Author Archives: Fred Previts

Bringing History Home Workshop

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OHRAB, with funding by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and support from Kent State University, is proud to sponsor a FREE, unique, educational, hands-on workshop opportunity.  The Greene County Records Center and Archives is bringing its educational outreach initiative to Kent State University on April 20 and giving you the tools to develop such a program in your archives and records center!

When: April 20, 2018 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM, sign-in begins at 9:30 (A special behind the scenes tour of Kent State University’s Special Collections and Archives will follow the workshop for those interested).

Where: Kent State University Library
Third Floor (Room 332)
1125 Risman Drive
Kent, OH 44242
Please park at Kent State Student Center Visitor’s Lot located on Summit Street

Registration: email [email protected]

Participants attending this workshop will:

  • Gain an understanding of how to develop an educational outreach program;
  • Gain an understanding of the benefits of creating an educational outreach program;
  • Be provided with some tips on how to market your educational outreach program;
  • Actually participate in the 4th, 6th, and 8th grade programs developed by the Greene County Records Center & Archives;
  • Take away an educational outreach packet of materials developed by the Greene County Records Center & Archives.

In 2015, the Greene County Records Center and Archives set about creating a program, using their archival records, to engage students and educators alike as to what the archives were and how the primary sources that they held, such as freedom papers, maps, deeds, tax records and more, could enrich students’ educational experiences, teach research concepts, and bring the state and national issues that they were studying home on a local level.  This program has received the 2016 OHRAB Achievement Award, the 2016 National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators Program Excellence Award and the 2017 Society of Ohio Archivists Merit Award.

Questions? Contact OHRAB at [email protected]

OHRAB Achievement Award Presented to Franklin County Children Services

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Congratulations to Franklin County Children Services for receiving the 2017 OHRAB Achievement Award!  Franklin County Children Services was recognized for its project inventorying and cataloging a large volume of historical records documenting the history of the agency.  This included board meeting minutes, photographs, newspaper clippings, brochures and other documents.  Following this project these records are now preserved and more accessible.

From left, board member Fred Previts with Franklin County Children Services Records Manager Roger Hansen and Director of Data Management Kathleen Dalton.

OHRAB Endorses “Value of History” Statement!

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board has endorsed the History Relevance Campaign’s “Value of History” statement.  Going against the perception that “history is nice, but not essential”, this statement shares the ways that history is crucial for ourselves, our communities and our future.  More information about the History Relevance Campaign is available at https://www.historyrelevance.com/.

 

2018 OHRAB Grant Opportunity for Ohio Repositories

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board announces the availability of grants between $500 and $5,000 to archival institutions to fund projects to preserve and/or provide access to Ohio’s historical records.  The grants are funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), an arm of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).  Projects eligible for funding in 2018 include:

  • Assessment and Strategic Planning: hiring consultants to identify needs and priorities for improving the organization, description, preservation and access to collections.
  • Access, Arrangement and Description: identifying, organizing, and improving access to historical records.
  • Preservation: purchasing archival file folders, archival boxes, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, hygrothermographs, or HEPA vacuum cleaners.
  • Website Development: Adding collections to online catalog, developing virtual archives, or creating an on-line database. Websites designed to support access to researchers (e.g., online catalogs, finding aids, and digitized collections, rather than curated web exhibits) will receive preference in funding.

Please Note: all projects should produce some type of online content, such as a finding aid, report or digital images.  

Grant applications are due February 28, 2018.  More information on the grants, including the application packet, is available here.

**PLEASE NOTE: OHRAB is awaiting formal notification from the NHPRC on the funding for the regrants.  While it is necessary for OHRAB to announce this grant opportunity and begin to receive your proposals, all awards are contingent on OHRAB receiving the funds from the NHPRC.

Young Scholar Visits Wright State: Annabelle in the Archives

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Board member Dawne Dewey has shared the story about a young scholar who visited Wright State University’s Special Collections and Archives this past summer.  Annabelle visited the archives to research Katharine Wright, sister of the Wright Brothers.  The full story is available here on Wright State University’s Special Collections and Archives blog, Out of the Box.

Nominations open for 2017 OHRAB Achievement Award

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board Achievement Award recognizes significant accomplishments in preserving and improving access to historical records, in any format, by an Ohio archival institution.

All Ohio institutions responsible for archival records that provide public access to at least a portion of their collections are eligible. Eligible accomplishments include recent special projects or on-going programs that:

  • build significant collections
  • implement successful preservation strategies
  • enhance access to archives
  • develop effective digitization programs

Preference will be given to projects or programs that can be adapted for use by other institutions.

Because the award recognizes institutional achievements, individuals are not eligible. Departments employing members of OHRAB are not eligible, but other departments in their institutions are eligible.

Deadline October 12, 2017

More information can be found on our Achievement Awards page…

Free OhioERC Workshop-Registration Now Open

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NOTE: REGISTRATION IS FULL AS OF AUGUST 24, 2017

Registration is now open for the Ohio Electronic Record Committee’s 2017 Fall Workshop, To Scan or Not to Scan: That is the Question! This workshop is free to attend, plus a travel stipend for mileage is being sponsored by OHRAB and the NHPRC.

There will be 2 identical sessions on October 6, 9:00-11:30 and 1:00-3:30, for you to choose from. Seating is limited to 50 per session, so register early. https://goo.gl/forms/uhE4KCl8jbX7P1r12

This workshop will investigate the pros and cons of scanning various types of records, as well as demonstrate a new feasibility tool developed by the OhioERC for evaluating records for digitization. Following the presentation, we’ll have 4 session rotations to take a fun, hands-on, small group, deeper dive into uncovering the hidden costs and variables before, during, and after digitizing, as well as utilizing the feasibility tool and touring the Delaware County Records Center and Archives reformatting operations.

This training has been certified for:
• 2 hours toward NAGARA’s Local Government Archives and Records Administrator’s certificate in the core competency of Reformatting
• 1 credit toward the Ohio Recorders Association professional development
• 2.5 certification maintenance credits for CRMs and CRAs through the Institute of Certified Records Managers

Please see this flyer for more details, the agenda, location, and travel stipend information. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

Don’t keep this to yourself! Please pass this on to anyone that you feel would benefit from this workshop.