News & EVENTS

Votes have been counted and the election results are in! Please join the 2015 Nominating Committee in congratulating the winners:

Vice-President/President-elect (2015): Jennifer Gunter King 

Treasurer (2015-2017): Juliana Kuipers 

Representative-at-Large (2015-2018): Jessica Sedgwick

For more information on the winners, please go to: http://www.newenglandarchivists.org/Election-2015. And NEA sends a big thank you to all those who volunteered to run this year.

The NEA Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Clutterbuck-Cook as NEA's first Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator. Her term will run for a three-year period, beginning November 2014 and ending November 2017.

Anna, a member of NEA since 2007, currently serves as the Reference Librarian at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Born and raised in Michigan, Anna earned her B.A. in Women’s Studies and History from Hope College (Holland, Mich.) before moving to Boston in 2007 to pursue her M.A. (History) and M.L.S. (Archives Management) at Simmons College. In 2013, she and her wife, Hanna Clutterbuck-Cook, co-founded the LGBTQ Issues Roundtable (http://neaqrt.wordpress.com/).

Anna is “excited to be serving as Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator for NEA. This new position on the Board is an opportunity to bring my scholarly and political interest in social justice work to bear within my own professional community,” she says. “We come to our work as archivists from a wide variety of backgrounds, have varied careers, face unique personal and professional challenges -- and yet all of us are members of this profession and deserve the institutional and community support of our colleagues within NEA.”

In Anna’s view, one of the responsibilities of an Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator is “to offer hospitality and resources to those who may otherwise feel unwelcome. As much as possible, NEA should remove the burden of making requests for accessibility and inclusion off the shoulders of those who face historical or structural discrimination. Within the organization, I will work to hold leadership accountable to our expressed commitment to diversity and inclusion by raising questions, seeking out resources, and offering immediate and long-term suggestions for change. The process of becoming a welcoming and inclusive organization is continual, and my hope is to establish a durable framework for meeting the needs of NEA’s diverse constituency for years to come.”

 NEA's diversity initiative began in 2010 with the adoption of a new member-approved strategic plan. In 2011, the Board formed a Diversity Task Force, co-chaired by Karen Adler Abramson (of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library) and Michelle Gachette (of Harvard University Archives). In the final report, submitted to the NEA Board in 2013, the Diversity Task Force recommended that NEA establish a sustainable inclusion and diversity program. After the official statement was adopted in early 2014 (http://newenglandarchivists.org/diversity), the search began for an Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator.

 Over the next few months Anna will actively seek out individuals and groups within NEA to listen to their ideas and thoughts on inclusion and diversity in our region. She encourages people to contact her through her email (acook@masshist.org), through Twitter (@feministlib), or through her blog, The Feminist Librarian.

NEA is excited to have Anna on board to help lead NEA toward becoming a more inclusive and diverse organization.

INTRODUCING STORIFY

By continuing to build our presence online through social media, NEA is able to provide another venue for archivists to gather and share ideas. During meetings and events we encourage conversations on Twitter and Facebook to bring in a wider audience.
But what happens when the event is over? What is the point of all these online conversations?

For the Fall 2014 Meeting, Elise Dunham, CommComm's social media coordinator, curated a Storify page that tells the narrative of our online social media conversations surrounding the symposium. She created a structure for the story and added annotations -- reconstructing the narrative of the Fall 2014 Meeting.

Our story starts: "Attendees embarked from all over New England the morning of November 1 to convene in Newport, RI, for a rainy day in the City by the Sea..."

We invite you to read the NEA Fall 2014 ​Storify page.

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​...AND A QUESTION FOR MEMBERS

Since attendance was low for the Fall 2014 Meeting, we would like anyone who did NOT attend the symposium to answer a one-question survey telling us your reason why.

Answers are anonymous and there is room to add comments​, ​if you wish.

Thank you so much for your help.

New England Archivists Communications Committee

The application period for the Archival Advocacy Award is now open. Do you know a person or institution who provides extraordinary support of New England archival programs? Consider nominating them for the Archival Advocacy Award!

Eligibility:

The award may be given to any individual outside of the archival profession, or any institution other than libraries or archives. In selecting those who will receive the award, special weight will be given to support that has had a broad long-term effect and may include, but are not

restricted to the following types of support:

• sponsorship of successful political initiatives which have directly aided archives;

• financial support of important archival programs;

• increasing public awareness and support for archival issues.

Submitting Nominations:

1. Nominations must be submitted to the Awards Committee by December 1, 2014.

2. Nominations may be submitted electronically or on paper.

3. Candidates may be nominated by more than one person.

4. A nomination must include a letter detailing why the nominator feels the

candidate or institution deserves the NEA AAA. Additional materials including, but not

limited to a curriculum vitae (resume), publications, work products, course

outlines and evaluations, may be submitted but are not required.

5. Nominations may be resubmitted if not voted upon favorably by the AAA

Committee.

For more information on the AAA, please go to:

http://newenglandarchivists.org/awards/advocacy

The deadline to apply is December 1, 2014.

Please send nominations and supporting documentation to the Interim Chair:

rpgartner@gmail.com

Or

NEA Archival Advocacy Award Committee

c/o Rosalie Gartner

Emerson College

120 Boylston St.

Boston, MA 02116-4324

NEA grants the New England Archivists Distinguished Service Award (DSA) to individuals or institutions who are dedicated to the promotion of NEA objectives and who have made significant contributions to the profession, their institution, NEA and/or the archival community in New England. The award shall reflect the total experience of the awardee(s) and is based upon knowledge, leadership, participation and achievements in the profession.

Eligibility:

In selecting those who will receive the award, special weight will be given to archival activities that have had a broad long-term effect. The candidate's contributions will be measured by their broad distribution across all categories and/or an exceptional contribution in one particular area.

• A recipient need not currently be an NEA member but must be or have been active in the New England region for a significant portion of his/her career.

• Current voting members of the Executive Board and individuals who have previously received the award are not eligible.

• An employee or member of an institution that received an institutional award may be awarded an individual Distinguished Service Award.

Submitting Nominations:

1. Nominations must be submitted by December 1, 2014. Nominations and supporting materials may be submitted electronically or on paper.

3. Candidates may be nominated by more than one person.

4. A nomination must include a letter detailing why the nominator feels the candidate deserves the NEA DSA. Additional materials including, but not limited to a curriculum vitae (resume), publications, work products, course outlines and evaluations, may be submitted but are not required.

For more information on the DSA, please go to: http://newenglandarchivists.org/awards/service

The deadline to apply is December 1, 2014.

Please send nominations and supporting documentation to the Interim Chair:

rpgartner@gmail.com

Or

NEA Distinguished Service Award Committee

c/o Rosalie Gartner

Emerson College

120 Boylston St.

Boston, MA 02116-4324

The deadline to register for the half-day workshop, “Being Resourceful: DIY Supports & Enclosures,” with bookbinder and conservator, Erica Saladino has been extended to Wednesday November 12th. Please follow the link provided to find more information and to register for this workshop: http://www.newenglandarchivists.org/event-1754632.

The Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies (JCAS) just announced the publication of their first article. The article, entitled, “A Genealogy of the Lesbian Herstory Archives, 1974-2014” by Rachel F. Corbman is available for download on the main JCAS website: http://elischolar.library.yale.edu/jcas/vol1/iss1/1/.  Molly Dotson served as editor for this submission and Marlyn Miller was copy editor.

Abstract
This paper traces the collection development of the Lesbian Herstory Archives, a community based repository founded in 1974. I argue that the collection grew organically as a reflection of a dialogue between an evolving cohort of volunteer archivists and a community of donors. Primarily focusing on the first five years, this paper pinpoints key early decisions made by volunteer archivists. Specifically, I examine the Archives’ early collecting priorities and the introduction of the special collections in 1978. These decisions, I argue, laid the foundation for the Lesbian Herstory Archives and continue to shape it today, forty years later.

Recommended Citation
Corbman, Rachel F. (2014) "A Genealogy of the Lesbian Herstory Archives, 1974-2014," Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies: Vol. 1, Article 1. Available at: http://elischolar.library.yale.edu/jcas/vol1/iss1/1

Want to get involved with NEA? Now is your chance! NEA is looking for members to work on a variety of ongoing and upcoming projects.

1. TASK FORCE ON STRATEGIC PLANNING
NEA is writing a new strategic plan for 2015-2020, and we want your input. Volunteer as a member of the Strategic Planning Task Force and help: 
     -- write and review NEA's vision and mission statements
 
     -- identify values, goals, and strategies using feedback from the Membership Survey

This is your opportunity to help shape the future of NEA. To volunteer for this one-year Task Force (October 2014-September 2015), contact NEA President Jill Snyder at jillannsnyder@gmail.com

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2. NEW POSITION: INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY COORDINATOR
As part of our commitment to making inclusion and diversity part of our core values in achieving our mission, NEA recently adopted a Diversity Statement. Our next step is to choose an Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator to help take us even further in defining a vision for what inclusion and diversity mean for NEA and identifying ways to build an inclusive and diverse organization. For more details about the terms of office and other duties, see the full position description online at http://bit.ly/1n2BjC4.

To apply, please submit a statement that details your
     -- strong commitment to inclusion and diversity;
     -- understanding of collaboration and public outreach; and
     -- relevant experience both in and outside the workplace.

All interested candidates will be reviewed by the NEA Executive Board. Please submit your application to NEA President Jill Snyder at: jillannsnyder@gmail.com

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3. AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE
The NEA Representatives-at-Large seek two NEA members serve on the Awards and Scholarship Committee to help review applications for the following:     
     -- Hale Professional Development Award
     -- Haas Records Management Award
     -- A/V Professional Development Award
     -- NEA member and student meeting scholarships
Applications will be accepted starting in early December, and winners will be chosen by February. For more information on NEA awards and scholarships, see: http://newenglandarchivists.org/awards

To volunteer for this committee, contact NEA Rep-at-Large Erica Boudreau at ericacathryn@gmail.com

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4. ARCHIVAL ADVOCACY AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD COMMITTEE
NEA seeks two members to serve on the Archival Advocacy Award and Distinguished Service Award Committee, overseen by Immediate Past President Alyssa Pacy. Committee members will solicit and review nominations. Nominations for both awards will begin in early November and recipients will be chosen by February. For more information on the Archival Advocacy Award, see: http://newenglandarchivists.org/awards/advocacy. For the Distinguished Service Award, see: http://newenglandarchivists.org/awards/service.   

If you are interested in serving on this committee, contact Jill Snyder at jillannsnyder@gmail.com

INTERESTED IN SEEING BEHIND THE CLOSED DOORS OF SOME OF BOSTON'S MOST FASCINATING ARCHIVES THIS SPRING?

For the upcoming Spring 2015 MARAC/NEA Meeting in Boston, we've been arranging a lot of interesting events and tours for attendees. And the Local Arrangements Committee has gotten an outpouring of archival repositories willing to open their stacks for a tour.

Cast your vote in this quick survey to help us determine which Boston-area repository you'd like most to visit.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NEAMARACTOURS

NEA congratulates Elizabeth McGorty as the winner of a free registration to the 2014 Fall Symposium in Providence RI for taking our 2014 Membership Survey. Thank you Elizabeth for taking the time to fill out the survey and we'll see you in November!