with your ART membership account.

Thank you to all, and good luck to our candidates!

Archives and Activism: Call for Participation

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:36:04 GMT

Archives and Activism: Call for Participation

“The rebellion of the archivist against his normal role is not, as so many scholars fear, the politicizing of a neutral craft, but the humanizing of an inevitably political craft."
-- Howard Zinn "Secrecy, Archives, and the Public Interest," Vol. II, No. 2 (1977) of Midwestern Archivist.

The boundaries between "archivist" and "activist" have become increasingly porous, rendering ready distinctions between archivists (traditionally restricted to the preservation of records, maintaining accountability, and making critical information available to the communities they serve) and activists (who, with greater frequency, look to archives or adopt elements of archival practice as a means of documenting their struggles) virtually unsustainable. In the past year, archivists and citizen activists collaborated to document the Occupy Wall Street movement, and archivists committed to open government worked with the New York City Council to advocate for keeping the Municipal Archives as an independent city agency. While the apparent convergence of archival and activist worlds may appear a timely and relevant topic, these distinct communities often deliberate their roles separately with little dialogue.

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York and the New School Archives and Special Collections are sponsoring a symposium to bring together a diverse group of archivists, activists, students, and theorists with the aim of facilitating discussion of their respective concerns. Among its proposed topics, the symposium will address potential roles that archivists may engage in as activists, as well as how archivists can assume a greater role in documenting and contributing toward social and political change.

Possible areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

-Archivists documenting the work of activists and activist movements
-Activists confronting traditional archival practice
-Possible models for an emergent “activist archives”
-Methodologies for more comprehensively documenting activism
-Archivist and activist collaborations
-Community-led archives and repositories operating outside of the archival establishment
-Archives as sites of knowledge (re)production and in(ter)vention
-Relational paradigms for mapping the interplay of power, justice, and archives
-Critical pedagogy in the reference encounter
-Interrogating preconceptions and misunderstandings that obscure common goals

Date: Friday, October 12, 2012

Location: Theresa Lang Community and Student Center, The New School

All individual presentations will be 20 minutes long (10 page paper).
Submissions must include a title, name of author and institutional affiliation (if applicable), abstract (250 words max), and indication of technological requirements.
Individual papers or entire panel proposals accepted.

Deadline for Proposals: Proposals should be emailed to admin@nycarchivists.org by August 1, 2012.

U.S. Chapter of Archivists without Borders - Founding Documents Open For Comments

Thu, 31 May 2012 18:08:57 GMT

The ART Advocacy Committee is helping disseminate information about the formation of the United States Chapter of Archivists without Borders (AwB-US), whose stated mission is currently to “unite archival professionals through education, outreach, and advocacy to support human rights, underrepresented populations, and endangered archives both in the United States and in collaboration with international chapters.”

The AwB-US organizing working group has posted the first phase of their founding documents online, and call upon the archives community to review and comment upon these documents. The first phase of the proposal, including background information and mission statement, are open for comments until June 1.

A second phase of the proposal, consisting of a statement of financial organization, goals, and membership qualifications, will be made available for comments beginning on June 1, 2012.

Documents are available for review and comment on the AwB-US website: http://awbuschapter.wordpress.com.

Nominations Open for ART Board Elections

Sun, 27 May 2012 21:41:26 GMT

Nominations Open for ART Board Elections

Submitted by: ART Membership and Nominating Committee

ART's newest bylaws were accepted by member vote on May 10, 2012. A copy of the ART bylaws is available for download here. As a result of our new bylaws, Board positions have been amended to better support our organization (descriptions of all positions may be found in the bylaws).

This realignment coincides with our elections for this year-- please find listed below the Board positions available for the 2012-2013 election, along with their descriptions (all positions are for two-year terms, excepting the President, Director of Education Committee, and Director of Programming for this year only, which will be one year):

President

The President shall be the chief executive officer of ART and shall have general supervision over the business of the organization, subject, however, to the control of the Board. The President shall be the official spokesperson for ART. The President shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the Board; shall be an ex officio member of all committees; and, in general, shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board.

Vice President

At the request of the President, or in the absence of the President, at the request of the Board, the Vice President shall perform all of the duties of the President and so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all restrictions upon the President. The Vice President shall solicit nominations for Director, officer and committee positions; inform the nominator and nominee of the nomination; prepare ballots with candidates’ biographies and statements; and appoint an independent election committee to receive and count the ballots. The Vice President shall serve as liaison with the President to national, regional and local professional associations; prepare a report for the Annual Business Meeting; and perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board or by the President.

Director of the Communications Committee

The Director of the Communications Committee shall identify the communications requirements of ART; update and produce publications for ART, as needed, or as requested by the Board; communicate the concerns of ART on 9 various subjects as needed; and perform other duties applicable to the office as prescribed by the Board.

Director of the Outreach and Advocacy Committee

The Director of the Outreach and Advocacy Committee shall conduct outreach by coordinating community programs and promoting awareness of ART to other organizations and community groups, promote the archival profession to new audiences, advocate for the preservation and increased use of historical materials, and influence policy decisions that affect the archives profession.

Director of the Programming Committee

The Director Programming Committee shall recommend to the Board topics and venue locations for regular programs; distribute the notice of the program topics and venue locations to the Members; and make all arrangements for regular programs, including alternate arrangements, as necessary. The Programming Committee shall coordinate with other Members of ART to insure that at least one program per month will be offered between the months of September and June, or as otherwise determined by the Board.

Director of the Membership Committee

The Director of the Membership Committee shall encourage institutional and individual membership in ART; develop and update an orientation packet for new Members; collect and maintain personal information submitted by Members, and document the reasons Members have not renewed their membership.

Director of the Education Committee

The Director of the Education Committee shall determine the continuing educational needs of the archival community; make recommendations to the Board for both short-term and long-term projects for ART sponsorship; and propose topics and make arrangements for a minimum of three education programs annually. Education events may be offered in addition to the regular monthly or offered as the regular monthly program, but must be coordinated with the Programming Committee.

Secretary

The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board, and shall keep the minutes thereof; shall be custodian of the seal of ART and may seal with the seal of ART; shall have charge of the books, records and papers of ART relating to its organization and management as an organization, and shall see that the reports, statements and other documents required by law are properly kept and filed; shall manage the archives of the Archivists Round Table according to the Records Retention Policy and Schedule of the Corporation and shall, in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board or by the President.

At this time, we would like to open nominations for the election to our members-- please contact us at membership@nycarchivists.org if you would like to nominate someone, including yourself, for a position on the Board, and that name will be included on the official ballot to be voted on at the annual business meeting in June. Serving on the ART Board offers numerous benefits, such as gaining leadership experience, the experience to manage committee projects, and most importantly serving as a representative for your colleagues and for ART membership.

If there are any questions about the open positions, or this year's election, feel free to contact the Membership and Nominating Committee at membership@nycarchivists.org.

Call for Submissions: Promote Your Online Presence with ART

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:58:14 GMT

Call for Submissions: Promote Your Online Presence with ART

The Communications and Outreach Committee of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York is looking to increase the ways in which we promote and support the activities of ART members and partners.

The Committee currently manages ART's presence on Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as well as producing the semi-annual publication, Metropolitan Archivist and the regular e-newsletter, For the Record.

To those ART members and partners with an active online presence, institutional or individual, we invite you to submit your details to the Communications and Outreach Committee by June 15, 2012. Submissions can be sent directly to communications@nycarchivists.org. Information received will be used to expand member and partner visibility to colleagues through ART's existing online community and publications.

Examples include social media profiles on Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as well as blogs or profiles on video, audio or photo sharing sites.

For further information please contact Emma Curtis, Communications Chair at communications@nycarchivists.org.

Thank you for your participation!

Sincerely,
ART Communications and Outreach Committee

Revised Bylaws Approved

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:10:13 GMT

ART's newest bylaws were accepted by member vote on May 10, 2012.

A copy of the ART bylaws is available for download here.

"For The Record" News from ART May/June '12 Now Available!

Wed, 09 May 2012 23:12:06 GMT

The ART Board invites you to check out the May/June 2012 edition of For The Record: News From The Archivists Round Table.

You can access For The Record within your browser here.

For The Record provides members with the latest news between meetings and will keep members informed in-between issues of Metropolitan Archivist, our semi-annual publication.

For future editions, we encourage you to subscribe if you have not done so already.

Here is a direct link to sign up: http://bit.ly/IJUK8x

You will have the option of receiving For The Record as HTML, text, or in mobile format.

Emma Curtis serves as Editor, and all content is compiled by the ART Communications and Outreach Committee.

Please contact Ryan Donaldson, Coordinator, Communications and Outreach Committee at outreach@nycarchivists.org

Welcome Aboard! Tiffany Colannino Appointed as New ART Advocacy Committee Chair

Fri, 04 May 2012 03:02:50 GMT

Photograph by Bradly Brown.

The ART Board is pleased to announce that Tiffany Colannino has been appointed as Chair of the Advocacy Committee. The Advocacy Committee addresses significant issues facing archivists at the national and regional levels. The Committee is dedicated to actively promoting and supporting the archives profession and the work of archivists. The Committee: serves as a voice for the archives community; reports on pending state and federal legislation in a timely manner; promotes archives and archival issues to government, decision-makers, funders, other organizations, the media and the general public; and provides resources to archivists so they can better advocate for the profession, their repositories, and themselves.

Tiffany Colannino is the Archivist for the Woody Guthrie Foundation & Archives in Mount Kisco, New York. A graduate of Simmons College, Tiffany obtained a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Sciences, with a concentration in Archival Management. Prior to arrival at the Woody Guthrie Archives in September 2007, Tiffany interned and worked in a variety of archival repositories, including the Institute Archives and Special Collections at MIT, the Tufts University Digital Collections and Archives, and the Simmons College Archives.

As the lone arranger overseeing the daily activities of the Woody Guthrie Archives, Tiffany manages all aspects of the Archives, including collections maintenance, researcher requests, image licensing, educational programming, donor relations, technology, and acquisitions. In addition, Tiffany has presented domestic and international public educational programming related to the Woody Guthrie Archives, and has worked with a variety of museums world-wide to curate special exhibits of archival material from the Collection. She also manages an annual summer internship program, engages in grant-funded digitization projects, and has started new ventures, including an international archives exchange.

During her free time, Tiffany likes to attend music festivals and concerts. A native of Montreal, Quebec, she also enjoys traveling throughout the United States, and exploring New York City. ART members are encouraged to join the Advocacy Committee to work with Tiffany on future endeavors. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Tiffany at advocacy@nycarchivists.org.

ART Awards - Call for Nominations

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:38:26 GMT

Each year ART presents four awards during Archives Week. These awards recognize Outstanding Support of Archives, Innovative Use of Archives, Archival Achievement, and Educational Use of Archives.

We invite members to submit nominations for worthy colleagues, archival organizations, and innovative projects. The awards acknowledge distinguished work and long term achievements in our profession. Nominees must be members of ART or operate within the New York metropolitan area.

For more information about the awards, and to submit a nomination, please use the form here. The Awards Committee will be accepting nominations through May 18, 2012.

This year's Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 11th at the New York Junior League, following a reception at 6:00pm.

New Volunteer Opportunities!

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:41:39 GMT

Please check out our updated list of volunteer opportunities here.

New York History Blog Post: Woody Guthrie Centennial Celebration

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:54:30 GMT

The following post originally appeared in the New York History Blog, and is reprinted below:

Music legend and songwriting luminary Woody Guthrie was born on July 14, 1912, and this year marks his centennial birthday. To celebrate, the Grammy Museum, the Guthrie family,Woody Guthrie Publications and the Woody Guthrie Archives have planned an international program of events, including tours, concerts, festivals, and conferences.

Ryan Anthony Donaldson of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (ART) recently had the chance to ask Tiffany Colannino a few questions about the Woody Guthrie Centennial Celebration. Tiffany is the Archivist with the Woody Guthrie Archives, currently located in Mount Kisco, New York, as well as the newly appointed ART Advocacy Chair.

ART: How did the centennial partnership between the GRAMMY Museum, Guthrie Family/Woody Guthrie Publications, and Woody Guthrie Archives come about?

TC: The centennial partnership between the GRAMMY Museum and the Woody Guthrie Archives has deep roots. For starters, we are both non-profit organizations committed to the history of American music. The Archives’ mission is to perpetuate Woody Guthrie’s life and legacy through the proactive preservation of his Archival material, whereas the GRAMMY Museum’s mission is to explore and celebrate the enduring legacies of all forms of music. Although these missions differ, with the Archives’ focus on preservation and research, and the GRAMMY Museum on public programs and activities, our two organizations can work together to use these archival documents to bring Guthrie’s life to a broad audience.

But it’s more than just our missions that link us together: Robert Santelli, Executive Director of the GRAMMY Museum, is actually a former researcher at the Woody Guthrie Archives. Since 1990, Santelli has researched in the Archives in support of several Woody Guthrie book projects, including his 2012 work This Land Is Your Land: Woody Guthrie and the Journey of the American Folk Song. He has maintained an active working relationship with Nora Guthrie – President of Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc and Director of the Woody Guthrie Archives – for over 20 years.

In a recent press release, Nora Guthrie comments on this partnership, remarking: "Because of its deep enthusiasm for Woody's creative legacy as well as the underlying influence he's had on so many musicians and songwriters in all genres of American music, the GRAMMY Museum is the obvious choice to help us celebrate the legacy that he created."

The centennial celebrations will include concerts, conferences, and exhibits across the United States, Canada, and Europe. We’ve launchedwww.Woody100.com as a one-stop-shop for all of our North American events, and www.Woody100.de for our European events. In addition to the events we are planning with the GRAMMY Museum, these sites also list the Grassroots events that Guthrie fans and supporters are planning across the world, including lecture series, concerts, hootenannies, and exhibits. In addition, there are many new releases – books, films, and musical albums – including many based solely on material from the Woody Guthrie Archives, set to launch in 2012 to help celebrate Guthrie’s centennial, and perpetuate his legacy.

ART: In terms of centennial celebrations for Woody in the New York area, there will be a concert at Brooklyn College as well as a conference at Penn State University in September. What topics relating to Woody Guthrie would you like to see explored at the conference?

TC: That’s a tough question, because there are so many facets of Woody Guthrie’s life yet to be explored! However, the great thing about the academic conferences being planned for this year is that rather than focus solely on a specific aspect of Guthrie’s life, each conference will use Guthrie as the starting point to open a discussion on a broader, contemporary theme. The theme for each conference will be selected by the host institution, allowing them to decide on a topic that is of direct relevance to their local community.

The 2012 Woody Guthrie Centennial Celebrations will include four large academic conferences: Tulsa, Los Angeles, Penn State, and Brooklyn.

The Tulsa conference, Different Shades of Red: Woody Guthrie and the Oklahoma Experience at 100, used Guthrie as a stepping stone to discuss Oklahoma politics. At the University of Southern California conference, Woody Guthrie’s Los Angeles: A Centenary Celebration, we’ll talk about Los Angeles in the late 1930s, where Guthrie worked for several local radio stations and wrote for various newspapers after fleeing the Dust Bowl. Woody At 100: Woody’s Legacy to Working Men & Women, the Penn State conference in September, will use Guthrie to focus on the labor movement and unions, while the theme for the Brooklyn conference, also in September, is yet to be announced.

ART: It has been announced that the research collection of the Woody Guthrie Archives will be relocating from Mount Kisco, NY, to Woody's home state of Oklahoma in 2013. How is the planning coming along for it?

TC: In 2013, the Woody Guthrie Archives will relocate from Mount Kisco, New York to a permanent home with the George Kaiser Family Foundation in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a native Oklahoman, this move will truly bring Guthrie’s life full circle!

The Archives will be located in a repurposed warehouse – the Tulsa Paper Company – along with other arts oriented organizations, and I have had the opportunity to walk through the building site several times. Work is already underway, and it is exciting to see the Archives’ new home come to life! I have had meetings with the building architects to review design plans and requirements, discussing the archival needs to be taken into consideration during the design phase. This relocation to Tulsa will ensure continued researcher access to the material in the collection, and the long-term preservation of over 10,000 pages of documents held in the Woody Guthrie Archives.

More information on Woody Guthrie centennial events is available online.

Advocacy Alert: NJ State Division of Archives and Records Management

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:51:03 GMT

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ACTION ALERT

The Issue: The proposed FY2013 state budget released by NJ Governor Chris Christie calls for splitting the State Division of Archives and Records Management (DARM), transferring its records management program to the Department of the Treasury and leaving the State Archives behind in the Department of State. This proposal would sever a function of government that was integrated nearly a century ago, at the urging of New Jersey’s history community, to ensure public records preservation and improved government accountability. Separating these integrated and interdependent functions will seriously hamper the effective management of records and archives for State and local government, and put New Jersey’s documentary heritage at risk.

Contact: Call, write, fax, or e-mail the following individuals and your district legislators urging them to transfer the State’s Archives and Records Management programs to the Department of the Treasury as one agency. At least send a short email to the NJ Governor or call:

Governor: Hon. Chris Christie, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625-0001	Tel. (609) 292-6000
	Fax (609) 292-3454
	E-mail Chris.Christie@gov.state.nj.us

New York History Blog Post: "A New Face for the Associated Press" by Nick Pavlik

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:59:13 GMT

Nick Pavlik has written a post for the New York History blog on the Associated Press Archives and about the recent ART monthly program at AP:

http://www.newyorkhistoryblog.com/2012/03/nick-pavlik-new-face-for-associated.html

DORIS Sign-On Letter Update

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:30:25 GMT

We are nearing 1,500 signatures for the sign-on letter in support of NYC's
Dept. of Records and Information Services. Thank you to all who have helped with this advocacy effort! The sign-on letter deadline is soon, so please sign-on today- http://bit.ly/yeO7q8.

"For The Record" March 2012 Edition Now Available!

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:18:45 GMT

The ART Board invites you to check out the March 2012 edition of For The Record: News From The Archivists Round Table.

You can access For The Record within your browser here.

For The Record provides members with the latest news between meetings and will keep members informed in-between issues of Metropolitan Archivist, our semi-annual publication.

For future editions, we encourage you to subscribe if you have not done so already.

Here is a direct link to sign up: http://bit.ly/wnO7T1

You will have the option of receiving For The Record as HTML, text, or in mobile format.

Emma Curtis serves as Editor, and all content is compiled by the ART Communications and Outreach Committee.

Please contact Ryan Donaldson, Coordinator, Communications and Outreach Committee at outreach@nycarchivists.org with any comments, questions, or suggestions.

ART Member Nick Pavlik Joins the New York History Blog

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:23:03 GMT

We are pleased to announce that ART member Nick Pavik has joined as ART’s Editor for member contributions to the New York History blog. Providing “historical news and views from the Empire State,” New York History reaches nearly 2,000 people each day via Email, RSS, Twitter, and Facebook updates.

Nick is a recent graduate from the MLS program at Queens College, CUNY, and is now the archivist for the 92nd Street Y. Founded in 1874, 92Y is one of New York's preeminent cultural institutions, conducting a wide range of community programs and presenting performances, readings, discussions, and lectures from world-renowned political leaders, scholars, literary figures, and performing artists. Prior to joining 92Y, Nick was a member of the project team for "Uncovering the Secrets of Brooklyn's Nineteenth-Century Past: Creation to Consolidation," an archival survey project at the Brooklyn Historical Society that resulted in the creation of hundreds of online descriptive records for BHS's unique and invaluable collections. Nick has also worked as an intern at the archives of the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Transit Museum.

On the New York History blog, Nick will be posting content related to ART’s activities and events, as well as general NYC archival news and updates. Nick’s posts so far include articles about NYC’s Department of Records and Information Services as well as a Q+A with Tessa Fallon of the Human Rights Web Archive at Columbia University Library. He welcomes your ideas for future content, and can be reached at nickpavlik@gmail.com.

Please Help the NYC Department of Records and Information Services

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 23:04:58 GMT

At the behest of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, the New York City Council has proposed legislation (Int. 486-2011) that would eliminate the autonomy of New York City’s Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS), the agency that is responsible for the records and archival documents produced by past and present City governments.

Please add your name to the sign-on letter to oppose the proposed legislation, and advocate for the preservation of DORIS as an autonomous records agency, with the financial support and professional respect it deserves. The sign-on letter is located at http://www.nycarchivists.org/doris_petition. Every signature matters. Help New York City, as an international cultural and financial leader, and the place with the greatest variety and highest density of archives in the world, set the standard for how a democratic government preserves and makes accessible its documentary heritage.

Our full position statement on the proposed Legislation (Int. 486-2011) is available through this link.

Are You Interested in Running for the ART Board?

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:07:39 GMT

At this time, The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York would like to bring to membership's attention our upcoming annual election for open Board positions. Elections will open at the end of May and the winners will be announced at our business meeting in June, however, we invite members to inquire about open positions now.

Board positions are a two-year commitment. Being on the ART Board is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the profession, volunteer within the local community and to network with fellow archivists. If you are interested in running for open positions, or know of anyone who would make a good candidate, please email the Membership and Nominating Committee at membership@nycarchivists.org to begin a conversation, and learn more about the opportunities on the ART Board.

Thank you, and we look forward to your participation!

Best,

Heather F. Ball
Membership and Nominating Committee Coordinator, ART

Announcing an SAA Workshop in New York City: Visual Literacy for Photograph Collections

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:38:30 GMT

Society of American Archivists Workshop: Visual Literacy for Photograph Collections

Details:
Monday, May 21, 2012
9 am- 5pm
The National Archives at New York City
New York, NY

Workshop Description

This workshop provides methods to gain information from photographs and to understand how this information can be applied in a practical manner to help manage, arrange, and describe collections more effectively and for researchers to extract information. If you’ve attended SAA’s “Understanding Photographs” workshop, this is your next step! This workshop adds more concepts that are important for understanding the intellectual and physical nature of photographs. Incorporating these concepts into daily practice can have practical and economical benefit for the archivist and provide better service to the researcher. Learn to understand the photograph as artifact,visual literacy, and their application to photograph collection management and research uses.

Upon completing this workshop, you’ll:

Have examined visual literacy in-depth and learned to apply this information in practice always to arrange and describe photograph collections;
Know about the importance of the concept of object and image in collection management and the difference between physical order and intellectual order;
Comprehend the intellectual and social nature of photographs;
Understand the photographic messages, the complex collective life of photographs, and how the photographic information can be obscured or changed over time; and
Be able to apply this knowledge to managing photo collections to save time and money.
Who should attend? Archivists or others who work with photograph collections and researchers wishing to understand more about finding information contained in photographs. Archivists or others who want to build on the knowledge gained from the introductory SAA “Understanding Photographs” workshop.

Attendance limited to 30.

More information and a link to registration is available at the following link:

http://saa.archivists.org/4DCGI/events/329.html?Action=Conference_Detail&ConfID_W=329

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York is proud to serve as a co-sponsor of this event. ART members receive a discount of $25 off the early bird registration price by entering code VLPC25NY during online registration.

Thanks to the National Archives at New York City for graciously hosting this event. Please direct all questions regarding the workshop to the Society of American Archivists.

Call for Donations! Help Occupy Wall Street Archives

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:04:29 GMT

Call for Donations!
Help Occupy Wall Street Archives

Your fellow archivists need your help!

Since the early days of Occupy Wall Street, members of the OWS Archives Working Group have been engaged in collecting materials significant to documenting the movement. Without financial support, however, the collections languish in a general office space, uncataloged and exposed to the surrounding environment.
As part of its mission, the Archivists Round Table Advocacy Committee is working to support the efforts of the OWS archivists. To that end, the ART Advocacy Committee is holding a donation drive to collect materials desperately needed by the OWS Archives to process the collections. Please consider donating any unneeded materials or materials ready to be discarded by your institutions.

Your donations will help the OWS archivists fulfill their mission to develop a grass roots collection documenting the actions and legacy of the movement, in the overall spirit of openness and transparency advocated by the OWS movement. In addition, support from the professional archival community will lend a legitimacy to the OWS Archives and boost their visibility within the OWS movement.

We are collecting donations of:
•   Acid-free boxes (any size)
•   Acid-free folders (any size)
•   Pencils
•   Archival-quality pens
•   Acid-free tissue paper
•   Archival-quality labels
•   Digital storage media (i.e. flash drives, hard drives)
•   Any office supplies (notepads, paper, pens, etc.)

If you are able to donate, please contact the ART Advocacy Committee at advocacy@nycarchivists.org with a list of materials. We will determine on a case-by-case basis how best to collect materials.

For more information on the OWS archives, see the following websites:

OWS Archives Working Group:
http://www.nycga.net/groups/the-occupy-wallstreet-archives/

OWS Archives Mission Statement:
http://www.nycga.net/groups/the-occupy-wallstreet-archives/docs/occupy-wall-street-mission-statement

NYC General Assembly:
http://www.nycga.net/

Submitted by ART Advocacy Committee

ART Member Rachel L. Conrad Joins the Metropolitan Archivist as Managing Editor

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:35:52 GMT

We are pleased to announce that ART member Rachel L. Conrad has joined the staff of Metropolitan Archivist, as a managing editor. Rachel brings a unique set of skills and experiences to her role: she currently serves as publications editor at the New York Philharmonic, where she was originally employed as an editorial assistant from 2003 to 2006 while she pursued a master's degree in library science at Pratt's School of Library and Information Science, which she obtained in 2006.

She added that degree to an already impressive academic portfolio, which includes a bachelor's degree in flute performance and music history from Temple University and an M.A. in musicology from NYU. After earning her library degree, Rachel spent three years in Washington D.C. as an online publishing specialist at the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

She returned to New York in 2010, when the Philharmonic offered her her current position as publications editor. As a managing editor at the Metropolitan Archivist, Rachel joins a team that already includes Mary Ann Quinn and Madeline Rogers, both of whom are delighted to welcome her.

Rachel's extracurricular passion, apart from her cat Mimi, is hiking and long-distance walking. Between hiking trips abroad (most recently to Tenerife) she stays in shape by walking at least one way to work each day, weather permitting, from her home in Brooklyn (about eight miles).

Submitted by Madeline Rogers

ART Mourns the loss of colleague Steve Siegel

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:00:00 GMT

STEVEN W. SIEGEL died early Saturday morning, 21 January 2012, at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. He would have been 66 on Feb. 23.

Funeral, Monday, Jan. 23rd at 10AM at the Plaza Memorial Chapel,

630 Amsterdam Avenue, (91st Street) in Manhattan (www.plazajewishcommunitychapel.org/).

Please direct condolences in care of Steve’s mother, Mrs. Eleanor Siegel,
9511 Weldon Circle – Apt 302, Tamarac, Florida 33321.

Steve was a dear friend and mentor to countless Jewish genealogists. A founding member of the Jewish Genealogical Society, Inc. (NY) and an original member of the JGS Executive Council, he served as JGS president from 1985 to 1989 and again in 2011. He was the only founding member of the JGS who served on the JGS Executive Board from its inception in 1977 to now. He served on the Center for Jewish History's Genealogy Task Force which helped establish the Center's Genealogy Institute.

Steve was also active in the wider genealogical and archival communities. A professional archivist and librarian, he worked for many years as library director at the 92nd Street YM-YWHA in Manhattan. He was past president of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York and initiated New York's annual Family History Fair, an event that he chaired for 16 years. Steve was the 2004 recipient of the Archival Achievement award in recognition of his management of the Fair for so many years.

A proficient writer and editor, Steve was co-founder and co-editor of "Toledot: The Journal of Jewish Genealogy," from 1977 to 1983, and served as managing editor and acting editor of JGS's newsletter, Dorot. He also compiled Archival Resources, Volume I of Jewish Immigrants of the Nazi Period in the USA (Saur, 1978) and, with Zachary Baker, "A Bibliography of Eastern European Memorial (Yizkor) Books" (1992).

Steve was president of the Jewish Historical Society of New York, a director of the Jewish Book Council, and a member of Association of Professional Genealogists. A proud Cornell alumnus, he served on the Board of Trustees of Cornell University Hillel and on the Cornell University Council. He recently received the Frank H.T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service Award for 2011.

Steve was a native of New Jersey -- he was born in Union City and grew up in Teaneck -- but he lived on Manhattan's upper East Side for many years. Beloved son of Eleanor Simon Siegel and the late Morris Siegel, he is also survived by his brother, Jerry Siegel; sister, Connie Siegel Dennis and nieces Jessica and Katelyn Dennis. Steve's life partner for 29 years, Rob Selden, died in 2008.

May his memory be as a blessing.

Roni Seibel Liebowitz

President, JGS, Inc. (NY)

President@JGSNY.org

To make a gift anyone can use any of the following options – and for each one – please make sure to note that it is in memory of Steven Siegel.

Mail a check (made out to Cornell University with Cornell Hillel.
IMO Steven Siegel in the memo line or attached note) to:
Cornell University
Box 223623
Pittsburgh, PA 15251-2623

To make a gift by phone, call our Annual Fund office at: 1-800-279-3099 and mention that the gift is directed to Cornell Hillel in memory of Steven Siegel.

Or, to make a gift online, click on the link below:

https://www.giving.cornell.edu/give/ and in “Other” Section, “Cornell Hillel” can be noted along with indication of it being in memory of Steven Siegel.

American Institute for Conservation Blog Post on ART's Artists' Records Symposium

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:31:29 GMT

"Conservators Converse," the Emerging Conservation Professionals Network blog of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, has published a nice review of ART's Artists' Records in the Archives symposium. The symposium was held in October as part of the 2011 New York Archives Week.

The blog post was written by Amy Brost, and she describes how the symposium was relevant for conservators working today. She concluded by saying "I gained a new appreciation for the field of archives and preservation, and I am excited by the new directions for collaboration between archivists and conservators."

The post can be accessed at:

http://www.conservators-converse.org/2012/01/artists-records-in-the-archives-a-two-day-symposium/

ART wants to thank Amy and the American Institute for Conservation. We also look forward to future collaborations between archivists and conservators!

New Winter Issue of Metropolitan Archivist Now Available!

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:59:12 GMT

The new winter issue of Metropolitan Archivist is now available on the ART website or can

be downloaded directly.

Direct link: http://bit.ly/uvIagj

In this issue:

*FEATURES*

"FROM FEVER TO FOLDER: Session Presentations from the 'To the Source' Symposium"

featuring contributions from Grace Lile, Jonathan Lill, and Jenna Freedman

"The Cooper Union 100th Anniversary Photographs"

by Julie Castelluzzo & Carol Salomon

"Roundabout Theatre's Stephen Sondheim Theatre: Discovering Its Past"

by Tiffany Nixon

"Edward Steichen Archive Now Available at the Museum of Modern Art"

by Celia Hartmann

"Brooklyn Historical Society Launches Project to Teach Undergrads to Use Archives"

by Robin Katz

"METRO Digitization Grant at the Center for Jewish History"

by Susan Woodland

"History Coming Home"

by John Beekman

*METRO ARCHIVIST INTERVIEW*

with Jason Kucsma, Executive Director,

Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO)

*BOOK REVIEWS*

*CITING COLLECTIONS*

*ART BOARD REPORTS*

*And more, so... take a look inside!

Author @ the library presents: 2011 ART Award Winner Carl Ballenas & Aquinas Honor Society at the NYPL Tuesday 12/27 6:30PM

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:01:51 GMT

The New York Public Library welcomes Carl Ballenas and the Aquinas Honor Society of the Immaculate Conception School. They will present an illustrated lecture of

their book Images of America: Jamaica (Arcadia Publishing).

Via Arcadia Publishing's website

When: Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm

Where: New York Public Library, Mid-Manhattan Branch,

40th Street and 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10016

This program is FREE.

Please note elevators access the 6th floor after 6p.m.

More information is available on the NYPL website.

About the presenters:

Carl Ballenas, a local historian, author and award-winning teacher with The Aquinas Honor Society of the Immaculate Conception School, a group of academically gifted students under his direction, previously partnered on the book Images of America: Jamaica Estates. Mr. Ballenas is also the coauthor of Images of America: Richmond Hill and Images of America: Maple Grove Cemetery.

The 2011 Archivists Round Table honorees (from left to right): Brian G. Andersson, retired commissioner, NYC Department of Records; Councilwoman Gale Brewer; New York Philharmonic Archivist-Historian Barbara Haws; Bob George, director, ARChive of Contemporary Music; Amne Madi, past president, Aquinas Honor Society; and Carl Ballenas, moderator, Aquinas Honor Society. Photograph by Michael Lorenzini, 10/13/11. Via ART's Flickr page.

Mr. Ballenas and his students received the Educational Use of Archives Award from ART at the 2011 Awards Ceremony held at Columbia University's Faculty House. The Awards Ceremony was the premier event of this year's 23rd Annual New York Archives Week. Archives Week events include lectures, tours of repositories, and workshops, all free and open to the public. These special events are designed to celebrate the importance of historical records, and to familiarize interested organizations and the public with a wealth of fascinating archival materials illuminating centuries of New York City history and culture.

Video of the awards event has been by provided by Amne Madi, Former President of the Aquinas Honor Society: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4PALgLJANQ.

See the 2011 ART Awards Ceremony Program:

http://www.nycarchivists.org/Resources/Documents/2011_ART_Awards_Ceremony_Journal.pdf

Carl Ballenas examines documents from his collections with Betsy Rosalen at the K-12 Archival Education Institute at the National Archives on Saturday, December 4, 2010. Photograph by Johanna O'Toole. Via ART's Flickr page.

Mr. Ballenas also participated in ART's inaugural K-12 Archives Education Institute (AEI). The AEI paired professional archivists with Metropolitan New York educators to demonstrate how archival documents can be incorporated in class curriculum to achieve state mandated learning standards. The focus of the 2010 AEI was on the theme of civil and human rights curricula. ART, in partnership with the National Archives at New York City and United Federation of Teachers/United Teachers of Social Studies, sponsor the AEI each year. More details, including registration information, about the 2012 AEI will become available this Spring on the ART website.

More about the K-12 Archives Education Institute:

ART's Flickr album for the 2010 AEI

ART's Flickr album for the 2011 AEI

"NARA K-12 Education Institute," Archives and Public History Digital Post:

http://aphdigital.org/2010/11/01/nara-k-12-education-institute/

*On January 19th, 2012, ART will present Young Historians, Local Educators, and Availing Archivists: Teaching with Primary Source Materials and Common Core Standards. This special program features the AEI, with a presentation by Marisa Gitto, AEI Curriculum Coordinator. This event is hosted by the National Archives at New York City. Admission is free but pre-registration is required on the ART website.* ART thanks MetLife for its generous support of the Archives Education Institute.

Volunteer Opportunity: New York History Blog Editor, apply by Dec. 20th

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:47:18 GMT

New York History Blog Editor

Description: ART seeks a dedicated and motivated volunteer to serve as ART’s Editor for the New York History blog- http://www.newyorkhistoryblog.com/. Nearly 2,000 people get New York History each day via E-Mail, RSS, or Twitter or Facebook updates. In this position, the Editor will be responsible for soliciting and editing 1 blog entry per month on ART’s behalf. Content for the New York History blog will be submitted to the Editor from the ART Board and ART members.
Goals: Highlighting the work of archives and archivists in the New York metropolitan area; increasing exposure to the opportunities and challenges faced by archives and archivists; providing examples of how archivists add value to historical collections and provide service to their communities and the public
Qualifications: Current ART member; previous experience with editing (3+ years); demonstrated experience with social media and public relations campaigns; proven ability to manage projects
Terms: This position is for a one-year term that begins in January 2012. The position is eligible for renewal on an annual basis. The position will require 3-5 hours per month and includes soliciting submissions, editing of submissions, reviewing image permissions forms, and uploading the final copy and images to the New York History blog interface. Blog entry submissions are to be 250-500 words with 1-2 photos.
To Apply: Please send your resume/CV to Ryan Anthony Donaldson, ART Communications and Outreach Coordinator- outreach@nycarchivists.org. The deadline to apply is December 20, 2011.

Artists' Records Symposium Volunteer Needed

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:43:14 GMT

The Archivists Round Table will be publishing proceedings from its recent symposium, Artists’ Records in the Archives, held on October 11th and 12th in New York City. We are looking for ART members who would like to help facilitate this project. Project responsibilities will include communication with symposium speakers, editing and formatting of submissions, and help with publicity. This work will be completed between January and June 2012.

Contact: Rachel Chatalbash, President, president@nycarchivists.org

Metropolitan Archivist Seeking News Submissions for Next Issue- Deadline 11/15

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 02:52:20 GMT

The deadline for submitting to the ART News section of the next issue of Metropolitan Archivist is November 15th.

The newsletter welcomes submissions regarding recently opened collections, acquired grants, surveys of collections for special projects, professional achievements, and other news of interest to the metropolitan archival community.

Submissions should be no longer than 200-250 words. If you have a compelling image to accompany your submission, please feel free to include it. (Images should be 300 dpi JPEGs and should include a caption.)

To view the latest and previous ART News items, see issues of Metropolitan Archivist at http://www.nycarchivists.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1035153.

Please send your submissions to wla2103@columbia.edu.

Thank you,
Will Andersen
ART News Editor, Metropolitan Archivist
Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc.

New Volunteer Opportunities!

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:32:44 GMT

Please check out our updated list of volunteer opportunities here.

New York Archives Week

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:04:04 GMT

New York Archives Week is almost here!!

This fall, ART will be celebrating its 23rd annual New York Archives Week, October 9th - 15th, 2011. Please visit our Archives Week web page for a complete listing of all ART-coordinated Archives Week events. We are thrilled to announce that approximately twenty-five Archives Week events will be held in New York City this year. On behalf of the ART Board and all participating institutions, we hope you can attend!

*The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York recognizes the generous sponsorship of Archives Week by MetLife and the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

ART Awards Ceremony: Call for Journal Advertisements

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 21:57:56 GMT

This October 9-15, 2011, the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (ART) will celebrate the 23rd Annual New York Archives Week. Archives Week events include lectures, tours of repositories, and workshops, all free and open to the public. These events are designed to raise the public's awareness of the importance of preserving and making accessible our documentary heritage. New York Archives Week is attended by hundreds of New York City residents each year, and is ART's primary outreach initiative.

New York Archives Week’s premier event is the ART Awards Ceremony, the only awards program in the metropolitan New York area dedicated to honoring the work of archivists and those who support archival programs. This official celebration is vital to our professional community as these awards help strengthen relationships between New York City archivists and their supporters, and provide an opportunity for archivists to be honored by their colleagues. In this spirit, ART is pleased to announce its 2011 honorees:

Councilwoman Gale A. Brewer for Outstanding Support of Archives
Muslim World Music Day for Innovative Use of Archives
Barbara Haws for Archival Achievement
Aquinas Honor Society of the Immaculate Conception School for Educational Use of Archives

The ceremony will be held at Columbia University’s Faculty House on Thursday, October 13th. We are expecting more than 100 guests and are poised for a great evening! We will be issuing Commemorative Journals containing wishes to our honorees and advertisements. Including a message in the commemorative journal is a great way to publish a statement to an honoree or to promote your business. Attached is an easy form, which you can fill out and email or mail to the Awards Committee. But please, act quickly as we need all journal ads by Wednesday, September 14, 2011.

Journal Advertisement Form

Thank you in advance for your support!

Best Regards,
Bonnie Marie Sauer

Awards Committee Chair

Resources for Hurricane Recovery

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:26:02 GMT

There are several resources in New York to assist your organization's
recovery from Hurricane Irene. The State Office of Emergency
Management provides assistance, including access to products and
recovery services. Go to: http://www.dhses.ny.gov/

The State Library and State Archives have resources to assist you.
Contacts, services, and resources are listed below by your
organization type. The State Library and State Archives are also
responsible for gathering information about the extent of damage to
your building and/or collections as well as recovery costs. Contact
Barbara Lilley (blilley@mail.nysed.gov) or Maria Holden
(mholden@mail.nysed.gov) to report the impact of the storm on your
organization.

Libraries:

State Library staff are available to provide advice on recovering
collections. Contact the State Library at (518) 486-4864. For
additional resources, go to
http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/cp/index.html

State Agencies:

Archives staff are available to provide advice on recovering damaged
records. When agency records are believed to constitute a hazard to
human safety or health or to property, the agency records management
officer may request authorization from the State Archives to destroy
or dispose of such records immediately. Contact the Archives at (518)
474-6926 or (518) 473-4254. For a complete listing of State Archives
disaster services and resources, go to:
http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/records/mr_disaster.shtml

Local Governments:

The State Archives Regional Advisory Officers are available by
phone/email to provide advice on recovering archives and records and
to assist you in applying for a recovery grant. Local governments may
be eligible for up to $20,000 in disaster recovery funding for damaged
records. Contact your Regional Advisory Officer
http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/directories/dir_staff.shtml#Advisory
or call the Archives at (518) 474-6926 or (518) 473-4254. For a
complete listing of State Archives disaster services and resources, go
to: http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/records/mr_disaster.shtml

Other Cultural Institutions (museums, historical societies, non-government archives):

State Archives and State Library staff are available to provide advice
on recovering collections. Contact the State Library at (518)
486-4864 or the State Archives at (518) 474-6926 or (518) 473-4254.

Archives Week 2011 - Call for Events

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:24:39 GMT

This fall, the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York (ART) will be celebrating its 23rd Annual New York Archives Week, October 9th - 15th, 2011. Archives Week events are designed to raise the public’s awareness of the importance of preserving and making accessible our documentary heritage. Activities include a wide range of programming, including lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and tours of repositories, all free and open to the public.

Suggested Archives Week activities:

Hold an open house, highlighting unique materials held by your repository.
Mount an exhibit using materials from your repository.
Demonstrate or report on activities/projects supported by grants.
Ask a researcher to speak on the value of your collections to his/her research.
Present a film festival using films or videos held by your repository.
Sponsor lunchtime talks by archivists, historians, and other researchers.
Organize a walking tour of your repository's neighborhood.

In addition, as part of an effort to draw public attention to Archives Week and highlight the importance of our repositories and collections, ART will sponsor three events: on Tuesday, October 11th we will hold a one day symposium on artists’ records, on the evening of Thursday, October 13th we will honor our colleagues at our Annual Awards Ceremony, and on Saturday, October 15th, the second K-12 Archives Education Institute will take place.

For all other Archives Week events, please complete this form to be submitted for inclusion in the Archivists Round Table Archives Week event calendar. The deadline for submission of the form is Thursday, September 1st. The form should be emailed to president@nycarchivists.org.

The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York recognizes the generous sponsorship of Archives Week by MetLife and the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation.

Artists’ Records in the Archives: A One Day Symposium – Call for Participation

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:59:11 GMT

The archives of many institutions contain artists’ records -- documents created by artists that often bear witness to the creative process, as evinced by sketches, doodles, and other notations. Artists’ records differ from other types of records due to their inherent connection to the art object and the art market. In recent years there has been a plethora of symposia and conferences dedicated to artist archives, art history and “the archive,” as well as to the use of archival materials by contemporary artists. While crucial, these investigations have been driven almost entirely by art historians and have not included the perspectives of archivists and special collections librarians. As part of an effort to broaden the discussion surrounding artists’ records, the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York has organized a two day symposium, “Artists’ Records in the Archives,” to be held on October 11th and 12th 2011. Focusing on the perspective of the information professional, this symposium will address how contemporary artists use artists’ records in their work, the significance of artists’ records in archives for scholars and curators, and how archivists and special collections librarians manage artists’ records in their repositories.

Possible topics or areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

Artists’ use of other artists’ records

How archivists manage artists’ records and how this might differ within a museum, estate, gallery, and university setting

Collecting artists’ records

Appraisal of artists’ records

Underdocumented artists and the archives

Exhibitions and artists’ records

Artists’ records and the digital environment

Born digital artists’ records

Conversations between archivists, artists, and art historians regarding archives

Date: October 11 - 12, 2011

All individual presentations will be 20 minutes long (10 page paper).

Submissions must include a title, name of author and institutional affiliation, abstract (250 words max), and indication of technological requirements.

Individual papers or entire panel proposals accepted.

A small travel stipend is available. If interested please indicate in the submission.

Deadline for Proposals: Proposals should be emailed to artistsymposium@gmail.com by August 15, 2011.

Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York Latest News

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It's Here!

Read the full report, dig in, and let's discuss!

MTV News Goes Dark

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ART submits comments regarding United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Fee Increases, Docket No. USCIS-2019-0010

ART joins effort to get Thomson Reuters (owners of Westlaw) and RELX (owners of Lexis-Nexis) to cancel their contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement

ART submits letter to Yale University regarding its decision to cease providing funding for the Native Northeast Research Collaborative

ART submits comments on the revised, proposed records retention schedule of the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Detainee Records

DHS and CBP respond to coalition letter

ART joins coalition of over 100 organizations urging DHS cease targeting of activists, journalists, and lawyers

ART Statement on DOI Request for Records Disposition Authority

ART Statement on the New York City Charter Revision

NARA will require ICE to make changes to retention schedules

ART signs letter opposing BJS collection of citizenship data

AOTUS responds to ICE records retention schedule scrutiny

Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) response to coalition letter

ART signs coalition letters to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Department of State

ICE abandons its ‘extreme vetting’ software

(Video) Investing in Archivists: Advocating as a Lone Arranger

ART Joins Over 300 Civil Rights, Faith, Advocacy, and Labor Leaders to Demand Oversight On Census Citizenship Question

ART and CAA Joint Letter to Congress Opposing DHS Visa Lifecycle Vetting

ART Signs on to Letter Regarding Recent DHS System of Records Notice

ART Statement on ICE Retention Schedules

NEA-ART Spring 2018 Joint Meeting Scholarship Announcement

International Archives Day 2017

H.R.1695 - Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017

ART Statement on the Current Political Statement

Statement on the Proposed Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2018

Latest News Concerning the FY 2017 Budget

Call to Action!

POLICE-WORN BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE: A PUBLIC RECORD?

SAA Statement on Executive Order Restricting Entry into the United States by Individuals from Seven Muslim-Majority Countries

Help to Nip Efforts to Defund NEH in the Bud

"Investing in Archivists" Panel Discussion

2017 J. Franklin Archival Advocacy Award

Documentary Heritage Program Grant Application deadline is Tuesday, January 17, 2017

New York Archives Conference - 2017

Awards Ceremony Journal

Apply now for DHPSNY's free planning and assessment services!

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Electronic Records Day 2016

NGO Muckrock launched a right to know project

LOC Sound Recording and Film Preservation Programs Reauthorization Act of 2016

Carla Hayden Swearing-In LOC Live Broadcast on YouTube

Action Alert: NJ Residents - Oppose Bill S1784

Action Alert: Confirm Dr. Carla Hayden as Librarian of Congress

FOIA reform bill heads to President's desk

From OpenTheGovernment: http://www.openthegovernment.org/node/5240

FOIA reform bill heads to President's desk

50 Days of FOIA Campaign

Open Government at the National Archives: Webinar Session 3/29/16

Announcing a New SAA Blog: ArchivesAWARE!

Announcing a New Blog: ArchivesAWARE!

NYPL Funding - Take Action

Documentary Heritage Program Grants

Documentary Heritage Program Grants

2016-2017 DHP Grant Application Guidelines and Forms

Prequalification requirement for all grant applicants

Protest the TPP: 11/14-11/18, Washington, DC

SAA Opposes Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Provisions

SAA Opposes Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Provisions

AEI 2015 - Deadline has been extended to October 8, 2015

SAA on Copyright Office’s Mass Digitization Pilot Program

SAA Comments on Copyright Office’s Mass Digitization Pilot Program

Stop the TPP's Copyright Trap

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Celebrate Electronic Records Day October 10, 2014

#AskAnArchivist Day - October 1

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Archives Change Lives!

SAA’s Criteria for Advocacy Statements

A Transparency Milestone

Twitter's decision to ban archiving of politicians' deleted tweets is a mistake

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Metropolitan Archivist Summer 2015 Issue Now Available!

From OpenTheGovernment:

http://www.openthegovernment.org/node/5240

Open government
is good government