Advocacy Alert!

OHRAB seeks your help in contacting Congress to support the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).  A division of the National Archives, the NHPRC’s mission is to provide opportunities for the American people to discover and use records that increase understanding of our democracy, history and culture.  This includes opportunities right here in Ohio.  Since 1976, $1.5 million in grant funding has been awarded to 50 projects across the state to establish archival programs, preserve documents and digitize and make accessible records.

The NHPRC also funds OHRAB and its activities.  This includes an annual regrant program that preserves and provides access to Ohio’s historical records.  Since 2011, 73 projects have been funded under this program.  In addition, funding from the NHPRC provided electronic records management training to hundreds of Ohioans, helping to ensure that tomorrow’s records will also be preserved.

What can you do?  If your representative is on the House Appropriations Committee (David Joyce R-14th District, Marcy Kaptur D-9th District and Tim Ryan D-13th District) please share a story about how the NHPRC has benefited your district or Ohio and ask that he or she support the NHPRC’s budget of $6 million.  If your representative is not on the committee, please ask that they contact members of the committee to express support for the NHPRC.  You can find your representative here: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/.  

Sample Script:

Dear [Member of Congress]

I am [emailing/calling/writing/contacting you] on behalf of the [name of organization] to express support for the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.  I led a project for the [name of organization] which received a grant from the NHPRC to [briefly describe project.]  This project has had an important impact on the community and public, specifically [briefly describe impact.]  

Thank you for your consideration.

Governor Kasich Appoints 1 New Board Member

The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) welcomes one new member appointed by Governor Kasich: Tina Ratcliff, County Records and Information Manager, Montgomery County

She will begin her tenure at the May meeting of OHRAB, and will serve until at least the end of March 2020, when she will be eligible for reappointment. Board members may serve a total of three 3-year terms on the Board.

Governor Kasich Appoints 2 New Board Members

The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) welcomes two new members appointed by Governor Kasich:

  • Cindy Hofner, Clerk of Courts for Wood County
  • Russ Pollitt, Genealogy Subject Specialist for the Columbus Metropolitan Library

They will begin their tenure at the May meeting of OHRAB, and will serve until at least the end of March 2019, when they will be eligible for reappointment. Board members may serve a total of three 3-year terms on the Board.

2017 Ohio Archives Grant Program

OHRAB 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) through their State Board Programming Grants. Projects eligible for funding in 2017 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.

Grant applications are due February 28, 2017.  More information on the grants, including the application packet, is available here.

Call for Proposals: Keeping History Alive – Society of Ohio Archivists 2017 Annual Meeting

The 2017 Society of Ohio Archivists’ Annual meeting–Keeping History Alive–will be held Friday, May 19 at the Quest Business and Conference Center, 8405 Pulsar Place, Columbus, OH 43240. Kathleen Williams, Executive Director of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) will be the Plenary Speaker.

Deadline to submit proposals: Monday, January 9, 2017, 5pm.

The SOA 2017 Program Committee seeks a broad array of creative proposals, sessions and posters, related to archival work today and into the future. All proposal topics are welcome.

Possible ideas include, but are not limited to:

  • Tools for archival discovery, maintenance, and/or marketing
  • Outreach and instruction efforts
  • Student, intern, and volunteer experiences and projects
  • Funding for archival projects or archival facilities
  • Unique collection development ventures
  • Preservation, description, and access to analog, born-digital, or hybrid collections

The Program Committee encourages proposals of panel sessions, student and professional posters, as well as alternative formats such as debate, fish bowl, lightning, mini-workshops, pecha kucha, world café, and other session formats that encourage interaction between presenters and attendees.

The Program Committee also encourages proposals from students*, new professionals*, first time presenters and attendees, as well as individuals from related professions, including those from outside of Ohio.

Proposals must include:

  • Session/Poster title and type
  • Abstract of 250 words describing the session/poster and how it will be of interest to SOA attendees
  • Description of 150 words for the printed program
  • Main contact’s information and any other participants
  • A/V or technology requirements
  • Any additional special needs

Please complete the proposal form by Monday, January 9, 2017, 5pm at https://goo.gl/forms/XDyBD72rhRlraMg73

More meeting details will appear as they develop at http://www.ohioarchivists.org/annual_conference/

Questions? Please contact:

Janet Carleton ([email protected]) or Collette McDonough ([email protected])

Cochairs, Society of Ohio Archivists Educational Programming Committee

http://www.ohioarchivists.org/educational-programming/


*Separate from the Call for Proposals, SOA is pleased to announce four scholarships available to students (2 awards), and new archival professionals (2 awards) with three years or less experience in the workplace to attend the annual meeting.

The scholarship consists of conference registration (including lunch), a one-year membership to SOA, and a $100 travel stipend. Awardees are required to write about their experience for publication in the Ohio Archivist newsletter.

Applications should include the following information:

  •    Applicant’s name, mailing and e-mail address;
  •    Students should list their school’s name and academic program;
  •    New professionals should list their employer and number of years working within the field;
  •    Description about how the meeting will benefit the applicant professionally;
  •    Brief description of the applicant’s scholarship and contribution to archives. This will be taken into consideration along with the applicant’s number of years in the field or academic study;
  •    Statement of the applicant’s need for financial support to attend the conference;
  •    Applications are due by February 15, 2017.

Applications and inquiries can be sent via e-mail or mail to: Devhra BennettJones, [email protected], Lloyd Library, 917 Plum St, Cincinnati, OH 45202.

OHRAB 2016 Achievement Award presented to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives

OHRAB 2016 Achievement Award presented to Greene County Records Center and Archives

Representatives of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives receive one of two 2016 Achievement Awards from the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB). Pictured are Director of Archives Jennie Thomas; Senior Director of Library and Archives Andy Leach; and OHRAB Board Member Meghan Hays (Shaker Heights Public Library).

OHRAB 2016 Achievement Award presented to Greene County Records Center and Archives

Presentation of 2016 OHRAB Achievement Award to Greene County Records Center adn Archives

Representatives of Greene County receive one of the two 2016 Achievement Awards from the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB). Pictured are Commissioner Bob Glaser, Public Outreach Coordinator Elise Kelly, Archival Assistant Joan Donovan, OHRAB Board Member Galen Wilson (National Archives), Records Manager & Archivist Robin Heise (holding plaque), Commissioner Tom Koogler, OHRAB Board Member Dawne Dewey (Wright State University, Special Collections & Archives), Graduate Intern Erix Infante (Wright State University – Public History), Commissioner Alan Anderson.

Celebrate Archives Month by Honoring the Accomplishments of an Ohio Archival Institution

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.

Read the OHRAB Achievement Award flyer for more information.

Send nominations via email or U.S. mail by October 7, 2016 to:

Pari Swift

Senior Records Manager

Ohio Attorney General’s Office, 23rd Floor

30 East Broad Street

Columbus, OH 43215

[email protected]

June 2016 Ohio Archives Grant Opportunity

The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) is pleased to announce a second grant opportunity for this year. This grant funding is provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), a division of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). These grants are for $500 up to $4,500 and may be used by archival institutions to increase online access to Ohio’s historical records.  Proposals must be received by June 30, 2016.  Awards will be announced July 11 , 2016 and projects must be completed by December 31, 2016. Full details of this grant opportunity and the application packet are available at OHRAB’s website at https://ohrab.org/grants/regrant/.

  • Eligible institutions may be public or private that provide public access to archival collections without charging a fee.
  • Any size institution may apply, but preference will be given to institutions with permanently valuable archival materials of 500 cubic feet or fewer.
  • Eligible projects may include those involving physical access, arrangement and description; preservation (including storage materials); and cataloging.  However, projects must include producing some type of online content, such as a finding aid or digital images.
  • Eligible expenses include supplies and storage materials, technical equipment, and contracted services.