Professional Development Scholarships

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) is pleased to announce a development opportunity for students, volunteers, and records professionals.

OHRAB, from funding provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, has allocated $1,200 annually in scholarship aid to support continuing education for graduate students and individuals who care for the historic record. The Board will award scholarships to assist individuals in attending a professional development opportunity of their choosing. The meeting may be in person or virtual.  Applications are due on April 30, 2022.

Funding is available to support attendance at development opportunities offered by such organizations as:

  • The Midwest Archives Conference,
  • The Society of American Archivists,
  • The Society of Ohio Archivists,
  • The Ohio Local History Alliance,
  • The Academic Library Association of Ohio,
  • The Ohio Municipal Clerks Association,
  • The International Institute of Municipal Clerk,
  • The Ohio Township Association,
  • The Ohio Genealogical Society, or
  • Other professional development opportunities subject to approval by OHRAB.

Applicants must be individuals who are full-time (minimum of 9 credits) graduate students currently enrolled in an Ohio institution of higher education; individuals working or volunteering in an Ohio library, archive, special collection, or government repository; individuals who serve as a state, county, municipal, or township official or their designee whose main responsibilities is to maintain public records; and those who work or volunteer in other roles caring for or providing access to records within the State of Ohio.

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

For more details, see the attached description and application.

OHRAB Professional Development Scholarship Description Spring 2022

OHRAB Professional Development Scholarship Application

2022 OHRAB Regrants Opportunity

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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). 

Grant applications are due March 31, 2022.  More information on the grants, including the application packet, is available here.

Projects eligible for funding in 2022 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.
  • Projects focused on under-documented communities and topics, as well as underserved communities, are encouraged.

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

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit draft grant applications for feedback.  Draft applications must be received by February 25 and comments and recommendations on the drafts should not be construed as guaranteeing a grant award.      

**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.

 Questions?  Please contact: Stephen Badenhop, Records and Archives Coordinator, Union County Records Center (937-645-4177; [email protected]).

2021 Archives Achievement Award Recipient

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) is proud to announce that the recipient of the 2021 OHRAB Achievement Award is the Muskingum County Records Center.

In 2019, the Muskingum County Records Center began a partnership with Family Search to preserve the historic records of the Muskingum County Common Pleas Clerk of Courts Office and make the records more accessible. These include the Common Pleas Civil and Criminal files from 1840 to the early 1900s and the Common Pleas Domestic Court files to the late 1980s.  Prior to this project, the records could only be viewed at the Records Center. The lack of an index also hindered access to the documents, which were damaged by inadequate storage conditions.

During the project volunteers contributed over 40,000 hours of their time to unfold, flatten, clean, image, and properly store the original historic documents. Once the records were preserved, the Records Center staff indexed the records, making the original records easily accessible to the public for the first time. Family Search then uploaded the records to its website where the images are now available for free to all researchers.

With this award, OHRAB also honors the memory of Muskingum County Common Pleas Court Clerk of Courts Todd Bickle. Mr. Bickle was a believer in the citizen’s right to access public records. He spearheaded the creation of the Records Center and remained its champion. Mr. Bickle initiated the project with Family Search and his office purchased the materials needed to preserve the historic records. Due to his untimely death, he did not see the project’s completion, but his efforts will continue to benefit all Ohioans.

OHRAB congratulates the staff and volunteers of the Muskingum County Records Center for their accomplishments and wishes them continued success in their efforts to preserve the history of Ohio.

2021 Citizen Archivist Award Recipient

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) is proud to announce that Barbara Matthies of the Clark County Historical Society at the Heritage Center, is the winner of the 2021 OHRAB Citizen Archivist Award.

The OHRAB Citizen Archivist Award honors volunteers in Ohio’s archives who work long hours, unpaid and often unacknowledged, answering reference requests, processing collections, and indexing historic records. This award recognizes a volunteer in an Ohio archives who best exemplifies the dedication and hard work volunteers–our citizen archivists–contribute to Ohio’s archives each day.

Barbara Matthies volunteers at the Clark County Historical Society at the Heritage Center. After many years as a linguistics professor at Iowa State, Barbara returned to the Springfield area to be closer to family and contacted the Clark County Historical Society about volunteering. For nearly a decade she has been scanning the Society’s photograph collections. Thanks to Barbara, the society has gone from having very few photographs scanned to now having most of its enormous photographic collection imaged and indexed. Barbara has donated over 2,000 hours to making the Clark County Historical Society’s photographic collections accessible to staff, volunteers, and the public.

For more information about Barbara and her accomplishments, please see the attached announcement.

OHRAB congratulates Barbara and thanks her for her dedication to the history of Ohio!

Nominations Open for 2021 Archival 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.

Nominating letters should be no longer than two pages, 12-pt, single spaced, describing the institution’s program/project along with its goals, accomplishments, and significance. Each must include the nominee’s institutional name along with a contact person’s name, mailing and email addresses, and phone number.

Send nominations via email or U.S. mail to:

Tina Ratcliff

County Records & Information Manager
Montgomery County Records Center & Archives
117 South Main Street

P.O. Box 972
Dayton, OH 45422
937.496.6932 

[email protected]

Nominations must be received by November 12, 2021.

More information is available here: 2021 OHRAB Achievement Award Announcement

Questions? Contact Tina Ratcliff at [email protected] or 937.496.6932

Celebrate Ohio’s Citizen Archivists!

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board Citizen Archivist Award honors volunteers in Ohio’s archives who work long hours answering reference requests, processing collections, and indexing historic records.  This award recognizes a volunteer in an Ohio archive who best exemplifies the dedication and hard work volunteers—our citizen archivists—contribute to Ohio’s archives each day.  After all that has happened in the past year, we have once again been reminded of all that our volunteers do for us.

All Ohio institutions responsible for archival records that provide free public access to at least a portion of their collections are eligible. Preference will be given to volunteers whose work increases access to archival collections in Ohio.  OHRAB will accept nominations from Ohio archival institutions as well as the general public.  See the attached announcement for nomination details.

Nominations are due September 17, 2021.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Tina Ratcliff, Chair, OHRAB Awards Committee ([email protected]; (937) 496-6932). 

2021 OHRAB Citizen Archivist Award Announcement

Professional Development Scholarships

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) is pleased to announce a development opportunity for students, volunteers and records professionals.

OHRAB, in conjunction with the National Historical Publications and Records Commission has allocated $1,200 annually in scholarship aid to support continuing archival education for graduate students and individuals who care for the historic record. The Board will award scholarships to assist individuals in attending a professional development opportunity of their choosing. The meeting may be in person or virtual.  Applications are due September 30, 2021.

Funding is available to support attendance at development opportunities offered by such organizations as:

  • The Midwest Archives Conference,
  • The Society of American Archivists,
  • The Society of Ohio Archivists,
  • The Ohio Local History Alliance,
  • The Academic Library Association of Ohio,
  • The Ohio Municipal Clerks Association,
  • The International Institute of Municipal Clerk,
  • The Ohio Township Association,
  • The Ohio Genealogical Society, or
  • Other professional development opportunities subject to approval by OHRAB.

Applicants must be individuals who are full-time (minimum of 9 credits) graduate students currently enrolled in an Ohio institution of higher education; individuals working or volunteering in an Ohio library, archive, special collection, or government repository; individuals who serve as a state, county, municipal, or township official or their designee whose main responsibilities is to maintain public records; and those who work or volunteer in other roles caring for or providing access to records within the State of Ohio.

Questions?  Please contact Tina Ratcliff, Montgomery County Records and Information Manager, [email protected]. 

OHRAB Professional Development Scholarship Description Fall 2021

Application – OHRAB Professional Development Scholarship – 2021

2021 Archival Fellowships

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) is pleased to announce that it has received funding as part of its grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to fund a fellowship opportunity for three students to document manumission records in the following counties: Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Hamilton, Highland, Madison, Pike, Scioto and Warren.

This fellowship is an opportunity for graduate students enrolled in public history programs and library science programs at Ohio universities and colleges to gain practical experience while preserving and providing access to historically significant records.  Under the direction of Robin Heise, Greene County Records Manager and Archivist, three fellowship recipients will develop a records survey form; make on-site visits to repositories and consult with local government records managers and archivists; inventory records, noting arrangement, physical condition and accessibility; develop a digital “story map” about the counties surveyed; and prepare interim and final project reports and publicity materials. 

The program will run June 1 to July 30, 2021.  Each participant will spend approximately 100 hours total on the project.  More information is in the attached position description.  The application deadline is May 7, 2021.  Please return the application and a copy of your current resume to [email protected]. For questions please contact [email protected].

OHRAB Archives Fellowship 2021 Position Description

OHRAB Fellowship Application 2021

2021 Professional Development Scholarships

Posted on by

The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) is pleased to announce a development opportunity for students, volunteers and records professionals.

OHRAB, in conjunction with the National Historical Publications and Records Commission has allocated $1,200 annually in scholarship aid to support continuing archival education for graduate students and individuals who care for the historic record. The Board will award scholarships to assist individuals in attending a professional development opportunity of their choosing. The meeting may be in person or virtual.  Applications are due on April 30, 2021.

Funding is available to support attendance at development opportunities offered by such organizations as:

  • The Midwest Archives Conference,
  • The Society of American Archivists,
  • The Society of Ohio Archivists,
  • The Ohio Local History Alliance,
  • The Academic Library Association of Ohio,
  • The Ohio Municipal Clerks Association,
  • The International Institute of Municipal Clerk,
  • The Ohio Township Association,
  • The Ohio Genealogical Society, or
  • Other professional development opportunities subject to approval by OHRAB.

Applicants must be individuals who are full-time (minimum of 9 credits) graduate students currently enrolled in an Ohio institution of higher education; individuals working or volunteering in an Ohio library, archive, special collection, or government repository; individuals who serve as a state, county, municipal, or township official or their designee whose main responsibilities is to maintain public records; and those who work or volunteer in other roles caring for or providing access to records within the State of Ohio.

Questions?  Please contact Tina Ratcliff, Montgomery County Records and Information Manager, [email protected]. 

OHRAB Professional Development Scholarship Description 2021

Application – OHRAB Professional Development Scholarship – 2021

2021 OHRAB Regrants Opportunity

Posted on by

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). 

Grant applications are due March 31, 2021.  More information on the grants, including the application packet, is available here.

Projects eligible for funding in 2021 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.  

Questions? Please contact: Stephen Badenhop, Records and Archives Coordinator, Union County Records Center (937-645-4177; [email protected]).