News & EVENTS

New England Archivists' Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator (IDC) is pleased to announce the approval of a new award called The Inclusion and Diversity Session Sponsorship and Travel Award. This new award, running as a three-year pilot program (2016-2018), will sponsor a session at NEA's annual Spring Meeting to increase discussion of issues related to inclusion, diversity, and social justice in the profession. The awarding session will be chosen from among the proposals submitted to the Spring Meeting Program Committee. Presenters, as a group, will be eligible for up to $900.00 in reimbursement for travel expenses.

Sponsorship for the NEA Spring 2016 Meeting has been awarded to Giordana Mecagni, Patricia Reeve, Marilyn Morgan, Josue Sakata, Andrew Elder, and Julia Collins Howington for session 2.7: “Boston Public Schools Desegregation: From Digital Library to Classroom.” (Saturday April 2 -- 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.).

For more information on this new award and the Spring 2016 Meeting including how to register -- see the NEA website. Or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

What are you doing tonight? Join the New England Archivists Membership Committee and Digital Commonwealth for a joint social event at the Audubon in Boston. Chat with fellow members, network a bit, and get to know the Digital Commonwealth. All members are welcome. No RSVP required. NEA purchases snacks, drinks on your own.

Thursday, March 10, 2016
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Audubon Boston Bar and Restaurant
838 Beacon Street | Boston, MA
Nearest MBTA Subway Stops: St. Mary's Street (Green Line C); Fenway (Green Line D)
Nearest MBTA Bus line: 47; CT2

See you tonight!

This Thursday, March 10th, join the New England Archivists Membership Committee and Digital Commonwealth for a joint social event at the Audubon in Boston. Chat with fellow members, network a bit, and get to know the Digital Commonwealth. All members are welcome. No RSVP required. NEA purchases snacks, drinks on your own.

Thursday, March 10, 2016
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Audubon Boston Bar and Restaurant
838 Beacon Street | Boston, MA

Mass Transportation:
Nearest MBTA Subway Stops: St. Mary's Street (Green Line C); Fenway (Green Line D)
Nearest MBTA Bus line: 47; CT2

See you on the 10th!

Registration is now open for the New England Archivists for “Planning Your Digitization Project: Getting the Most out of your Time, Resources, and Collections” with Maureen Jennings, archivist at Safdie Architects on Thursday, May 5, 2016.

This half day workshop will give participants an overview of the basics of digitization project planning—including determining project scope and budget, mapping intellectual goals to physical workflow, and planning for technology and staffing requirements—to get the most out of your newly- created digital assets. Strategies and resources for long-term digital asset management will be discussed to cover the entire life cycle of digital assets created as a result of digitization projects. Participants will also walk through an “if/then” decision tree considering the essential questions of digitization hopes and needs, which can then be used in the development of a concrete, personalized plan.

To register and for more information, visit http://www.newenglandarchivists.org/event-2170069

Workshop: Planning Your Digitization Project: Getting the Most out of your Time, Resources, and Collections
Instructor: Maureen Jennings, archivist at Safdie Architects
When: Thursday, May 5, 2016, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: NARA | 380 Trapelo Rd |Waltham, MA 02452

Today is the last day to sign up to volunteer during the New England Archivists' Day of Service event at the Spring 2016 Meeting in Portland, Maine. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to learn some skills in constructing preservation housing using recycled materials.

Volunteer on Thursday, March 31st to work with fellow NEA members in the creation of phase boxes for archival collections at the Maine Historical Society in Portland. The Day of Service event, in conjunction with the NEA Spring 2016 Meeting, is a chance for archivists to help our colleagues improve the preservation of the Society's bound manuscript and rare book collections, including diaries, journals, ledgers and early Maine imprints, while also getting to learn a valuable skill, meet new people, and serve our profession.

Volunteers will work on-site at MHS to create phase boxes out of recycled materials to house 18th-20th century bound volumes. This work will help supplement ongoing preservation work, stemming from an IMLS conservation grant awarded in 2006. Materials will vary in size and age. Volunteers will learn how to utilize recycled materials to efficiently and economically to create phase boxes and enhance the preservation of a variety of materials. All training and supplies will be provided to volunteers at the start of each shift, and no prior experience creating phase boxes needed. MHS is a short walk from the conference hotel. Snacks will be provided. Interested volunteers will also have the opportunity to go on a tour of MHS before or after their shift.

Shifts are first come, first serve, and space is limited so sign up now to guarantee a spot*. Sign ups close today Friday, March 4th**. Once someone signs-up for a shift, the project organizers will email potential volunteers to confirm participation and share further logistical details.

Help make a difference for a historic Maine repository and we'll see you in Portland!

*You do not have to attend the Spring 2016 Meeting in order to participate in this event.
** The morning shift is now FULL and the rest are short only one or two people.

Registration Opens Saturday March 5: Planning Your Digitization Project workshop

Join the New England Archivists for “Planning Your Digitization Project: Getting the Most out of your Time, Resources, and Collections” with Maureen Jennings on Thursday May 5, 2016.

This half day workshop will give participants an overview of the basics of digitization project planning—including determining project scope and budget, mapping intellectual goals to physical workflow, and planning for technology and staffing requirements—to get the most out of your newly- created digital assets. Strategies and resources for long-term digital asset management will be discussed to cover the entire life cycle of digital assets created as a result of digitization projects. Participants will also walk through an “if/then” decision tree considering the essential questions of digitization hopes and needs, which can then be used in the development of a concrete, personalized plan.

Early bird registration opens Saturday March 5th. For more information, visit http://www.newenglandarchivists.org/event-2170069

Workshop: Planning Your Digitization Project: Getting the Most out of your Time, Resources, and Collections
Instructor: Maureen Jennings, archivist at Safdie Architects
When: Thursday, May 5, 2016, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: NARA | 380 Trapelo Rd |Waltham, MA 02452

Volunteer on Thursday, March 31st to work with fellow NEA members in the creation of phase boxes for archival collections at the Maine Historical Society in Portland. The Day of Service event, in conjunction with the NEA Spring 2016 Meeting, is a chance for archivists to help our colleagues improve the preservation of the Society’s bound manuscript and rare book collections, including diaries, journals, ledgers and early Maine imprints, while also getting to learn a valuable skill, meet new people, and serve our profession. 

Volunteers will work on-site at MHS to create phase boxes out of recycled materials to house 18th-20th century bound volumes. This work will help supplement ongoing preservation work, stemming from an IMLS conservation grant awarded in 2006. Materials will vary in size and age. Volunteers will learn how to utilize recycled materials to efficiently and economically to create phase boxes and enhance the preservation of a variety of materials. All training and supplies will be provided to volunteers at the start of each shift, and no prior experience creating phase boxes needed. MHS is a short walk from the conference hotel. Snacks will be provided. Interested volunteers will also have the opportunity to go on a tour of MHS before or after their shift. 

Shifts are first come, first serve, and space is limited so sign up now to guarantee a spot*. Sign ups will close Friday, March 4th, OR as soon as all spots are filled**. Once someone signs-up for a shift, the project organizers will email potential volunteers to confirm participation and share further logistical details. 

Help make a difference for a historic Maine repository and we'll see you in Portland!

*You do not have to attend the Spring 2016 Meeting in order to participate in this event.

** The morning shift is now FULL and the rest are short only one or two people.

If you're thinking about joining us in Portland, Maine for the New England Archivists Spring 2016 Meeting, you have until this Sunday night to register at the early-bird rate. The lower rate will be in effect through MIDNIGHT on February 28th. After that the advance rates will kick-in.

The early-bird rates for the NEA workshops also are available only through this Sunday at midnight. Take advantage of the lower rates and sign up for two of our three workshops being offered*  For more information on NEA’s workshops, visit the Spring 2016 Meeting online program. All workshops will be held at Portland’s By the Bay Hotel and Convention Center on March 31, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Register today to ensure your early-bird rates.

ORAL HISTORY WORKSHOP: Interested in starting an oral history project at your institution? Wondering what the best methods are for recording and preserving interviews? Join the experts from the Vermont Folklife Center and register for Oral History: Approaches, Technology, Preservation, and get hands-on experience with the interviewing process. In the afternoon, learn more about the digital preservation of oral history interviews and the best tools to use throughout the oral history project. Register online on the NEA website.

ELECTRONIC RECORDS WORKSHOP: Flexing your born digital muscles? Register for SAA’s [DAS] Arrangement and Description of Electronic Records, Part I #1633. Registration and information for this workshop can be found on SAA’s website.

*Please note: the Archivists and Active Learning Workshop is now sold out.

*NEA Boston Spring 2015 Social Event!*

The NEA Membership Committee invites all NEA members to an upcoming joint social event with Digital Commonwealth. Chat with fellow members, network a bit, and get to know the Digital Commonwealth. All are welcome. NEA purchases snacks, drinks on your own.

Thursday, March 10, 2016
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Audubon Boston Bar and Restaurant
838 Beacon Street | Boston, MA

Mass Transportation:
Nearest MBTA Subway Stops: St. Mary's Street (Green Line C); Fenway (Green Line D)
Nearest MBTA Bus line: 47; CT2

See you on the 10th! 

Looking for a ride to the New England Archivists Spring 2016 Meeting, or willing to share a spot in your car in exchange for fine company (and/or gas money)? We've created an online, self-service carpooling sign-up sheet where you can connect with other members looking to share a ride. 

Just enter your name and contact info, when and from where you're traveling, and whether you're a driver (with a car) or a rider. Then, wait to be contacted by other carpoolers, or go ahead and contact others who list pick-up locations and dates in line with your travel plans.

**Please note that members are entirely responsible for making their own arrangements, including meeting times, sharing the cost of gas, etc., and for following through with their plans.**

ABOUT PARKING AT THE INN BY THE BAY HOTEL:
If you are a registered overnight guest at Inn By the Bay, parking is $10.00 per night. Overnight guests park in the area underneath the hotel. If you are traveling in for the day, the charge to park at Inn By the Bay is $5.00. Daytime guests park in the multi-level lot beside the hotel. Please note that this lot will likely be set up as pay upon entry and CASH only—please come prepared! Spots do not need to be reserved in advance.