Although registration for the New England Archivists Spring 2016 Meeting does not open until this coming Monday, January 11th, the program is available online now. Browse through sessions, plenary speakers, workshops, and the many special events planned throughout the meeting.

Two of those special events still need participants. Both events will be interesting ways to view archives and archivists and we hope you'll take the opportunity to join us for either Moths in the Archives: Stories from the Stacks on Friday or Home Movie Day on Saturday.

FRIDAY APRIL 1ST
Moths in the Archives: Stories from the Stacks

Do you know a good archives story? Have you ever had something interesting or unexpected happen while in the archives? Something funny, weird, wise, or unforgettable? Tell us about it during NEA's first StorySLAM: Moths in the Archives: Stories from the Stacks.

Based on the StorySLAM competitions developed by NYC non-profit literary society The Moth, there are only four groundrules to the NEA competition at the Spring 2016 Meeting:
-- First rule is all stories must be true
-- Second rule is all stories must be told, not read.
-- Third rule is there is a 5-minute time limit.
-- And fourth rule is to keep it anonymous -- don't betray confidentiality restrictions

Bring your wit and wisdom to the masses of New England archivists who are just waiting to hear a good story. And at the end of the evening, scores will be tallied and a winner announced. Submit an outline of your story to be considered eligible for the NEA competition.

Questions? Contact Matt Spry (sprymatt@gmail.com) for information about the NEA event at the Spring 2016 Meeting. And get some great storytelling tips on The Moth's website.


FRIDAY APRIL 1ST
Home Movie Day

A home movie is a short amateur film or video typically made just to preserve a visual record of family activities, a vacation, or a special event, and intended for viewing at home by family and friends. (Wikipedia)

Archivists know better than anyone how much home movies are an important aspect to documenting everyday life and cultural history. To celebrate these unique films found in countless archival collections across New England, NEA will host a Home Movie Day screening and discussion during the NEA Spring 2016 Meeting led by Liz Coffey, Film Conservator at Harvard Film Archive.

But first we need submissions. We are asking NEA members or any archival repository in the New England region to submit a home movie to be screened to an audience of archivists. Formats accepted: 8mm, super 8, super 8 sound, 16mm, VHS, DVD, digital files (playable via laptop). And please note: all films will be handled by archivists and returned with care. 

If you wish to submit a film or video for this unique event, please complete a submission form for consideration before January 15, 2016. Any questions, contact John Campopiano (jcampopiano@gmail.com).

To quote John Waters: "Home Movie Day is an orgy of self-discovery, a chance for family memories to suddenly become show business. If you’ve got one, whip it out and show it now."