2020 Archives Achievement Award Recipients

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) is proud to announce that the recipients of the 2020 OHRAB Achievement Award are the Clark County Historical Society and the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.

In 2019, the Clark County Historical Society confronted every archivist’s worst fear:  an overhead water pipe that bursts in the middle of the night.  The pipe burst severely damaged the ceiling over the archives and genealogy library.  Staff and volunteers worked courageously to save the collections.  By acting quickly, the Society saved the entire collection.  Following this experience, the Society’s staff has reached out to other institutions and professionals to teach the value of disaster planning and preparedness, using themselves as an example of how quick thinking and preparation can save an archive from disaster.  OHRAB honors the Clark County Historical Society for their fortitude in saving the Society’s collections and for their resulting commitment to teaching others about the necessity of disaster planning and preparedness.

The Toledo Lucas County Public Library possesses an enormous collection of architectural records.  For decades, the staff of the Local History and Genealogy department have worked to organize and preserve the records donated to the library by local architecture and engineering firms.  The records, which includes hundreds of thousands of drawings, pertain not only to buildings in Toledo but also to buildings in the entire Midwest.  To make the records more accessible, the library has created the Architecture of Northwest Ohio, a digital library that allows researchers to search and browse images from the collection.  This website gives researchers an unrivaled view into the architectural past of the Midwest.  OHRAB applauds the Toledo Lucas County Public Library for their continuing efforts to preserve their vast architectural records collection and to make it accessible to all through the Architecture of Northwest Ohio digital library.

2020 Citizen Archivist Award Recipient

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The Ohio Historical Advisory Board (OHRAB) is proud to announce that Leslie Korenko of Kelleys Island, Ohio, is the winner of the 2020 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 archive who best exemplifies the dedication and hard work volunteers–our citizen archivists–contribute to Ohio’s archives each day.

Leslie Korenko volunteers at the Kelleys Island Historical Association. She has donated her time to help the Association with every aspect of the its operation. Leslie organized the Association’s archives to make the collection accessible to the public. She transcribed the island’s township and city council minutes from the 1800s and posted them online.  She scanned and uploaded Kelleys Island newspapers to the Associations’ website, allowing readers to delve into the daily life of the island. Leslie reinvigorated the Association’s website and social media presence, creating content and posting videos and blogs about the island’s history.  In addition, she made the history of Kelleys Island come alive by creating a new layout for the Association’s museum and updating its displays. Leslie has done all of this and more while volunteering for the Association.

Chris Carrig, President of the Kelleys Island Historical Association, says this of Leslie: “She has become our go-to person for everything and she does it all with a smile.”

Please join OHRAB in celebrating the accomplishments of Leslie Korenko and her contributions to the history of Ohio. We applaud the dedication, talent and love that she and her fellow volunteers bring to Ohio’s archives each day!

Nominations Open for 2020 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 October 9, 2020.

Self-nominations are encouraged.

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

OHRAB 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.

Due to COVID-19, we are expanding the scholarship to include virtual meetings and webinars.  The scholarship is available to those who have already paid for their registration to late-summer meetings or conferences, such as the Society of American Archivist’s annual meeting.

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
  • 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.

For more details, see the attached description and application.

Applications are due September 30 and should be submitted to:

Tina Ratcliff

Montgomery County Records Center & Archives

117 South Main Street,

6th Floor

Dayton, OH, 45422

Or by email to [email protected]

If you have any questions, please contact Tina Ratcliff ([email protected]).

OHRAB Citizen Archivist Award

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board is pleased to announce the creation of a new award, the OHRAB Ohio Citizen Archivist Award.  This award honors volunteers in Ohio’s archives who work long hours answering reference requests, processing collections and indexing historic records.  In these hard times, we are proud to acknowledge those who give their time to our archives so freely and with such joy. 

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.

Nominating letters should be no longer than two pages, 12-pt, single spaced, describing the accomplishments and dedication of the volunteer. Each must include the nominee’s name along with a contact person’s name, mailing and email addresses, and phone number.

Nominations are due September 1, 2020 and should be sent to Tina Ratcliff, Montgomery County Records & Information Manager ([email protected]). More information on the award is available here.

2020 OHRAB Regrants Application Deadline Extended to April 30

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Due to COVID-19, the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board has extended its grant application deadline to April 30.  The grants are for archival institutions to preserve and/or provide access to Ohio’s historical records and are between $500 and $5,000.  The grants are funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), an arm of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). 

More information on the grants, including the application packet, is available here.

Projects eligible for funding in 2020 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:

Ron Davidson

Special Collections Librarian

Sandusky Library

419.625.3834 

[email protected]

2020 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 28, 2020.  More information on the grants, including the application packet, is available here.

Projects eligible for funding in 2020 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:

Ron Davidson

Special Collections Librarian

Sandusky Library

419.625.3834 

[email protected]

New Social Media Training Now Available!

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The Ohio Electronic Records Committee (OhioERC) is proud to announce the release of its first interactive, online training module!  The module, Social Media: The Records Management Challenge, delves into topics such as:

  • Government use of social media – through both public and personal accounts
  • Capture, management and disposition factors of records created on social media
  • Citizen interaction with government through social media

This free training is geared toward governments that have social media accounts as well as elected officials and public employees who may find themselves balancing a personal social media presence with their public roles.

The training registration can be found at http://go.osu.edu/ohioerc-socialmedia. After registering, you will be taken to BuckeyeLearn to access the training.  The training will take approximately 30 to 45 minutes.  Upon completion of the training, you will be able to print a certificate of completion from BuckeyeLearn.

Grant funding from the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB), through the National Historical Publication and Records Commission (NHPRC), has provided for up to 2000 unique registrations.  Since the number is limited, act fast to take this online training!

Please share this exciting opportunity with others that you feel would benefit from the training.

Professional Development Scholarships

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) is pleased to announce a new 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 up to four $300 scholarships to assist individuals in attending a professional development opportunity of their choosing. More information, including the application form, is available here.

2019 OHRAB Achievement Award Recipients

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The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board is pleased to announce that the winners of the 2019 OHRAB Achievement Award are the City of Westlake Council Office and the Lakewood Historical Society.

In 2010, the Clerk of Council of the City of Westlake, Denise Rosenbaum, began to scan the city’s meeting minutes and legislation dating back over one hundred years.  She painstakingly indexed the city’s records and made them accessible through the city’s website.  Once the council’s records were completed in 2017, the Clerk collaborated with the Western Reserve Historical Society and the Cleveland Public Library to scan the nineteenth-century records of Dover Township, from which Westlake originated, also making them available on the city’s website. The Clerk rehoused the city’s records in custom-made archival boxes and stored them in a climate-controlled library in the Council office where they open to the public.  OHRAB honors the Clerk of Council of the City of Westlake, Denise Rosenbaum, for her dedication to preserving the history and records of the City of Westlake and making them available to its citizens and future generations.

In 2019, the Lakewood Historical Society opened the Haber Family Center for History.  Since 1952, the archival collections of the historical society were stored in a stone house built in 1834.  In the 1970s, a basement was added to this building and the society’s collections were moved there.  Over time, the basement began to flood due to problems with the sewer drain system.  After a flood in 2014, the Society’s Board of Directors began searching for an improved storage facility. This building, the Haber Family Center for History, gives the Society, for the first time in its history, a secure, controlled environment to store its archival collections while giving its patrons an accessible area to conduct research.  OHRAB applauds the Lakewood Historical Society for the creation of the Haber Family Center for History, where the Society’s archival collections are now preserved and accessible to all.