News & announcements

Last month the Northwest Archivists Continuing Education Fund sponsored a two-part miniseries created for archivists and collection managers titled: Digital Collection Essentials. These webinars are now available on YouTube and can be accessed freely at your leisure. They also serve as a great complement to the presentation I delivered to ARCS on November 4, 2020: Database Blues – An action plan for selection and implementation of a new CMS; a version of which can be found here.

Link: youtu.be/lHoCZgqBhFM

Abstract: Over the years digital collections have steadily increased in their importance to how archivists and other collection workers serve up collections. And COVID-19 has shown us just how critically important it is for archives and museums to provide a public way to access digital collections. But what if you have little to no collections online? What if they're online, but they're failing to engage the community by any meaningful metric? If your collections aren't online and in front of people, then they don't exist. This webinar will define what an engaging point of access is, outline creative ways to deliver collections online with or without a Collections Management System (CMS), and review strategies for how to create meaningful digital collection experiences with non-traditional (read: not CMS) platforms.

The CMS: What's Essential, What's Hackable, and What Does it Cost?

Link: youtu.be/Mn9WdGRF1i4

Abstract: The Pacific Northwest is home to a wide array of cultural heritage organizations with varying budget sizes to accomplish the Sisyphean task of digital collections management. For those who have no Collections Management System (CMS), have cobbled together CMS tools, or are looking for a new CMS; there are questions that require answering:

1. What is “essential” when it comes to serving up digital collections via a CMS?
2. How can I hack various digital collection tools to accomplish my goals?
3. What costs do I need to be aware of when considering my options?

Whether you’re a large and well-funded organization, or a lone-arranger at a modest shop, the truth is we could all use more information to evaluate our digital collections management options. There’s no one-size fits all CMS option, so instead this webinar will provide strategies for how to critically evaluate the essential (to you) functions of a CMS, how the CMS can be flexed to creatively fit needs, and review *all* of the costs to consider when considering digital collection management.

The NWA Continuing Education Fund is Sponsoring a Miniseries on Digital Collection Essentials -- Free to NWA Membership. Presented by Rachael Woody of Rachael Cristine Consulting LLC.

COVID-19 has highlighted the essential role digital collection tools play in the day-to-day access of collection holdings. Due to the pandemic many archives have shuttered or are open for limited hours and access. And yet, archives and museum staff are still trying to meet their mission to facilitate access to their collections. Some are lucky and already have a robust CMS in place. Many more are struggling with a lack of staff, knowledge, tools, or all of the above. This two-part miniseries will support all NWA members who find themselves consumed with trying to deliver their collections online in an easier and more engaging way. Digital collections work and the tools we use are more essential now than ever, and will likely remain so long after the pandemic is over.

Date: February 23 (Tuesday) @1pm Pacific. Can't make it? Register anyway and you'll receive a link to the recording.

Registration Link: https://rachaelcristine.mykajabi.com/discoverable-digital-collection-registration-page

Webinar #1 Abstract: Over the years digital collections have steadily increased in their importance to how archivists and other collection workers serve up collections. And COVID-19 has shown us just how critically important it is for archives and museums to provide a public way to access digital collections. But what if you have little to no collections online? What if they’re online, but they’re failing to engage the community by any meaningful metric? If your collections aren’t online and in front of people, then they don’t exist. This webinar will define what an engaging point of access is, outline creative ways to deliver collections online with or without a Collections Management System (CMS), and review strategies for how to create meaningful digital collection experiences with non-traditional (read: not CMS) platforms.

Webinar #2 Title: The CMS: What’s Essential, What’s Hackable, and What Does it Cost?

Date: February 25 (Thursday) @1pm Pacific. Can't make it? Register anyway and you'll receive a link to the recording.

Registration Link: https://rachaelcristine.mykajabi.com/the-cms-essentials-registration-page

Webinar #2 Abstract: The Pacific Northwest is home to a wide array of cultural heritage organizations with varying budget sizes to accomplish the Sisyphean task of digital collections management. For those who have no Collections Management System (CMS), have cobbled together CMS tools, or are looking for a new CMS; there are questions that require answering:

1. What is “essential” when it comes to serving up digital collections via a CMS?
2. How can I hack various digital collection tools to accomplish my goals?
3. What costs do I need to be aware of when considering my options?

Whether you’re a large and well-funded organization, or a lone-arranger at a modest shop, the truth is we could all use more information to evaluate our digital collections management options. There’s no one-size fits all CMS option, so instead this webinar will provide strategies for how to critically evaluate the essential (to you) functions of a CMS, how the CMS can be flexed to creatively fit needs, and review *all* of the costs to consider when considering digital collection management.

To solve for these LAM grant resource gaps Rachael Woody of Rachael Cristine Consulting LLC has teamed up with Lucidea to provide a one-stop-shop to get the majority of your grant needs met. To supplement Woody's book published by Lucidea Press, A Survivor’s Guide to Museum Grant Writing, Lucidea’s Think Clearly Blog posts, and suite of webinars, we’ve created a LAM grant toolkit. It provides a comprehensive grant database spanning Libraries, Archives, and Museums with opportunities in the United States and Canada. The database allows users to quickly drill-down to see the opportunities that best match their needs for specifications such as: deadline, award range, and grant project theme—the three most important things you need to know to determine if the grant opportunity is a good fit for you. The goal of this database is to give you all the basic information you need up front without wasting time going to each grant website and searching out the fractured information.

LAM Grant Directory
We invite you to check out our brand new grant directory here: https://lucidea.com/grants-directory/. This directory will be periodically updated so please feel free to send in any national grant opportunities we may have missed, as well as share any feedback to help us make this an even better resource for everyone.

And That’s Not All…
The LAM Grant Workbook

We’ve crafted a LAM grant workbook that introduces you to every typical grant application field and provides four grant application templates. The workbook is designed to guide you through each area of the application, outline what content is needed in order to be successful, and inspire you with four plug-and-play project frameworks.

You can view and download a copy of the grant workbook here: https://lucidea.com/grants-directory/grants-workbook-and-templates/

Ask Me Anything About Grants Webinar

To celebrate the launch of this new resource, Woody is hosting a free Ask Me Anything event with Lucidea on January 27, 2021 @11:00AM Pacific. Details can be found via the registration page: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8180471375768487184

There are two upcoming webinars hosted by Rachael Woody of Rachael Cristine Consulting. The webinar back catalog is available via her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RachaelCristineConsulting. Recordings include: 

• Archives Are Always Essential
• Ask Me Anything: Career Edition for Librarians, Archivists, and Museum Professionals
• Ask Me Anything: Grants Edition for Librarians, Archivists, and Museum Professionals
• Breaking With Tradition: Creating Connections in the Archives with New Types of Access
• Deriving Value from Collections in the Time of Corona (COVID-19)
• Strategies for How to Attract and Train the Best Volunteers
• Strategies for How to Capture and Communicate the Value of Collection Work
• Volunteer Activity Ideas for Libraries, Archives, and Museums

NEW Webinar: How Much am I Worth?

Date: January 7, 2021 @11:00AM Pacific. Can't make it? Register anyway and you'll receive a link to the recording.

Registration Link: https://rachaelcristine.mykajabi.com/worth-registration-page

Archivists and Museum Professionals have noticed a steady decline in the value they’re being paid to do collection work. Even pre-COVID the availability of mid-career, well paying jobs (equivalent to professional work that requires a masters), and paying entry work were scarce. And now that COVID has happened the cultural heritage field is experiencing an economic collapse the likes of which we have never seen. So where does that leave us? How do we continue to protect the value of our work and advocate for our worth in the profession? And how can we translate that message into one that convincingly advocates for compensation that not only pays a living wage, but adequately matches the level of knowledge, skills, and experience required? Rachael Woody has studied the value of collection workers for several years, conducted a literature review and study in 2019, and is well versed in salary information and resources. This webinar will review what our collective value is, teach you how to calculate your own worth, and offer guidance on how to effectively advocate for yourself and your colleagues.

NEW Webinar: CMS 101: Searching, Procuring, and Implementing

Date: January 21, 2021 @11:00AM Pacific. Can't make it? Register anyway and you'll receive a link to the recording.

Registration Link: https://rachaelcristine.mykajabi.com/cms101-registration-page

Abstract: A Collections Management System (CMS) is a long-term investment in staff time, collections care, and money. This means the CMS in place needs to be purposefully selected based off a vetted list of specifications that meet every user need. Once a CMS is selected, staff need to be prepared for the realities of what implementation and collections migration will entail. The process is long and often complicated due to the heavy technical and process knowledge required. To help collection workers through this process, this webinar will guide you through how to search for, select, buy, implement, migrate to, and maximize the value of the CMS. Each section will review the important elements of the process, will highlight areas you should be particularly aware of, and will offer tips to help you navigate the process successfully.

Ryan Anthony Donaldson and Rachael Cristine Woody (myself) are presenting Archives are Always Essential, a webinar that will premiere on October 22 @11AM Pacific.

Register to Attend: https://members.rachaelcristine.com/archives-essential-registration-page

Can't make it? No problem. Register (with the link above) to receive access to the recording.

Webinar abstract: Many of us in the field know that archives are essential, but sometimes it feels like a best-kept secret. It's challenging to convey the true value of our collections despite our best efforts with digital content, social media, and other outreach and awareness activities. It's time to unleash the full potential of heritage collections and archives and we'll show you how. This webinar will review historic outreach challenges, and how they've been compounded and complicated by larger global events in 2020. And in honor of Archives Month, we will explore proactive and actionable responses to these challenges--including relevant examples and additional voices.  

Here is a list of webinars to help Library, Archives, and Museum (LAM) professionals get through the rest of 2020. The webinar topics are: reimagining archival outreach, grant writing, creatively delivering collections to communities, and effectively attracting and training volunteers. These are all free to attend. Details can be found here: https://rachaelcristine.com/2020/10/12/a-list-of-webinars-for-the-remainder-of-2020/

NWA Board has approved the Local Arrangements Committee proposal to organize a completely online conference to be held the first two weeks of May 2021. The Olympia, Washington based Committee, chaired by Charles Hilton (Washington State Archives), along with committee members Anna Trammell (Pacific Lutheran University,) and Adriana Flores (University of Puget Sound,) and Josh Smith (Pacific Lutheran University,) recommended an online conference due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and budget crises that have caused many institution to reduce support for conference travel.

The Committee is excited to explore innovative approaches to connect members and produce a conference with a variety of offerings, such as paper sessions, panels, keynote speakers, poster sessions, committee and affinity meetings/roundtables, and virtual repository tours. The online conference, with reduced or no registration fee, aims to increase conference attendance and NWA membership.  

CALL FOR PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEMBERS

We are now seeking members from all regions of the Pacific Northwest to serve on the Conference Program Committee. The Program Committee will work with the Local Arrangements Committee and the NWA Board to plan and host the online conference. Review the Policies and Procedures Manual for details on the customary roles and responsibilities of Committee members, but keep in mind that planning and hosting a virtual conference will allow for unprecedented innovation and creativity. Please contact me to express interest in serving.

Anne Jenner
NWA President
ajenner@uw.edu

THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT IN SONG

CENTENNIAL OF SUFFRAGE CONCERT PROGRAM
TELLS THE HISTORY OF WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE THROUGH VINTAGE MUSIC

All-new program in 2020 commemorates the ratification of the 19th Amendment

PORTLAND, OR: Centennial of Suffrage tells the story of women’s fight for the vote through the songs that reflected the struggle as it was being waged, opening an entertaining and illuminating window on a critical moment in American history. Singer, composer, historian and international bestselling author Cecelia “Cece” Otto created Centennial of Suffrage to commemorate one of the great civil rights struggles in American history on the eve of its 100th anniversary. She will be giving performances throughout the year in Oregon, with these special events scheduled in March:

Livestream concert of "Centennial of Suffrage"
Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 7pm

This free online concert is made possible through the generosity of the Friends of Lake Oswego Public Library. Special thanks to the Oswego Heritage Council for providing a beautiful venue for Cece to Livestream from. YouTube link (you can set a reminder here): https://youtu.be/R_OravuOBTA. A full write up is here: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/library/remote-lopl/online-first-tuesday-music-featuring-centennial-suffrage-song-revue-cece-otto?date=0.

McMenamin’s Grand Lodge History Pub at Pat's Corner

Sunday, August 23rd at 6:30pm (5:30pm doors). Cece will be performing “Centennial of Suffrage” for this concert as well. Free admission. This is an outdoor, socially-distanced event. Link is here: https://www.mcmenamins.com/events/221875-centennial-of-suffrage-a-concert-commemorating-the-19th-amendment

History that Entertains and Inspires

Centennial of Suffrage consists of more than a dozen songs that reflect the fight to secure the right to vote for American women, a goal finally realized when the 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920. Otto performs each song with its full original lyrics as it would have been heard at the time it was composed, interspersed with commentary that frames each song in the wider context of the suffrage movement.

Songs of Struggle and Courage

“The earliest song I sing in the program is ‘Let Us All Speak Our Minds if We Die for It,’” she says, “which was published right in the middle of the Civil War — and sounds like it could have been written today. By the time we reach the 20th century, Tin Pan Alley is in full swing, and you see the issue reflected in the songs of the day. Pop songs were like newspaper editorials set to music, and I wanted the program to reflect all perspectives, both for and against. So I perform ‘I’m Going to Be a Suffragette’ as well as ‘The Anti-Suffrage Rose,’ for example.”

While professional composers churned out new tunes, suffrage activists often found it useful to repurpose old ones. “For the women involved in this struggle, maintaining morale was crucial,” says Otto. “Having a song to sing while marching or protesting kept everyone’s spirits up, and it made sense to recycle songs everyone already new. So you have ‘America, the Beautiful’ re-written with pro-suffrage lyrics, or ‘Keep Woman in Her Sphere’ — actually a pro-suffrage song — which is sung to the tune of ‘Auld Lang Syne.’”

An American Songline®

Created by Otto in 2013, An American Songline is an ongoing project dedicated to preserving and sharing the story of America through unique, experiential musical performances. American Songline performances entertain, educate and delight thanks to Cece’s unique ability to engage modern audiences with the songs and stories of a simpler time. “Bringing history to life through music is my calling,” she says. “You can learn so much about a place and time through its songs, and this program offers a unique way of examining and reliving such a crucial moment in history.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                       Contact: Dan Wiencek                                                       

Phone: 303-995-5009                                                                                                    

Email: info@americansongline.com

Did you prepare a paper or plan to be part of a session or a panel discussion at the 2020 Western Archives Meeting in San Francisco? We want to hear your presentation! Each month between July 2020 and March 2021, NWA will host an NWA MVP - Monthly Virtual Presentation on Zoom. All member of Northwest Archivists will be invited to attend and join in the Q&A. 

Register to present your own conference paper or as the representative of your planned session or panel. What a great way to connect and share your work with other members!

Dear Colleagues,

The SAA Spotlight Award Subcommittee invites nominations for the 2020 Spotlight Award.  This award "recognizes the contributions of individuals who work for the good of the archives profession and of archival collections, and whose work would not typically receive public recognition."  Nominees do not have to be members of SAA.  Please share this message as you think appropriate.  I hope you will consider recognizing a colleague (or yourself!) in this way.  Additional information about the criteria and process is found below.  

Purpose and Criteria for Selection: Established in 2005, the Spotlight Award recognizes the contributions of individuals who work for the good of the archives profession and of archival collections, and whose work would not typically receive public recognition. The nominee(s) should have achieved distinction in one or more of the following ways:

 *   Participating in special projects.
 *   Exhibiting tireless committee or advocacy work.
 *   Responding effectively to an unforeseen or pressing need or emergency.
 *   Contributing innovative or creative ideas to the profession.
 *   Performing extraordinary volunteerism.
 *   Quietly but effectively promoting the profession.

Eligibility:  Awarded to an individual archivist or a group of up to five archivists who have collaborated on a project. Preference is given to archivists working in smaller repositories, especially those without institutional support for professional activities.

Prize:  A certificate and complimentary registration for the individual recipient or group (of up to five individuals) to the SAA Annual Meeting occurring in the year in which the award is presented.

Nomination Form: Click here to preview the nomination form and/or to start a nomination.

Submission Deadline: February 28, 2018. 

Best regards,
Cristina Ribeiro Horak, Chair