Massachusetts Historical Records Council Announces Web Site and Workshops
By Greg Pronevitz
The Massachusetts Historical Records Council (MHRC) is an affinity group that seeks to assist the staff and volunteers of public and private historical records repositories to identify, collect, arrange, describe, catalog, preserve, promote, and provide access to these records. The Council further seeks to counsel public officials and records custodians on the stewardship and best practices in these areas. The MHRC was originally formed under the leadership of the Essex National Heritage Commission some ten years ago. In 2007, the Council expanded its mission statewide and invited stakeholders to participate in a planning process that has resulted in a new mission to assist the staff of public and private historical records repositories to identify, collect, arrange and describe, catalog, preserve, promote, and provide access to these records. The Council further seeks to counsel public officials and records custodians on the stewardship and best practices in these areas.
Council members include representatives of the National Archives and Records Administration, Mass. Board of Library Commissioners, Mass. Regional Library Systems: Northeast, Metrowest, and Central, Northeast Document Conservation Center, Essex National Heritage Commission, Historic New England, Massachusetts Historical Society, Mass. Humanities (formerly the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities), Peabody Essex Museum (Salem), local historical societies, and consultants in the areas of archives/historical collections and public relations.
News about the Council is now available at: http://www.nmrls.org/hrc
The Council has announced two workshops for the spring. The same workshop will be held in two different locations to reduce travel time for attendees:
Archives Alive! Promoting Your Archival Collections Workshop
Description:
Historical records and archival collections offer our clearest insight into the past. If thoughtfully promoted, these collections also offer an opportunity for repositories of these records to develop new audiences. In this two-part morning program, participants will learn "How to Get Your House in Order" before you promote your collections from Archives Consultant Laura Lowell, and then "How to Promote Your Collections" from Bonnie Hurd Smith, Public Relations Consultant, who will use her work for the Ipswich Historical Society as a case study in crafting an overall public message and developing a public relations plan to promote archival collections. Workshop attendees are encouraged to bring their project and program ideas to share, as the morning will conclude with a question-and-answer period.
Co-Sponsors:
Mass. Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library System (NMRLS), Metrowest Massachusetts Regional Library System (MMRLS), Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC)
Venues:
Friday, April 11, 2008, 9-Noon
Lexington Historical Society (Lexington Depot)
13 Depot Square (off Mass. Ave.), Lexington
Admission: free
Parking: in nearby lot for a small fee
Register for April 11
---or---
Friday, May 16, 2008, 9:30-12:30
Beverly Public Library
32 Essex Street, Beverly
Admission: free
Parking: free onsite or nearby; meters nearby
Register for May 16
Audience:
Volunteers, staff, and board members of local history repositories (public libraries, town halls, historical museums, historical commissions and societies, and heritage sites) who are, or wish to, work on archives management or the promotion of archives
Members of the general public who might be inspired by this workshop to volunteer at their local historical society, library, etc. to assist with this work if they know more about what needs to be done and how.
