Writing samples
Press Release
Munroe Falls Historical Society
Civil War Mourning Exhibit
Word count 178
The Civil War was one of history’s bloodiest battles of our history. Countless lives were lost in the struggle over the subject of freedom.
With so many dead on both sides, the country was plunged into a state of mourning, quite literally. Our exhibit will explore some of the customs, clothing and practices of Victorian mourning.
Included in our exhibit will be Civil War iron crosses, mourning clothing, mourning jewelry and a restored Victorian hearse.
We will also focus our attention on our newly renovated historical house, built by Owen Brown in 1850. Come see the wonderful updated interior, and view the exhibits on our own local history.
The Munroe Falls Historical Society will have open house from 10-5 on May 21st in celebration of River Days. Our rooms will be staffed with guides to answer any questions about our exhibits.
It’s free! Come and learn about your local history-right at the source!
We are located at 83 Munroe Falls Ave, Munroe Falls, Ohio.
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Reading Summary
Archival class
Kent State University
Summary less than 350 word count
Electronic Recordings Planning in “Collecting Repositories”
Susan Davis’ article tackles the many issues regarding archiving “born digital” materials. Her survey examined academic libraries, historical societies, and other libraries in 2006 to determine the answer to how each entity was handling the digital materials.
Her survey of 302 repositories revealed some interesting results. The greatest number of responses came from the Northeast and Midwest.[1] (These areas were similar to my findings on my survey of the AA listserv.) The questionnaire was only fourteen (14) questions in length.
Eighty-two (82%) percent responded that they thought the issues of archiving digital records was important. However, twenty-nine (29%) percent of the same group responded that they had no official policy in place as to how to handle these records. Twenty-one (21%) percent of the historical societies refused to collect these items.[2]
The study’s conclusion was that there is no clear-cut trend as to how everyone is handling these issues, and most seem to accept each digital item on a cases by case basis. There were various reasons for this-some were reluctant to deal with digital items, some cited staffing and time issues, some were issues dealing with being a smaller unit within a larger unit, and not having clear cut policies, and some, the historical institutions, lack time, money and volunteers and training.
What is clear from this study is that the accepted archival norms in dealing with paper entities are not the same issues as the digital ones.
Archivists must work to solve some of these issues, as the digital repositories and the “clamor” for things to go online will only grow over time. This is a serious issue, and if these records are lost, there could possibly be a huge “hole” in the digital records of history.
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Digital Implementation Plan
Written for an Ohio Arboretum
Name withheld for privacy reasons
Proposal Only
Written July 2011
This Ohio arboretum is a unique entity in the world of educational outdoor venues. It’s large size and well developed land lends itself to becoming a premier digital educational setting for both the public and scholars to enjoy and learn from.
Mission Statement: The digital media of the arboretum is to primarily support staff needs as to research, publication, outreach/publicity and for educational development of programs for Holden’s current and future members.
Digital Media Policies: To be determined.
Storage:
The digital media held by Holden will be preserved to acceptable current standards (or higher) for each format. Media formats will need to be upgraded periodically as new formats arise, or current storage materials come to the end of their lifespan. Note: guidelines for review periods to be determined.
Publication and reproduction rights to all materials owned by the arboretum must adhere to guidelines that will be set by staff and management.
Collaborative educational venues must adhere to guidelines set by the arboretum. (Guidelines to be determined)
Goals:
- Short term-1 year plan
- Long term -5 year plan
Needs:
1. Determine total holdings of slides and photographs ,and other media held onsite in the various departments. Questions to be answered:
- What is owned by the arboretum ?
- Has material been produced in-house by staff or others? (volunteers, etc)
- Need to establish media policy regarding staff produced media
- A general inventory can be done by each department via an in-house inventory sheet.
- Each department to determine if media was produced by staff or outside entities. Label media with creator’s name, if known.
- Each department needs to determine if held media has publicity value; value to support the educational curriculum; value for research and publication; and either historical and/or archival value of Holden’s history. No material is to be disposed of, until a complete inventory can be done of materials.
- Each department to sort media into categories. Guideline list to be developed.
- Each department will prioritize and communicate its needs and goals within the digital educational framework that will be devised.
- Priority of processing media will be given to current needs as to publicity, education, etc., or as management decides.
2. Determine what needs to be preserved, with the input of staff from each department.
- Explore what each department needs/wants for its own digital access
- What archival material needs to be preserved?
- What material needs to be put on the website?
- Educational/research information?- what format?
Future needs/wishes
3. Examine software and current hardware in use
Can arboretum use any current hardware held-upgrade needs?
A. scanners
B. cameras
C. printers
D. other
4. Can hardware at other sources be used?
A. Kent State
B. NEO digital lab
C. Cleveland Public Map Library
D. Cleveland Botanical
E. Tech soup
Determine costs-
A. Is outsourcing an option vs. in-house?
5. Determine the best software to use
A. Past Perfect
B. Archon
C. OhioNet
D. OCLC
E. Content DM
E. Custom
F. Combination
6. Funding
A. Explore sources with The Foundation Center
(Link at Morley PL, Painesville)
B. Local
C. Private / Corporate (Gates, etc.)
C. State
D. Federal
E. Collaboration grant with Cleveland Botanical?
7. If proposal is approved:
- Develop digital media polices and guidelines
- Input from staff as to their needs/wishes
- Determine total holdings
- Determine timeline, resources to be used
- Secure funding
- Purchase hardware/software
- Develop in house finding aids