Midwest Archives Conference – Grant Writing: An Introduction For Archives and Heritage Agencies

Grant Writing: An Introduction For Archives and Heritage Agencies
Berry Room, Nutter Center; 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

The Midwest Archives Conference in partnership with Special Collections and Archives, Wright State University Libraries Presents, Grant Writing: An Introduction For Archives and Heritage Agencies.

The ability to secure external funding from granting agencies can support strategic initiatives for your organization. Writing successful funding applications isn’t a secret art genetically born into a few elite professionals, but a simple and direct process of describing problems, identifying solutions, and requesting funding to achieve measurable goals. This workshop will provide an introduction to the grant writing process. Participants will receive a broad overview of approaches to aligning grant writing to strategic goals; review a variety of external funding sources for archival and history-based initiatives; become familiar with the basic structure of grant applications; understand the mechanics of the application, review, and selection processes at different funding agencies; discuss important “dos and don’ts” for successful applications; outline the critical post-award work of running and closing funded projects; and understand how to solicit feedback on failed applications to make improvements and reapply. Participants will be invited to identify a current problem at their institution which could be resolved through funding from an external agency. Breakout groups and exercises will allow participants to structure a potential funding request around this problem.

Presenter: Erik Nordberg, Director of the Walter Reuther Library, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.

This workshop is FREE, but a reservation is required. Space is limited! Register online or by calling (937) 775-2092.

A Presentation of the MAC Speakers Bureau Basic Workshop Series Sponsored by Battelle

Free Parking is Available in Lot 1 near the Berry Room Entrance, see map and directions for more information.

2016 Ohio Archives Grant Program

The Ohio Archives Grants (between $500 and $2,000) 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 2016 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. (See “Museum Materials” in Ineligible Expenses below.)

Proposals must be received by February 29, 2016. Awards will be announced March 25, and projects must be completed by December 31, 2016.

Get the application, budget form and support materials…

OHRAB 2015 Achievement Award presented to Delaware County Records Center

Delaware County Records Center Coordinator Christine Shaw (holding plaque) and her staff received the 2015 Achievement Award from the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board during the county commission meeting on November 16, 2015. Pictured from left to right, County Prosecutor Carol O'Brien, Commissioner Gary Merrell, Records Technician Alison Miller, Records Technician Megan Henry, Commissioner Jeff Benton, Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board member Pari Swift, Commissioner Barb Lewis, Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board member Stephen Badenhop, Records Technician Sharrie Doubikin and County Auditor George Kaitsa.

Delaware County Records Center Coordinator Christine Shaw (holding plaque) and her staff received the 2015 Achievement Award from the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board during the county commission meeting on November 16, 2015. Pictured from left to right, County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien, Commissioner Gary Merrell, Records Technician Alison Miller, Records Technician Megan Henry, Commissioner Jeff Benton, Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board member Pari Swift, Commissioner Barb Lewis, Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board member Stephen Badenhop, Records Technician Sharrie Doubikin and County Auditor George Kaitsa.

OHRAB Achievement Award 2016

The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board proudly recognizes two institutions this year:

The Delaware County Records Center:, for its devotion to the care, preservation, and accessibility of county records through continual modernization of processes and dedication to providing convenient public access to the records in its care.

The Kelleys Island Historical Association: for its efforts in implementing archival accession, processing, and cataloging procedures; increasing the accessibility of its collections through the creation and publishing of its inventory; and fostering research through new initiatives.

More information…

OhioERC/OHRAB/NHPRC Workshop: Your Seat at the Purchasing Table: A Records Management Point of View

Are you considering purchasing a records management system? Do you have questions about the procurement process from a records management perspective? If so, the Ohio Electronic Records Committee (OhioERC.org) in collaboration with OHRAB and funding by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission (NHPRC) encourages you to consider attending a FREE half-day seminar this fall. Seminar Flyer

October 28, 2015 @ State Library of Ohio 274 E. First Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201

AM Session: 8:30-11:45 a.m.

PM Session: 12:00-3:15 p.m.

Cost: FREE!

Registration is required for this event @: http://bit.ly/RegisterOhioERC2015Seminar

AM PM
8:30 Registration 12:00
9:00 Records considerations during procurement
This session will provide an overview of the procurement process, including how to ensure recordkeeping concerns are dealt with during the process.Daniel Noonan, e-Records/Digital Resources Archivist, The Ohio State University
12:30
10:00 Break 1:30
10:15 Case study: Ohio Attorney General’s (OAG) Office
Over the past four years, OAG has been implementing a document and records management system to bring order, collaboration and compliance to the office’s records. This session will focus on lessons learned from drafting the RFP, scoring proposals, interviewing vendors, the multi-year design and implementation process, and the interaction between information technology, vendors, records management, legal, and the business units.Pari Swift, Senior Records Manager and Nathan Owens, Records Analyst, Ohio Attorney General’s Office
1:45
11:45 Adjourn 3:15

2015 OHRAB Achievement Award Nominations

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

2015 OHRAB ReGrant Awardees

The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board (OHRAB) recently announced the recipients of the 2015 OHRAB Regrant funds. Eleven Ohio institutions were awarded partial or full funding to support archival historic preservation projects. Grant dollar awards ranged from $534 to $2000.

OHRAB’s regrant funding program is supported by funds obtained from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). Through OHRAB’s regrant application process, funding is provided to institutions and local groups to assist in preservation of archives and historic collections.

Below are the 2015 Regrant Award Recipients:

  • Delaware County Historical Society, Delaware, OH
  • Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Congregational Archives, Cincinnati, OH
  • Huron Historical Society, Huron, OH
  • Kent State University Libraries, Kent, OH
  • Lakeside Heritage Society, Lakeside, OH
  • Marion County Historical Society, Marion, OH
  • Milan-Berlin Library District, Milan, OH
  • Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, OH
  • Rodman Public Library, Alliance, OH
  • Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens, Akron, OH
  • County of Summit Records Center, Akron, OH

More information on the projects and the regrants program can be found on our Ohio Archives Grant Program page.

2014 OHRAB Achievement Award presented to Greene County Archives

OHRAB 2014 Achievement Award to Greene Co Archives December 16, 2014

OHRAB members present 2014 Achievement Award to Greene County Archives, December 16, 2014. L to R: Alan Anderson (County Commissioner), Bob Glaser (County Commissioner), Galen Wilson (OHRAB), Gillian Hill (Archivist/Records Manager), Dawne Dewey (OHRAB), Robin Heise (Public Outreach Archivist), Tom Koogler (County Commissioner).

Read more about this years awardee…

Meeting Schedule for 2015

The Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board will meet quarterly to conduct the regular business of the Board. Additionally, if there are NHPRC grant applications from Ohio agencies and/or organizations, the Board will have a special meeting to review those applications.

  • January 30, 2015
  • April 24, 2015
  • July 17, 2015
  • October 2, 2015 (if necessary for grant review)
  • October 30, 2015