Special Collections Roundtable
News and Notes
July-August 2018
A newsletter for members of the RI library community who have responsibility for the care and access of unique or rare manuscripts, records, books, audio and/or visual materials, local history and other special collections.
Fall 2018 Special Collections Roundtable Meetings
Save the Dates for Fall Meetings
- September 25, 9:30 to Noon at RI Historical Society's Aldrich House, Providence. On the agenda so far . . . Rick Ring, RIHS, on the History Day Project; networking time
- October 18, 2:00 - 4:00 at the Redwood Library and Athenaeum, Newport. On the agenda so far . . . Kate Wells, PPL, on working with volunteers and news about the AS220 Archives
- December 13, TBA
Are you attending the Society of American Archivists/Council of State Archivists/NAGARA Conference in August? If so, please consider giving a 2-5 minute report on something from the conference at one of the fall SCRT meetings. If you're willing, email Donna DiMichele
Grant Opportunity (previously published in the June newsletter)
Publishing Historical Records in Documentary Editions
The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks proposals to publish documentary editions of historical records. Projects may focus on the papers of major figures from American history or cover broad historical movements in politics, social reform, business, military, the arts, and other aspects of the national experience. The historical value of the records and their expected usefulness to broad audiences must justify the costs of the project.
New projects and projects currently receiving funds from the NHPRC may apply.
Deadline: October 4, 2018
Help Identify Teaching Resources for African American History
1696 Historical Task Force Seeking Resources for African American History
The RI Historical Society’s, 1696 Historical Task Force is seeking resources relating to African American history that can help support and enhance the history being taught in K-12 classrooms throughout Rhode Island. The goal is to publish a page on the Rhode Island Department of Education’s (RIDE) website so that a variety of resources can be listed in one place for teachers to access. Resources can include (but are not limited to) textual resources, primary source documents, photographs, videos, oral histories, lesson plans, web sources, and community resources, i.e., places to visit, do further research, etc. All sources need to be annotated with 1-2 sentences about what the source is (online exhibit, a collection of primary source documents, biography) and the topic it covers.
If you have resources you would like to share for this project, send the information to Samantha Hunter by September 28. All sources will be included in a document submitted by RIHS to RIDE’s leadership team for approval. Once approved resources will be listed as together on the RIDE website in early 2019. If you have any questions, reach out to Samantha Hunter (401) 331-8575 x336.
Events, Workshops & Training from Around the Region
Creative Ways to Engage Communities with the Harry Potter Alliance and the Project for Public Space
The desire to engage our communities in new and exciting ways has emerged as a common thread that unites librarians of all types, serving all ages. Join OLIS for this exciting event to hear from two organizations that take innovative and outside-the-box approaches to building community and catalyzing grassroots change.
First up, Alessandra Galletti from the Project for Public Spaces, an organization which serves as a hub for creative placemaking, dedicated to helping people create and sustain public spaces that build community. We will learn the principals of creative placemaking that can help transform public spaces into vital places that highlight local assets, spur rejuvenation, and serve common needs, and discover resources for applying placemaking concepts to your library. Next, we will hear from Matt Maggiacomo, Executive Director of the Harry Potter Alliance, an organization that promotes activism through the power of story and works with young people, non-profits, and libraries to change the world. Learn about Harry Potter Alliance's campaigns, like Accio Books, Neville Fights Back and Wizard Rock the Vote 2018, along with a discussion about the potentials for story-based activism to inspire communities.
Registration required for an accurate count. Lunch will be served.
This event will take place in Room 2A/B in the Fisher Student Center at Bryant University.
Wednesday, Aug 1, 2018, 09:00 AM
Bryant University, Fisher Student Center
"Deconstructing Whiteness": a New England Archivist Workshop
This workshop is designed for archives professionals who want to critically and constructively examine how dynamics of whiteness affect their work. Participants will reflect upon critical conversations in the archival profession, including #ArchivesSoWhite, Mario H. Ramirez’s 2015 article “Being Assumed Not to Be: A Critique of Whiteness as an Archival Imperative,” and outcomes of the 2017 Liberatory Archives Forum in Portland, Oregon. Following an introduction to key concepts and definitions, trained facilitators will lead attendees in a series of participatory dialogues and exercises designed to unify theory and practice.
Advance registration July 13-August 2 Registration and details You must register in advance. There is a fee to attend.
Monday, Aug 6, 2018, 01:00 PM
Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence
"The Library is Your Space": the NELA/RILA Joint Conference
Sunday, Oct 21, 2018, 12:00 PM
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick
Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC) Training
August Webinars:
- Concepts of AV Preservation - August 7
- Caring for Textiles - August 8
- Caring for Scrapbooks - August 21
- Assessing Digital Preservation Readiness - August 28
PRESERVATION 101: Preservation Basics for Paper and Media Collections
A 10-session, Instructor-led Course, August 9 - October 11
For information on all these programs, visit the NEDCC website
Professional Growth/Resume Building Opportunities
Proposals for New England Archivists Fall Meeting
New England Archivists invites submissions of session proposals for the Fall 2018 Meeting: "Our Common Code: Ethics in the Archives." The meeting will take place at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum in Boston, Massachusetts, on Friday, October 26, 2018. The deadline for proposals has been extended to July 31, 2018. For a complete description and submission form, visit the Fall 2018 NEA Meeting page.
Apply to be an Editor for the Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies
The Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies, sponsored by New England Archivists and Yale University Library, seeks applications for three Associate Editor positions (terms starting March 2019).
The Associate Editor works in collaboration with the Managing Editor and other members of the Editorial Board to solicit, select, and develop content for the journal. Primary duties include the selection of peer reviewers for assigned submissions and supervising the peer review process in consultation with the Managing Editor, evaluating peer review reports, and making recommendations to the Managing Editor on the suitability of submissions for publication.
Additional duties include participation in programming at events, soliciting submissions, assisting in the development of content, and actively participating in the management of the journal. Terms of service are three years with the opportunity for a second term for a total of six years of service.
JCAS https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/jcas/ is a peer-reviewed, open access journal that furthers awareness of issues and developments in the work of professional archivists, curators, librarians, and historians. It serves as a locus for graduate students and professionals in library science, archival science, and public history to contribute original works of research and inquiry for peer review and publication.
Applicants must submit a resume/CV and a brief statement of interest to email.jcas@gmail.com by Tuesday, September 4.
A Podcast for Archivists
Archivist's Alley: Cool Conversations About Productive Preservation
Archivist’s Alley, a podcast, is a safe conversational space designed for casual and lively discussions about how to preserve our work and identities in the professional landscapes and media that we work and create in. It is an open and dynamic arena to talk about archival ideas, new projects and to celebrate the power of each guest’s voice as a critical part of this community and our world at large.
News From Far Afield
Literary Paraphernalia, Baseball, Chained Up for Good
Connect with the RI Special Collections Community
- Join the RISpecialCollections@googlegroups.com discussion forum! It's a convenient way to communicate with others who work with special collections and archives in Rhode Island libraries, historical societies, museums, and cultural heritage organizations. Use the link above to subscribe. It's your list, so use it to share what matters to you in the field of special collections and archives!
- To subscribe to Special Collections Roundtable News and Notes newsletter, send an email to Donna Longo DiMichele
RI Office of Library and Information Services
The Office of Library and Information Services strengthens, connects and empowers libraries to advance knowledge, connect communities and enrich the lives of all Rhode Islanders.
Website: www.olis.ri.gov
Location: One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908
Phone: 401-574-9300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olisri/
Twitter: @olisri