The Mid-Atlantic Archivist.

24 Pages·1992·30.1 MB·English

by  Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference.

MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL ARCHIVES CONFERENCE
M I D
ATLANTIC
ARCHIVIST
ISSN 0738-9396
VOLUME 21, NUMBER 1 Winter 1992
MARAC Meeting in Pittsburgh
When MARAC last met in Pitts The MARAC program, being held to stock the student's mind with
burgh in 1981, archival education May 7-9, 1992 at the Oakland Holi knowledge of what has already
was primarily concentrated in con day Inn in the midst of the Univer been accomplished in a given
tinuing education courses, insti sity of Pittsburgh and Carnegie field,but rather so to train him that
tutes, and workshops with graduate Mellon University, is focused on he himself may be able to push out
programs that generally consisted the theme of the present status along new lines of investigation."
of no more than two courses and a and future opportunities for archival As the Harper quotation is intended
practicum or fieldwork requirement. education. The future of archival to show, the theme of the confer
Archival education, both graduate education is an extremely important ence is that archival education
and continuing, has progressed matter as we approach the twenty needs to revamp itself to prepare
significantly over the past decade. first century and continue to work individuals in a new manner to not
Presently, there is a growing num in increasingly more complex infor only function as archivists but to
ber of graduate programs led by mation environments. "Pushing think like archivists and to commit
full-time archival educators and dis Out Along New Lines: Educating to expanding the frontiers of archi
cussion is underway for the devel Archivists for the 21st Century" is val knowledge.
opment of full-fledged Masters of taken from a century-old quotation
The Spring 1992 program is built
Archival Studies programs and by William Rainey Harper, Presi around five main sessions that cov
advanced continuing education dent of the University of Chicago:
er the range of archival education,
opportunities. "[The purpose of education is] not
(Continued on P. 3)
··------.
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From The Chair
On An Endowment For Education And Outreach
MARAC approaches its twentieth not clearly specified in the minutes, that this avenue be investigated by
anniversary able, as never before, it seems plain they were intended our Finance Committee during
to take a bold step toward achiev for a purpose higher than merely 1992.
ing one of its fundamental goals: meeting operating expenses.
developing and sustaining a broad Meanwhile, besides encouraging in
tphraotg rcaamn oofp eerdautcea tbioonth ainnd- aonudtr eoaucth aT hceo mStmeeitrminegn tC toom dmeiftitneee ahnads mpuabdlie dSitveideurianlg giCftso mtom tithtee ee nwdioll whmaevnet , tthhee
side the framework of our tradition cize the purpose of the endowment chance each year we end with a
al semiannual meetings. That step account in 1992, and to build its surplus to continue the practice of
is building an endowment for edu principal by encouraging donations. transferring left-over revenue to the
cation and outreach for MARAC Accordingly, at Roanoke, the Steer account. Depending on the fiscal
supported training programs, con ing Committee directed that all un outlook next spring, it may even be
designated contributions to MARAC possible to build an endowment
sulting services, development and
dissemination of technical literature be placed in the endowment. Mem contribution line into the Confer
- even scholarships. bers who wish to donate to MARAC ence's 1992-93 operating budget.
beyond their annual dues should
The idea to do this is not new. know that their generosity will in We have the opportunity to provide
a powerful financial incentive for
Meeting the educational and devel crease this fund, and ultimately be
MARAC and its constituent caucus
opmental needs of our members used to enhance the Conference's
es to develop and implement cre
and potential members was part of training and outreach programs.
ative, well-structured training pro
fiiMnto uAr1enR 9md9Aian2Cig ni';sss stctohoo adirttae wyw .mea sins Wsoinihw oa1n th9 a8iisnv2 e,d 1 iat9fhfn7eed2r e rsenao tt smcIto idenisent rrtie ibmfduup ntiodotra ntxaas-nr edtt eotnd oou Mtcb AteliikabRerlAe lyiC,n t' oshm obienwend ed cvotohewnar , t rpagalrr,nia ngsmte tas it spea l anafndon ud-wn odlwor chkasionlhs oeleMp vnseA elaRsat.rA ltyhC Tec'hs oer me lbgoplinluoegent
sources to expand and extend
due to the nature of our present ed draft strongly emphasizes educa
lMocAaRl AleCv'esl s reina cah taton gitbhlee wstaayte. aWned corporate status as a professional tion and outreach. The wherewithal
organization. One way to remove to accomplish these tasks is within
aanred sint rofinnga necenso utgoh mina kem eitm hbaeprpsehnip. this disincentive for making charita our reach. We ought not to let the
ble donations would be to incorpo opportunity pass by.
For twenty years my predecessors,
rate an educational foundation to
past Steering Committees, and a manage the endowment - an entity - Karl J. Niederer
full generation of members labored
legally separate from MARAC, but
hard to make MARAC a viable,
linked in terms of mission and ad
self-sustaining organization, and
ministrative oversight. I will ask
they succeeded, I think, in a way
that went beyond the founders'
dreams. MARAC's challenge - Table of Contents
yours and mine - is to build on that
success.
Spring Meeting, Pittsburgh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
In times past the Conference es From the Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
tablished an endowment account, MARAC's 20th Anniversary: Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
into which were placed some mem State & Local News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
bers' generous contributions over News Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
and above their annual dues. The People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
endowment has been increased by Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
the Steering Committee recently by Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
transferring some of MARAC's rev Letters from MARAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
enue surplus; its current balance is Session Abstracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
about $6,000. Although the do MARAC Business Meeting Minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
nors' wishes and past Steering Steering Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Committees' policy regarding the Reference Shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
eventual use of such funds were Treasurer's Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2
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PITTSBURGH (Continued from P. 1J WINNERS OF THE 1991 ARLINE
CUSTER MEMORIAL AWARD
from the basis of archival knowledge through current trends and activities At the MARAC business meeting in
in graduate and continuing education. The program will start off on Friday Roanoke on November 9th Rod
May 8 with a plenary address by Professor Luciani Duranti of the University Ross, Chair of the Arline Custer
of British Columbia School of Library, Archival and Information Studies on Memorial Award Committee, an
"The Archival Body of Knowledge: Archival Theory, Principles, and Prac nounced the winners for publica
tices and Graduate and Continuing Education." Timothy Ericson, Director tions which appeared between July
of the Milwaukee Urban Archives, will present a paper on the "Present Sta 1, 1990, and June 30, 1991.
tus and Profile of Graduate Archival Education in North America." Paul
In the monograph and article cate
Conway, National Archives and Records Administration Office of Research
gory the award went to Arva
and Evaluation, will present a complimentary paper on "Continuing Educa
Michelson of the Archival Research
tion and Its Effectiveness in Training the Archivist." Frederick Stielow,
and Evaluation Staff of the National
Catholic University School of Library and Information Science, will provide
Archives and Records Administra
an analysis of "Information Technology and Its Implications for Archival
tion for "Expert Systems Technol
Theory, Practice, and Education." The Saturday morning of the confer
ogy and its Implication for Archives:
ence, after the MARAC business breakfast, will conclude with a roundtable
National Archives Technical Infor
discussion, chaired by Dean Toni Carbo Bearman of the University of Pitts
mation Paper No. 9."
burgh School of Library and Information Science, on "The Future Direc
The Custer Committee found the
tions and Needs for Graduate and Continuing Archival Education."
work to be innovative, well written
The remainder of the MARAC program is focused on specific applications
and well organized. It addresses a
and issues relating to the nature and context of archival education, with
challenging situation and presents
presentations by a wide-range of archivists, archival educators, and other
its findings in understandable
information professionals. There will be sessions on professional associ
terms.
ations and the training of archivists, the research use and other special
needs of music collections, in-house training at the National Archives, new In the handbooks, reports, manuals
trends and development in archival reference and use, educating the user and guidebooks category the
Custer Committee chose two win
through bibliographic instruction for special materials, and education and
the small archives. There will also be opportunities to take two Society of ners to share the honor and the
American Archivists workshops, "Public Relations for Archivists" taught by cash award. The first of the co
Julie Bressor, and "Advanced Management for Archivists: Personnel" winners was the New York State
taught by Bill Nolte, both offered on Thursday May 7th. Archives and Records Administra
tion for its booklet "Archives &
The Spring 1992 MARAC program (assembled by Program Committee
You: The Benefits of Historical
Roland M. Baumann, Richard J. Cox, Philip B. Eppard, Claire McCurdy,
Records."
Abra S. Michelson, and Cynthia Requardt) promises to be an exciting and
This publication is living testimony
pathbreaking exploration on the education of archivists for the late twentieth
that successful works need not be
century. The main papers by Luciana Duranti, Tim Ericson, Paul Conway,
lengthy. Using quality design and
and Fred Stielow will be published, along with introductory and summary
straight-forward writing the booklet
essays by Toni Carbo Bearman and Richard J. Cox, in a special issue of
the Journal of Education for Library and Information Science edited by Pro explains to a general audience why
historical records are important.
gram Chair Cox, providing a permanent record of the conference. Howev
er, we all look forward to seeing you in Pittsburgh next Spring, to hear the The second co-winner was
papers in their original form and to have an opportunity to discuss the im Kenneth W. Rose of the Rocke
portant issues confronting the education of the future leaders of the archi feller Archive Center for his compi
val profession. lation "The Availability of Founda
tion Records: A Guide for
Researchers."
Richard J. Cox
This document educates both inde
Program Committee Chair
pendent researchers and founda
University of Pittsburgh School of Library and Information Science
tions about the importance of foun
dation records. The study is a first
step in making scholars aware of
the wide range of topics and types
of materials in the field of the study
of philanthropy.
til
3
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CALL FOR FINDING AIDS DATELINE MOSCOW, AUGUST 1991
The Finding Aids Award Committee Susan Swartzburg and the IFLA Congress
encourages MARAC members and I arrived in Moscow on Sunday, August 18th, for a week, to attend the Inter
repositories to enter recently pre national Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Congress.
pared finding aids for the 1991 I settled in with Michele Valery Cloonan, UCLA library school, at the beauti
awards to be presented at the fully restored Metropole Hotel by Red Square, long a center of activity and
spring meeting in Pittsburgh. En intrigue in the city. We ended up right in the midst of the events of the at
tries may be published or unpub tempted coup although we were hard-put to interpret them at the time. The
lished; typewritten, computer conference center was only a quarter of a mile from the Russian White
generated or microfiche; and may House, so we were able to watch events unfold between conference ses
be single collection, subject, or sions. We used the subway to travel most of the time, as walking or taking
repository-wide guides. a taxi around the constantly moving tanks was difficult.
To enter, please submit two copies As archivists, we were dying to get copies of the broadsides that continually
of the finding aid to Connie L. Car appeared in the subways and on walls, but there were always crowds of
tledge, Manuscript Division, Library people around them, and we could not read them ourselves. Because com
of Congress, Washington, DC munications were cut to a great degree, we had only a vague idea of what
20540. All entries must be re was happening around us and we realized how much the Russian people re
ceived by February 15, 1992. lied on verbal communication. We discovered that the deaf mutes of Mos
* cow usually gathered after work at Swerdloff Square, next to our hotel, and
The MARAC publication Constitu- we could see them signing heatedly with one another during the time of the
tional Issues and Archives ( 1988, coup. We watched the conclusion of the coup unfold from the 8th floor of
81 pp.), edited by Mary Boccaccio, the conference center and celebrated mightily at the IFLA reception in the
Kremlin that evening.
has been reduced to $3 (plus post
age). It contains a foreword on the The IFLA directors asked that we carry on during the coup, as did the U.S.
importance of archives; groupings and other Embassies. Because of "perestroika," our Russian colleagues
of articles under the general topics were able to participate fully in the Congress. They had worked long and
of "Freedom of Information and hard to plan events; meeting and talking freely with colleagues from the
Personal Privacy Issues," "Privacy
Issues in Documenting Society and
Government," and "Copyright Is
sues and Freedom of Information,"
and Leonard Rapport's luncheon
address given at the Fall 1987 Acid Free Archival Supplies
MARAC meeting. To order this
publication as well as other WE CARE ABOUT YOUR ARCHIVES!
MARAC publications contact Mar
sha Trimble, University of Virginia
Law Library, Charlottesville, VA • Hollinger Distributor
22901 or call 804-924-3023. • Boxes, Paper, Mylar®
* • Very Competitive Pricing
If you did not renew your MARAC • Quick Shipment
membership this fall, and you
would like to remain a member, For your free catalog call:
please send your $10.00 check 800-747-1249
and renewal form to Marsha Trim
ble immediately. Names of per G.M. WYLIE COMPANY
sons not renewing by January 30th P.O. BOX AA, WASHINGTON, PA 15301
will be removed from the database.
Marsha's address is University of Preservation is your responsibility, providing
Virginia Law Library, Charlottes quality ]IMEPRESERVER"" products is ours!
ville, VA 22901.
4
maa XX/11
MARAC'S
DATELINE MOSCOW, AUGUST 1991
20TH ANNIVERSARY
West was important for them. While most of the papers presented that re
The Spring issue of the Mid
lated to preservation and conservation were ones familiar to many of us,
Atlantic Archivist will feature a spe
they were new to our Eastern European colleagues, and very well received.
cial section dedicated to MARAC's
The Russian librarians were expressive, even during the coup, in describ 20th Anniversary. The feature sec
ing their frustration over the years because of their inability to communicate tion will contain an interview with
with colleagues in the West, or to have access to our professional litera Leonard Rapport, who will reflect
ture. Many library and archive administrators were party functionaries who on his memories of the organiza
knew little about library and archival work. When these administrators were tion, especially the story of the
permitted to attend an international conference, they were unable to partici "Desoto" and the "cradle." There
pate because most understood only Russian and had little background in will also be anecdotes from the
the field. They were unable to bring any meaningful information home to membership and a short history of
their staff. the organization.
1 was struck by how hard the librarians (and later, the conservators) work. We will publish selected "anec
They are lucky to have one typewriter in an office, often pre-World War II dotes" in the Spring issue of the
vintage. Because the government controlled communication, there was no maa, so please send them to the
thought of computers in most libraries, although Russian bibliography is editor by March 1st, 1992.
now being computerized. I met Helena Melnikova, a cartographer and Re
One anecdote has already been
search Archivist at the All-Union Archives, Moscow, over lunch during the
submitted by Greg Bradsher. Greg
coup. Her English was excellent and I managed to introduce her to a few
stated that "At the Fall 1988 meet
people who could provide her with information on records management and
ing at Harrisburg, PA, our hospital
paper conservation. On Friday she took Michele and me on a whirlwind
ity suite held in a hotel room was a
tour of the churches of Moscow (each with mass in progress), and insisted
noisy affair, so much so that hotel
that we photograph the remaining barricades around the White House "for
guests complained about us. After
our archives." Helena's husband had remained at the White House during
requesting several times that we
the coup while she attended the conference, and gave a paper on the col
keep the noise down, the assistant
lection of early maps of Moscow in her archive. She was exhausted, but
hotel manager finally relocated us
wanted to spend the day with us, showing us her Moscow and talking, be
to the hotel basement ballroom.
fore she returned to her garden to work out the tension of the week.
As we were leaving the hotel room,
We learned that as a professional Helena works about 60 hours a week; the assistant manager remarked
this because of the lack of competent clerical assistance. She, like most of that he thought archivists were like
our Russian colleagues, is anxious for exchanges. She, unlike some, librarians, i.e., quiet people. Upon
would be able to come to the West for six months or a year, to share her hearing this remark, I informed him
knowledge of Russian cartography while learning how to apply automation that we might deal with 'dead
to archival management. However, archivists need to go to Russia as well, records,' but were certainly not
to learn more about what our colleagues are doing there and to share cur 'dead people.' He just shrugged
rent information on archival procedures and management. We have a his shoulders, shook his head, and
great deal to learn from one another. left mumbling that he swore he
My primary concern is preservation. The Eastern European archivists have thought archivists were like librar
developed a number of good techniques for the treatment of paper-based ians and just could not understand
materials that we should investigate; they need to learn about our conser why we were so lively."
vation technology. Most of all, our Eastern European colleagues need in
formation about how we manage our archives. Automation will come, SPECIAL NOTE
sooner rather than later, to Eastern European archives.
All anecdotes not used in the fea
I hope that MARAC will play a role in exchanges between Eastern Europe ture section of the Spring maa and
an and Western archivists. We need to find sources of support for such any memorabilia relating to past
exchanges, for Eastern European archivists will need considerable financial MARAC events will be used at the
support if they are to spend any time in the West. But efforts to fund ex 20th anniversary meeting in Pitts
changes will be rewarded by the opportunity to share and to learn, to burgh. So send those cards and
strengthen the archival profession throughout the world. It is an exciting letters to the editor, maa or to Jodi
challenge. Koste, Special Collections and Ar
chives, Tompkins McCaw Library,
MUV, Box 582, Richmond, Virginia
23298-0582.
5
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State MARYLAND STATE ARCHIVES RECEIVES
& Local News PRESERVATION GRANT
The Maryland State Archives has been awarded a $113,785 grant by the
National Endowment for the Humanities' Office of Preservation to preserve
MARYLAND
historic collections of Maryland newspapers. The project will produce mi
STATE ARCHIVES TO CLOSE· crofilm copies of the Maryland newspapers, thus making these brittle, en
MONDAYS dangered records more accessible to the general public and scholars.
As of October 4, 1 991 , the Public The grant from the NEH allows the Archives to accelerate a preservation
Searchroom of the Maryland State program begun in 1979. With the assistance of concerned individuals, his
Archives will be closed on Mon torical agencies, libraries, and newspaper publishers, the Archives micro
days reducing service from six filmed 181 Maryland newspapers, representing over 1.2 million pages, in
days a week to five. The Sear the last 12 years. Working with the University of Maryland, the Enoch Pratt
chroom will remain open Tuesday Free Library, the Maryland Historical Society, and other institutions, the Ar
through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 chives has identified an additional 151 newspapers, amounting to 831 ,246
p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to pages, in need of preservation microfilming.
4:30 p.m. On Saturdays only, the
The microfilm created by this project will be accessible to public through
Searchroom closes for lunch,
the publication, Newspapers of Maryland: A Guide to the Microfilm Collec
12:00 to 1 :00 p.m.
tion of Newspapers at the Maryland State Archives. The microfilm de
The change in opening hours is scribed in this guide is available for reference use at the Maryland State Ar
due to the cutbacks in the State chives, through interlibrary loan, or may be purchased.
budget. Reductions in Archives'
*
staff have left too few employees
The University of Maryland College Park held a luncheon on November 13,
to ensure an adequate level of pub
1991 to celebrate the publication of the Guide to Newspapers and News
lic service and to provide adequate
paper Holdings in Maryland. This work was compiled by the Maryland
security for the valuable records
Newspaper Project under the direction Peter Curtis, Curator of Marylandia
circulated in the Public Sear
at UMCP and published by the Maryland Department of Education's State
chroom. Monday was chosen as
Library Resource Center. The publication lists 2,356 titles of United States
the day to close after consultation
newspapers located in 87 Maryland institutions. As mentioned above, the
with Archives' patrons and mem
Marylanq State Archives is currently directing the preservation microfilming
bers of the Searchroom Advisory
stage of the project.
Committee.
*
The Archives will continue to pro
vide reference assistance on Mon The Montgomery County History Consortium in cooperation with the Mary-
days to state and local government land Historical and Cultural Museums Assistance Program held a "hands
and to the general public through on" computer workshop November 18, 1991 at the National Capital Trolley
telephone and mail inquiries. The Museum in Silver Spring, MD. This day long workshop introduced partici
lobby shop at the Archives will also pants to collections automation through a morning discussion and an after
be open on Mondays. noon practicum. The goal of the workshop was to open a dialogue for
sharing collections information, contact: Lesley van der Lee, Consortium
The Maryland State Archives is the
Administrator, at 301-77 4-2502.
historical agency for Maryland. Its
public search room is open Tuesday *
- Saturday for people to research The Government References Service division of the Enoch Pratt Free Li-
family genealogy and local history. brary/State Resource center held a tour to orient its users to its collections
There are professional archivists and services on November 20, 1991. For further information, contact:
on duty to assist patrons. Records Joseph M. Eagan, Head Government Reference Service, at 301-396-4042.
are also available through photo
copies and interlibrary loan of
microfilm.
For further information, please call
Gregory Stiverson on (301) 974-
3914.
6
maa XX/11
VIRGINIA NEW JERSEY
THE VIRGINIA NEWSPAPER PROJECT: The New Jersey State Library is
"PRESERVING VIRGINIA'S HERITAGE" pleased to announce its spring
preservation workshop, "Mirrors of
The Virginia State Library and Archives, the Virginia Historical Society, the
Time: Preserving Photographic Col
University of Virginia, and the College of William and Mary are cooperating
lections." The featured speaker for
to find, catalog, and preserve newspapers in the Commonwealth. This Vir
this one-day session will be Gary
ginia Newspaper Project is part of the United States Newspaper Program, a
Albright, Photographic Conservator
coordinated, national effort to identify, to preserve, and to make available to
at the Northeast Document Con
researchers newspapers published in the United States from the seven
servation Center.
teenth century through the present. As part of the program, the four librar
ies will create a record of all titles and issues held in various repositories Topics to be covered include iden
throughout the state and add this information to a national online computer tification of photographic pro
database. Those titles most important for research will be preserved on cesses, causes of deterioration,
microfilm. conservation treatment alternatives,
proper environmental storage, and
The Virginia Newspaper Project is surveying libraries, courthouses, ar
proper storage materials and tech
chives, newspaper publishers, and private collections to gather information
niques. A clinic will be offered in
about the identification and location of all primary newspaper holdings in
the afternoon to evaluate items
the state. From this basic survey, catalogers and historians will visit these
brought by participants.
repositories and individuals to assess bibliographic and preservation work
and to ascertain if there are newspaper collections held by other agencies The presentation will be geared to
or individuals which were overlooked during the initial survey. ward librarians, conservators, cura
Funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, and with technical tors and staff who work with photo
graph collections.
support from the Library of Congress, the project operates in two stages.
The first year's grant covers the initial planning phase of identifying and lo This workshop will be offered in
cating the newspapers. A follow-up grant will fund the cataloging and mi three locations: Thursday, March
crofilming tasks. The entire project is expected to take several years to 5, 1992 - Madison Public Library;
complete. Friday, March 6, 1992 - Ocean
County Library, Toms River, NJ;
For more information contact the Virginia Newspaper Project, Virginia State
Monday, March 9, 1992 - Vineland
Library and Archives, 11th Street at Capitol Square, Richmond, Virginia
Public Library.
23219-3491' [phone].
Each session will run from 9:30 to
*
4:00, with registration at 9:00. The
1991-92 SLATE OF SPEAKERS AND TOPICS FOR THE HISTORY OF
registration fee of $15.00 covers
THE HEALTH SCIENCES LECTURE SERIES
breaks and lunch.
THE CLAUDE MOORE HEALTH SCIENCES LIBRARY
This workshop is co-sponsored by
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER
the Northeast Document Conserva
Thursday, November 14, 1991 tion Center and Rutgers University
Gertrude Fraser, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anthropology, School of Information and Library
University of Virginia Services. Participants will earn .5
"African-American Midwives and Southern Medicine" CEUs from Rutgers University,
which may be applied toward the
Thursday, February 27, 1992
PDS Certificate in Preservation.
C. Knight Aldrich, M.D., Professor Emeritus of Behavioral Medicine and
Psychiatry, University of Virginia, For further information contact
Betty Steckman, New Jersey State
"The President's Grief: An Exercise in Psychohistory"
Library; phone [phone].
Thursday, April 23, 1992
Robert M. Carey, M.D., Dean of the School of Medicine,
University of Virginia,
"Medicine and Health During the Colonization of Virginia"
All lectures will be held at 5:00 p.m. in the Moll Medical History Room of
The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library.
7
maa XX//1
State RECORDS MANAGEMENT REALIGNMENT
& Local News In September 1991, the Governor's Office of Administration and the De
partment of General Services reached an agreement to transfer executive
branch records management responsibilities to the Pennsylvania Historical
and Museum Commission. The transfer of the state records center, the
PENNSYLVANIA
micrographics unit and the records management section will consolidate
The Beaver County Micrographics records management and archival responsibilities for all levels of govern
Department recently received a ment in the Commission's Bureau of Archives and History.
1991 Achievement Award from the *
National Association of Counties
It is anticipated that Governor Robert P. Casey will proclaim May 17-23 Ar-
(NACO) for its new microfilm appli
chives Week in Pennsylvania. Accordingly, the State Archives will be en
cations fro law enforcement which
couraging other repositories, historical societies and local governments in
involve presenting documentary
the Commonwealth to sponsor archives awareness activities in their own
evidence in court and microfilming
communities during this week. In this way we hope to acquaint citizens
currency used in undercover drug
statewide with the value and usefulness of archival and manuscript collec
operations. The Association com
tions, and with the need to preserve these materials which document their
mended the department fro suc
heritage.
cessfully addressing a significant
concern in the county. This is the
second year in a row that the de
partment has received a NACO
award. For more information on
these innovative uses of microfilm,
IN MEMORIUM
contact Charles Hilt, Beaver Coun
ty Courthouse, Beaver, PA 15009, JANE MEREDITH PAIRO
and see Pennotes, Volume 5,
Number 2, 1990. Friends and colleagues of Jane M. Pairo were saddened to learn of her
sudden death on October 5, 1991, after complications from surgery. Ana
*
tive of Richmond, Virginia, Jane graduated from Janes Madison University
Thanks to a $3000 Local History
in 1966, received a Masters of Education degree from the University of Vir
Grant received from the Pennsylva
ginia in 1970, and obtained her MLS degree from Catholic University in
nia Historical and Museum Com
1984. After teaching history at secondary schools in Charlottesville and
mission in 1990, Union County
Chesterfield County, Virginia, she joined the Archives and Records Division
Archives staff member Mary Miller
of the Virginia State Library and Archives in 1972. Her responsibilities as
has finished processing fifteen cu
an archivist included reference services, archival education programs, and
bic feet of naturalization records,
specialized inventories of the records of the Virginia legislature.
1810-1956, and election records,
Jane's particular interest was in developing archival outreach programs.
1814-1956. The records have
She was the author of articles on that subject and was a program partici
been arranged and flat filed in acid
pant at the 1983 SAA meeting in Minneapolis on outreach. As head of the
free folders and boxes, and as part
Public Services Section of the Archives and Records Division, she was an
of the project, an index has also
effective advocate of the archival cause before local, state and regional his
been prepared which is available
torical, genealogical and professional organizations.
on microfiche, After the process
ing was completed, Dianne B. On January 18, 1984, Jane was appointed Assistant State Archivist for Ar
Lynch, Prothonotary and Clerk of chives. From 1984 until December 1989 when she left Virginia to accept a
Courts, transferred the records to position as manager of preservation programs with SOLINET in Atlanta,
the county's new Archives Room. Jane was actively involved with current archival disaster preparedness and
preservation issues. She was a program participant for a session on con
Shirley A. Fero, Archives Director,
servation at the 1986 MARAC meeting at Charlottesville. Before leaving
reports that other records including
Richmond, Jane had carefully guided the first state-wide preservation sur
marriage licenses, civil court files
vey, chaired a committee that prepared the initial disaster preparedness
and tavern licenses have been
plan for the Virginia Archives, and developed a series of disaster recovery
moved to the Archives. For more
training programs.
information, contact Ms. Fero, Pro
thonotary's Office, Union County Jane's family asks that contributions be made in her memory to the Ameri
Courthouse, 1 03 South Second can Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. Her friends at SO
Street, Lewis burg, PA 17837. LINET have established a Jane Pairo Memorial Fund for the purchase of
preservation materials for its library.
8
maa XX/11
PENNSYLVANIA PHMC AWARDS RECORDS
MANAGEMENT GRANTS TO
MORE ON ARCFEST '92
FOUR COUNTIES
The Pennsylvania State Archives will be sponsoring ArcFest '92, a week
In September 1991, Allegheny,
long celebration of the State's documentary heritage, from May 16th
Centre, Philadelphia and Union
through May 23rd. Events to be held at the Archives during this week in
counties were awarded grants
clude a genealogy conference, exhibits in the Archives lobby, and extended
ranging from $2,450 to $3,000 un
evening and weekend hours in the Reference Room.
der the terms of the Pennsylvania
The highlight of the festival will be "Family Heritage Day," to take place on
Historical and Museum Commis
the front lawn of the Archives building on Saturday, May 23rd. On this day,
sion's Local History Grant Pro
the public will be able to bring their family's documentary treasures for free
gram. The grant funds will be used
appraisal by professional manuscript dealers, and can receive advice on
to arrange, describe, preserve and
preserving important family records from the Archives staff. Artisans will
make available historically valuable
bring to life the crafts of papermaking and calligraphy, and a historical hat
records at archival facilities operat
maker, who used records from the State Archives to learn his trade, will
ed by each county.
demonstrate his methods. A local early music ensemble will entertain visi
Larry Bickford, Centre County Di
tors with renditions of 18th, 19th and 20th century songs found in State Ar
rector of Administrative Services,
chives Collections.
will oversee a project to preserve
Also on hand will be a unit of Civil War reenactors to conduct drills, fire
and make available to the public
weapons, and discuss that historical period with visitors. Arriving just be
the county's Naturalization Papers,
fore Memorial Day, ArcFest '92 will be particularly well positioned to raise
Slave Records, Revolutionary War
issues regarding the preservation of records documenting the involvement
Declarations and Quarter Sessions
of Pennsylvania citizens in military activities over the past three centuries.
Papers dating back to 1800; while
Further information on ArcFest '92 may be obtained by contacting Sharon Diana L. Robinson, Chief Clerk, will
Nelson, Associate Archivist, Pennsylvania State Archives, Box 1026, Harris be responsible tor a similar project
burg, PA 17108-1026, [phone]. involving Union County's Road and
* Bridge Papers covering the period
1814-1984.
PENNSYLVANIA RECEIVES NHPRC GRANT Allegheny County will utilize its
$3,000 grant to purchase acid-free
The Governor's Office of Administration was awarded a grant of $116,230
by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to fund a storage boxes and folders as part
of a project to systematically re
project to integrate electronic records into the Commonwealth's archival
and records management programs. The eighteen month project will fea move fragile and deteriorating eigh
teenth and nineteenth century
ture both inventory and access components directed by staff of the State
court papers currently stored in the
Archives.
courthouse attic. Under a two-year
project directed by Ken White,
Allegheny County Records Man
agement Consultant, some 16,000
cubic teet of records will either be
removed from the attic to the coun
Advertisement ty records center or will be de
stroyed. A $2,450 grant was also
ARCHIVIST awarded to the Philadelphia City
Archives which houses both city
Full-time, MLS or Certification from the Academy of Certified
and county records. Under the di
Archivists. To appraise, arrange, describe collections, pre
rection of City Archivist Ward
pare and update finding aids, coordinate materials preserva Childs, some 7,000 glass plate
tion needs, and serve at reference desk, includes some night negatives and 20,000 prints cre
and weekend hours. Send resumes to: Nancy B. Hammeke, ated by the Philadelphia Board of
Public Education will be placed in
Director, Morristown and Morris Twp. Library, 1 Miller Road,
archival enclosures.
Morristown, N.J. 07960. Excellent Benefits.
An Equal Opportunity Employer.
9
maa XXI/1
NEWS NEW YORK STATE PRESENTS ARCHIVES AWARDS
As part of its celebration of New York Archives Week, the New York State
NOTES
Archives and Records Administration (SARA) presented eight awards that
recognized achievements in archives and records management. Certif
icates of awards were presented at a special ceremony in Albany, hosted
by the State Board of Regents. Shirley Brown, Chair of the Regents Cul
tural Education Committee, presented the awards.
Cornell University Library received the award for Distinguished Archival
Service in New York State. From 1977-1991 Cornell administered the His
torical Documents Inventory, which systematically surveyed the historical
records in more than 1,500 repositories in New York State and published
guides to the records in each county. Descriptions of the records have
also been entered into the national Research Libraries Information Network,
helping to make New York's documentary heritage available to researchers
nationwide, and, increasingly, worldwide.
The award for Program Excellence in an Historical Records Repository in
New York State was presented to the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives of
New York University. The Wagner Archives was recognized for its profes
NEW ENGLAND MUSEUM sional administration of a wide variety of archives relating to labor and so
ASSOCIATION AND OLD cial history and its statewide leadership role through its coordination of the
STURBRIDGE VILLAGE Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. Labor History Project.
MUSEUM ARCHIVES INSTITUTE
The award tor Excellence in Research Using the Holdings of the State Ar
APRIL 10-11, 1992
chives went to Dr. Gerda Ray, Professor of History at the University of Mis
The Fifth New England Museum souri, St. Louis for her in-depth research into the operations of the New
Association and Old Sturbridge Vil York State Police, focusing on the investigation of political radicals.
lage Museum Archives Institute will
Albany County Hall of Records received the award of Excellence in Local
be held at Old Sturbridge Village
Government Archival Program Development. It was recognized as having
on April 10 -11, 1992. The Institute
one of the most well developed records management and archival pro
has been expanded into a two year
grams in the State.
program so as to allow for a more
Andrew J. Spano, Westchester County Clerk, was honored as the Most Ef
concentrated and in-depth ap
fective New York Advocate on behalf of archives and records management.
proach to the topics. Participants
Spano was commended for his efforts to gain passage of key pieces of lo
may join the program either year.
cal government records legislation and for his leadership on the Local Gov
The sessions are designed for the
ernment Records Advisory Council.
beginner and include such topics
as records management, appraisal, The award for Excellence in State Agency Records Management Program
arrangement and description, refer Development was presented to the Governor's Office of Employee Rela
ence and access, legal issues, tions, which has taken aggressive steps to improve agency-wide records
preservation, management, oral management.
history, automation, fundraising, ex For the first time, two awards were presented to secondary students for
hibits, photographs, and outreach. their research projects that demonstrated substantial use of historical
Institute faculty is made up of mu records. Marie Turock, Johnson City Senior High School and Emily Haag,
seum and archives professionals Pittsford Middle School, received award certificates and a cash prize that
who enjoy a national reputation. was donated anonymously by a member of the Board of Regents.
Both the basic and special topic
*
programs are two days with a limit
The National Arcnives announced that the 1920 census will be opened to
ed registration and a fee of $90.00
researchers on March 2, 1992. It will be available in the Microfilm Reading
each. For information call Theresa
Room of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., the 12 region
Rini Percy, Director of Research
al archives across the nation, and through the National Archives microfilm
Library, Old Sturbridge Village, 1
sales and rental programs. To protect individual privacy, personal census
Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Stur
data are restricted for 72 years. Schedules or forms from censuses of
bridge, MA 01566, [phone].
1790 through 1910 have been publicly released; however, nearly all of the
data collected in the 1890 census was destroyed by fire.
10