News & EVENTS

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. 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."

Patron: “Do you have any books on vampires?”
Me: “This is the Southern History Department. I can see what they have in other departments.”
Patron [after a pause] “Do you have any history books on Southern Vampires?” *

Funny things can happen when working in an archives... or weird, wonderful, 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 ground rules 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, a winner announced, and a PRIZE will be given. Submit an outline of your story to be considered eligible for the NEA competition.

Questions? Contact Matt Spry (sprymatt@gmail.com) for more information.

* Story from “I work at a public library” blog [http://iworkatapubliclibrary.com/]

All NEA members are invited to attend. Further details and agenda forthcoming. 

NEA BUSINESS MEETING
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Location: By the Bay Conference Center
88 Spring St, Portland, ME 04101

This is a reminder that the New England Archivists is still accepting nominations for our top two awards:

ARCHIVAL ADVOCACY AWARD
If you know a colleague outside the field of archives who has dedicated themselves to helping archivists and archives in New England, consider nominating them for an Archival Advocacy Award. See the NEA website for criteria for eligibility and more details.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
If you know a colleague who has been a leader, promoting and furthering the objectives of NEA, consider nominating them for a Distinguished Service Award. See the NEA website for criteria for eligibility and more details.

Nominations for both awards must be submitted by February 16, 2016. Please send nominations and supporting documentation to Jill Snyder, Immediate Past President jillannsnyder@gmail.com

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 early 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.

New England Archivists is pleased to present the Strategic Plan 2016-2020, which provides the blueprint for NEA’s efforts and growth for the next five years.  The new strategic plan builds on the success of the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan, gaining momentum from that plan’s many achievements and continuing its work on key initiatives. The Strategic Plan for 2016-2020 identifies how NEA will move forward in the areas of advocacy and outreach, community, development, education, and inclusion and diversity. We hope you will explore the new strategic plan and participate in these brand-new NEA initiatives.

NEA 2016-2020 Strategic Plan (pdf)
Appendix A: Timeline (pdf)
Appendix B: Committee (pdf)

Thank you to the membership for being engaged in the process and providing input along the way.  Thank you to the Strategic Plan Task Force (SPTF) and the Board for synthesizing ideas and writing the plan.  SPTF Members include:

All are invited to register to receive early bird rates on the​ New England Archivists pre-conference workshops in Portland Maine on March 31st.​ Learn valuable skills and network with your colleagues in one of two exciting NEA workshops being offered.

Archivists & Active Learning​ Workshop​

Looking to do more with your collections? Hoping to engage students and educators with primary sources? Register for Archivists & Active Learning: Fostering Student Engagement and Learning Opportunities in Archives. During this workshop you will discuss innovative ways for engaging students across grade levels while forming collaborative relationships with educational institutions. Participants will leave this workshop with a lesson plan based on their archival collections along with methods of implementation. To register, visit http://www.newenglandarchivists.org/event-2121869.

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. To register, visit http://www.newenglandarchivists.org/event-2119962.

Arrangement and Description of Electronic Records​ [DAS] Workshop​

We’re also offering 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 at http://saa.archivists.org/events/arrangement-and-description-of-electronic-records-part-i-1633/636/.

For more information on NEA’s workshops, visit ​the NEA website​. All workshops will be held at By the Bay Hotel and Convention Center in Portland, Maine ​on March 31, 2016, from 9:00 a.m.- 5​:00 ​p.m. Call to reserve a room at the NEA special rate ($125/night): 800-345-5050 (reference the NEA Meeting).​ ​Register today to ensure your early bird rates. 

For any questions, contact NEA chair of the Education Committee, Stephanie Call (stephanie.call@ajhsboston.org).

For more information about the New England Archivists Spring 2016 Meeting (March 31-April 2), visit the NEA website.

See you in Portland!​

Apply for one of New England Archivists' three awards to help members in their professional development and activities:

Richard W. Hale, Jr. Professional Development Award

The Richard W. Hale Award is given annually by NEA to promote the professional development of archivists in the region. Individual members of NEA are invited to apply for the award. For more information on the award and submitting an application, go to: newenglandarchivists.org/awards/hale 

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to Jessica Sedgwick (jmsedg@gmail.com), Hale Award Committee Chair, by February 15, 2016.

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Richard L. Haas Records Management Award

The Richard L. Haas Records Management Award is given annually by NEA in support of a project that promotes increased cooperation, understanding, and knowledge between the archival and records management professions. Applicants need not be a member of NEA to receive this award. For more information on the award and submitting an application, go to: newenglandarchivists.org/awards/haas 

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to Silvia Mejia (silvia.mejia@gmail.com), Haas Award Committee Chair, by February 15, 2016.

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Audio/Visual Professional Development Award

The A/V Professional Development Award is given annually by NEA to promote the professional development of members in the areas of moving image, recorded sound, and time-based media. Individual members of NEA are invited to apply for the award. For more information on the award and submitting an application, go to: newenglandarchivists.org/av_award 

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to Erica Boudreau (ericacathryn@gmail.com), AV Professional Development Award Committee Chair, by February 15, 2016.

The New England Archivists are looking for nominations for two awards:

ARCHIVAL ADVOCACY AWARD

If you know a colleague outside the field of archives who has dedicated themselves to helping archivists and archives in New England, consider nominating them for an Archival Advocacy Award. See the NEA website for criteria for eligibility and more details.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
If you know a colleague who has been a leader, promoting and furthering the objectives of NEA, consider nominating them for a Distinguished Service Award. See the NEA website for criteria for eligibility and more details.

Nominations for both awards must be submitted by February 16, 2016. Please send nominations and supporting documentation to Jill Snyder, Immediate Past President jillannsnyder@gmail.com

ATTEND THE SPRING 2016 MEETING WITH A NEA SCHOLARSHIP

NEA offers two different scholarships to help support NEA members attending the annual spring meetings. The Meeting and Travel Scholarship (for non-student members only) and the Susan J. Von Salis Student Meeting and Travel Scholarship (for student members only) include registration (at the appropriate early-bird rate) and up to $300 towards travel and hotel expenses.

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to Abigail Cramer (abigail.cramer@gmail.com), Meeting and Travel Scholarships Committee Chair, by the end of TODAY, January 15th.

ABOUT SPRING 2016

This year's meeting, Uncharted Waters, will push the envelope trying out new programs and new ideas. There will be a Day of Service at the Maine Historical Society, plenary speakers Wes Cowan and Caleb Neelan, a new-member breakfast, and plenty of opportunities for networking. Or experience something different by participating in the very first archives StorySLAM, Moths in the Archives: Stories from the Stacks or NEA’s own Home Movie Day. 

NEA has reserved a block of rooms at The Inn By the Bay Hotel and Convention Center in Portland, ME. The hotel includes an indoor pool and sauna, fitness center, and an onsite restaurant and lounge, and is just a short walk from the lively Old Port area of the city. Call to reserve a room at the NEA special rate ($125/night): 800-345-5050 (reference the NEA Meeting).

And if you live in the Boston or New Hampshire area, check out the Amtrak Downeaster which runs daily between Boston and Portland to help calculate travel costs.

SPRING 2016 KEY DATES:
1/11 -- Early-bird registration opens
1/15 -- TODAY Deadline for applications for the meeting and travel scholarships
2/20 -- Deadline for submissions to Spring 2016 Home Movie Day and StorySLAM events
2/28 -- Early-bird registration ends
2/29 -- Advanced registration begins
3/01 -- Hotel CUT-OFF for special NEA reservation prices
3/25 -- Advanced registration ends
3/31 -- Onsite registration available

Be part of things in Portland. Apply to one of the NEA meeting and travel scholarships.