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Back in February, we announced the beginning of the Small Archives Forums, a series of free programs designed to explore archival concepts and build connections among Philadelphia area small archives. The forum series aims to teach new archival skills while also fostering community among small archives and laying the groundwork for ongoing knowledge-sharing and cooperation. Starting with our first event in February 2015, programs have covered topics such as digitization, preservation, and processing. We’re happy to announce that programming through early 2016 will continue to cover these topics, as well as unique workshops including an Ask-A-Professional Panel and an Archives Month event in conjunction with the William Way LGBT Community Center and the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts.
Similarly themed programs will be offered in each of the Philadelphia, Chester/Delaware, and Bucks/Montgomery county areas. However, be sure to read the descriptions, as the focus of each theme may change from location to location!
The updated Upcoming Programs Calendar through early 2016 can be found below!
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July 27, 2015 |
How Policies Can Help: Crafting Collection Management and Development Policies. Having strong collections management and development policies can help small archival repositories as they accept new material and expand their collections. Dyani Feige of the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts will present on the importance of these policies and what should be included in them. In addition, Grundy Memorial Library staff will present on how policies have helped them shape their collections. *This is the ONLY time this program will be offered. |
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September 22, 2015 |
Pixels and Bits: An Introduction to Digitizing Archival Collections. In addition to an overview of key topics and best practices for starting a digitization program, this event will showcase innovative digitization projects in place at HCI-PSAR-participating small repositories. *This is the LAST time this program will be offered. |
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October 5, 2015 |
Archives Month Event: DIY Archives. A special event for American Archives Month, HCI-PSAR is joining with the William Way LGBT Community Center and the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts to encourage members of the community to save their personal archival collections. This workshop will provide attendees with suggestions and advice on how to best organize and preserve their personal collections for the future. *This is the ONLY time this program will be offered. |
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November 2015 |
Processing 101: An Introduction to Basic Archival Arrangement and Description. This workshop will offer hands-on education in the arrangement, description, and re-housing of archival collections. |
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December 9, 2015 |
No Need to Rewind: An Introduction to Digitizing Audio Collections. Join us for a special audio-themed digitization presentation. Alex Ball of Ameryn Media will present on how to undertake an audio digitization program in-house, and how to know when it's time to call a professional. In addition, the program will highlight audio digitization projects undertaken by HCI-PSAR participating small repositories. *This is the ONLY time this program will be offered. |
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January 11, 2016 |
Ask-A-Professional: Whether it’s a general query about housing or an issue specific to your repository, we want to provide you with the answers you're looking for. Bring your archival questions and quandaries to this program, and hear responses from a panel of professionals, as well as suggestions and ideas from other small repository attendees. *This is the ONLY time this program will be offered. |
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February 2016 |
Processing 101: An Introduction to Basic Archival Arrangement and Description. This workshop will offer hands-on education in the arrangement, description, and re-housing of archival collections. *This is the LAST time this program will be offered. |
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March 3, 2016 |
Preservation Program:This program will provide a basic overview of preservation practices, focusing on environment and collections care. Best practices will be introduced in a "Good, Better, Best" approach, presenting participants with practical ways to implement improvements with the resources they have on hand. *This is the LAST time this program will be offered. |
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Spring 2016 |
End of the Project Symposium. Alas, all good things must come to an end, and the HCI-PSAR project as currently configured will be ending in April 2016. Join us as we celebrate the project’s accomplishments and discuss findings from almost five years of surveying at Philadelphia-area small archival repositories. HCI-PSAR staff will highlight significant collections uncovered during the project and public historians will speak about the role of public history in the community. *This is the ONLY time this program will be offered. |
Please note that program dates and locations are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information and a list of previous programs, visit hsp.org/hcipsar/forums.
When space is limited, preference will be given to representatives of HCI-PSAR-participating repositories and only individuals on our mailing list of HCI-PSAR participants will receive e-invitations. If you are associated with an HCI-PSAR-participating repository and are not already receiving these invitations, contact Andrée Mey Miller.
If you are unable to attend any of the programs but are interested in learning more about managing archival collections, visit the Resources for Small Archives section of our website. Everyone, whether or not you have participated in HCI-PSAR, is welcome to join the Pennsylvania Small Archives email list, an online community which can be utilized to publicize workshops and events of interest, to ask about best practices (or "good enough" practices), and to stay in touch with colleagues in similar institutions. To join, send a blank email to pa-small-archives-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Please follow HCI-PSAR on Facebook and Twitter for updates on the project!